African markets and business updates

Ghana's push to become an industrial hub in the West African sub-region has been given a fillip with the launch of a $40m pasta manufacturing plant by Olam Agri at Kpone, near Tema in the country's Greater Accra Region. The 60,000 capacity factory is expected to produce up to 40% of Ghana's pasta needs. Currently, that demand is met entirely by imports, with an estimated bill of $140m between 2021 and 2024, second only to Togo on the continent. Baibhav Biswas, Olam Agri's country head…

Nigeria, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat on Monday signed the hosting agreement for the 2027 Intra-African Trade Fair ( IATF 2027 ) to be hosted in Lagos. The signing ceremony took place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos. Held biennially…

The 18th Africa Energy Indaba, held from 3-5 March 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, concluded with strong participation from policymakers, ministers, investors, utilities and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond. Widely regarded as the continent's leading energy forum, the Indaba once again served as a platform for high-level dialogue, investment engagement and practical discussion about how to secure Africa's energy future.…

Nigeria has emerged as the epicentre of Africa's startup unicorn ecosystem. Despite strong competition from markets such as Kenya, Egypt and South Africa, Nigeria has produced more billion-dollar startups than any other country on the continent. Companies including Flutterwave, OPay, Interswitch, Moniepoint and Andela have helped position the country as Africa's most dynamic technology hub. This leadership has not occurred by chance. A combination of market scale, evolving regulation…

In the months following his re-election in 2024, US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed that trade wars were easy to win. Since his return to the White House, he has aggressively pursued tariffs, which he viewed not only as "the most beautiful word" but also as an all-purpose tool to reduce US trade and current-account deficits, boost inbound foreign direct investment, and revive the declining US manufacturing base. In so doing…

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…