Digital Payments for SMEs: Access Bank Ghana and Visa launched Visa Accept, a virtual POS inside the Access Bank mobile app so nano and small merchants can take card payments on their phones—creating transaction records that can help formal credit access. Energy Access Reality Check: A Nigeria-focused report says 22 LGAs’ headquarters and 20,000+ communities still lack electricity, with 85m Nigerians facing unreliable grid power—calling out claims that don’t measure real service delivery. Electricity Subsidy Pushback: Atiku Abubakar warns Nigeria’s planned electricity subsidy phase-out from 2027 could deepen hardship for households and businesses, arguing palliatives can’t fix the cost drivers. SME Finance for Exports: Afreximbank extended $10m to Azania Bank to on-lend to Tanzanian export SMEs, targeting working capital and expansion for agriculture, manufacturing, trade, logistics and value-added exports. SME Scaling Gap in South Africa: The State of SMME 2026 report says firms are surviving but struggle to scale; access to customers is the top growth blocker, with markets and digital tools also key. Togo SME Research Priorities: Togo’s chamber mapped seven sectors where businesses want research, flagging shared needs like financing, IP, standards, market access and stronger links between researchers and firms. Energy Storage & Microgrids: Sunwoda and Acelerex plan integrated battery management plus smart microgrid controls to cut diesel dependence and expand reliable power for clinics, homes and businesses. Counterfeit Crackdown in Zimbabwe: Bulawayo pushes tougher anti-counterfeit enforcement and incentives to revive industry, citing counterfeit and smuggling as a major drag on local manufacturers. Local Business Climate Funding: A policy piece argues Africa should lean more on domestic capital pools—pensions, insurance and sovereign wealth—to reduce reliance on shrinking aid.