African markets and business updates

Providing leadership at the highest level of Access Bank, the flagship banking subsidiary of Access Holdings, is Ifeyinwa Osime, Chairperson of the Board. Her stewardship reinforces the Group's commitment to strong corporate governance, diversity, and long‑term value creation. As Chairperson, she sets the tone for inclusive leadership across Access Bank, ensuring that performance, ethical standards, and people development remain central to the organisation's growth strategy.…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way businesses operate around the world. Much of the discussion about AI focuses on companies in advanced economies, yet an equally important question concerns how quickly the technology is spreading among firms in emerging markets. A recent survey conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) offers new insights into this question by examining AI adoption across companies operating in developing economies.…

Somalia's banking sector, long dormant during decades of conflict, has staged an impressive - yet precarious - comeback. Where once, formality barely existed, the last ten years have seen a rapid expansion of licensed institutions, a quadrupling of both assets and customer deposits, and a marked rise in credit to the private sector. This growth underscores the potential of a country in economic transition and the willingness of entrepreneurs to build from the ground up. Yet for all its dynamism…

Defining what female leadership looks like across the African continent is no easy task, writes Emily Allen. It cannot be reduced to a single career path, industry or personality. Instead, it is reflected in the women whose influence extends far beyond their job titles and leaders who have navigated corporate hurdles to shape industries and redefine success on their own terms. This African Business Women in Leadership 2026 profiles 20 leaders - among them founders, CEOs, innovators…

This African Business Women in Leadership 2026 special profiles 20 women leaders - among them founders, CEOs, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers - who have risen to senior roles business and governance. In doing so, they have reshaped the narrative around women's leadership across the continent and the wider African diaspora. Make sure to read our series introduction , and Parts One , Two , and Three . Priscilla Gathungu CEO…

This African Business Women in Leadership 2026 special profiles 20 women leaders - among them founders, CEOs, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers - who have risen to senior roles in business and governance. In doing so, they have reshaped the narrative around women's leadership across the continent and the wider African diaspora. Make sure to read our series introduction , and Parts One , Two , and Four . Soraya Hakuziyaremye Governor…

This African Business Women in Leadership 2026 special profiles 20 women leaders - among them founders, CEOs, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers - who have risen to senior roles in business and governance. In doing so, they have reshaped the narrative around women's leadership across the continent and the wider African diaspora. Make sure to read our series introduction , and Parts One , Three and Four . Owen Omogiafo CEO and President…

This African Business Women in Leadership 2026 special profiles 20 women leaders - among them founders, CEOs, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers - who have risen to senior roles in business and governance. In doing so, they have reshaped the narrative around women's leadership across the continent and the wider African diaspora. Make sure to read our series introduction , and Parts Two , Three and Four . Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Director-General…

An average of around 50m people will need to be connected to electricity each year between now and 2030 in order to achieve Mission 300's goal of 300m electricity connections by 2030. According to the Rockefeller Foundation, one of the partners supporting the initiative led by the World Bank and African Development Bank, Mission 300 has connected around 44m people since the beginning of its official reporting period in July 2023.…

At the same time as the country's macroeconomic recovery, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has embarked on a wide-ranging series of reforms, particularly in the microfinance, rural and community banking segments, aimed at strengthening the sector for the long term. High levels of inflation and government debt triggered a sovereign debt default in December 2022, with a $3bn three-year IMF bailout needed in May 2023 to stabilise government finances and keep the economy afloat.…