African markets and business updates

The number of confirmed Ebola cases has passed 8,000 for the first time since the current outbreak began, according to the Congolese authorities. “While we are beginning to see a reduction in transmission in some areas, the number of cases remains high for this outbreak,” Dr Janet Diaz of WHO ’s Health Emergencies Programme told reporters in Geneva. With 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths, the case fatality rate is more than 48 per cent in 63 affected health zones in seven out of DRC's 26 provinces. “We know that for Ebola disease, early access to care can significantly improve chances of survival,” Dr Diaz said.…

NNPC Limited says its profit after tax rose by 39 per cent to N7.2 trillion in 2025, from N5.4 trillion in 2024, driven by improved operational efficiency, while crude oil and condensate production reached a five-year high of 1.77 million barrels per day.

Nigerian Economic Summit to chart the next phase of Nigeria's economic transformation. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has announced the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #32), scheduled to be held on 26-27 October 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, under the theme: "Growth that Works: Delivering Jobs, Productivity and Shared Prosperity." At a critical moment in Nigeria's economic journey, the Summit will convene policymakers, business leaders, development partners, investors, civil society organisations, and young Nigerians to chart a practical pathway from economic stabilisation to investment-led growth, productive enterprise, quality jobs, and broad-based prosperity.…

The first Diamond Capital Convention ended in Douala on September 25 with financial market operators calling for stronger financial education, more investment products, and greater use of capital markets to finance businesses and economies across Central Africa. Organized by Almasi Capital & Advisory from September 23 to 25, the three-day event brought together nearly 3,000 participants, according to the organizers. Discussions focused on financial education, legal and operational security in financial markets, and ways to channel more savings into productive investment.…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to tighten oversight of its mining sector by requiring major mining companies to undergo annual audits on subcontracting practices and compliance with local-content laws starting in 2027, a move aimed at boosting business opportunities for Congolese-owned firms. Beleshayi Kasanda Ted, director general of the Authority for the …

Cameroon and Indonesia will hold their second business forum in Yaounde in October, bringing together businesses from both countries to explore partnerships in agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and industrial development. The meeting is being organized on the sidelines of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), scheduled for October 14-18, 2026, at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition in BSD City, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. Cameroon’s Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) announced the forum in a recent release calling on Cameroonian companies, cooperatives, employers’ organizations, and professional bodies to participate.…

Helios Towers, a telecommunications infrastructure company, and child rights organisation UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) have announced a multi-year partnership to expand internet connectivity and digital learning access for children and young people across Africa.

Cameroon plans to expand tourism promotion activities to all 10 regions starting in 2027, with each region expected to host a day marking World Tourism Day and a week dedicated to tourism-related activities. Tourism and Leisure Minister Gabriel Mbairobe announced the plan during Cameroon’s World Tourism Day celebrations at the National Museum in Yaounde. The event was held as part of the country’s inaugural National Tourism Week, which brought together tourism operators, public officials, diplomats and other industry stakeholders. The initiative would broaden the geographic reach of activities that were concentrated in Yaounde during the first edition.…

Between March and June, Kenya lost roughly 34,000 mobile money agents. The total number of registered agents dropped by 5.6%, falling from 602,470 to 568,463 in just three months. Mobile money shops were once among Kenya’s simplest small businesses, built around customers depositing, withdrawing, and sending cash. Now, the network is shrinking as more Kenyans transact directly from their phones. Data released by Kenya’s tech regulator, the Communications Authority (CA), reveals a sharp structural shift in the mobile financial ecosystem. Between March and June, the country lost roughly 34,000 mobile money agents.…

Nigerian billionaire and Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, Femi Otedola, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the measures have placed Nigeria’s economy on a path of sustainable growth.