BRICS MSME push: India says BRICS cooperation can help strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises, tackle financing and tech gaps, and boost inclusive growth across the bloc. Debt squeeze on African SMEs: LEAF Africa warns Africa’s debt “trap” is raising the cost of capital and choking venture and bank lending, citing Ghana’s 2022 default and knock-on effects for start-ups. Banking expansion in East Africa: Absa plans to lift its stake in Kenya’s Absa Bank Kenya to 85% in a R4bn deal, joining a wider South African push to grow SME-linked banking across the region. Digital commerce for Nigerian SMBs: TikTok and the ICC launch Digital Commerce Labs in Lagos to train MSMEs on online sales, content, AI tools and cross-border reach. SME finance in Nigeria: Nigeria’s industrial policy update says $380m was mobilised in 90 days for MSME clusters and an entrepreneurship centre, with plans for a ₦350bn MSME development fund. AI visibility for South African businesses: Juicy Designs rolls out an “AI Visibility” framework to help SMEs get cited in AI search answers like Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT. Displacement as a market: A report estimates Africa’s 43.1m displaced people generate about $27bn a year, but lack formal financial infrastructure—pointing to new investment opportunities in entrepreneurship and supply chains. Energy transition equity question: A commentary argues Africa’s power build-out often benefits large off-takers, leaving smaller manufacturers and township entrepreneurs exposed to tariff and reliability shocks. Cameroon SME showcase: Promote 2026 in Yaoundé brings 236 local SMEs to the trade fair, supported by banks and government financing.