SME Finance Boost (West Africa): EBID signed an €80m deal with Coris Holding to expand lending for SMEs/SMIs across agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains, adding liquidity for more credit. Micro-Enterprise Credit (Uganda): EIB Global and Centenary Bank say 24,000 micro-enterprises have benefited from a €100m, 7-year programme, with women making up 60%+ of beneficiaries and most projects in rural areas. Cross-Border Trade Push (Lesotho): Lesotho MSMEs say they’re ready to sell “Made in Lesotho” goods across AfCFTA after SADC Industrialization Week exposure, aiming to turn leads into contracts. Digital Payments for Traders (Kenya): Airtel Money launched Bizna Wallet for kiosk owners, traders, boda riders and matatu operators, offering free incoming payments up to KSh 250,000 to compete with Safaricom’s merchant wallet. Broadband Value War (Kenya): Zuku cut discounted Home Fibre prices while keeping higher speeds, as Kenya’s fixed broadband market shifts from expansion to affordability-led competition. Energy for Business (South Africa): Mainstream’s 50MW Ilikwa solar PV in Free State reached commercial operation, supplying multiple commercial/industrial customers via flexible power purchase agreements. Cyber Risk (Africa): INTERPOL reports AI is driving 55% of cybercrime in Africa, with losses rising sharply and automation used for fraud, ransomware and identity theft. AI & Work Safety (Nigeria): NSITF urged MSMEs to pair AI adoption with worker protection and social safeguards, warning tech alone won’t build resilient businesses. Water Security (Namibia): Namibia committed N$83.9m to replace coastal pipeline sections to improve reliable, affordable water for coastal small businesses and households.