SEZ Push for Jobs in Kenya: DP World and Mombasa investor Suleiman Shahbal signed a Special Economic Zone deal worth over US$100m, targeting 7,972 direct jobs and boosting the port-and-logistics hub model. Trade Diversification for SMEs: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged Nigeria and other African economies not to panic over a US 12.5% tariff, stressing value-added non-oil exports and stronger SME growth. Fraud Crackdown in Nigeria: CBN data shows BVNs flagged as fraud-linked jumped to 13,117 in 2025 as banks tightened monitoring, while consumer credit fell for the first time since 2019. Regional MSME Relief in West Africa: ECOWAS Parliament backed harmonised customs and business rules plus affordable finance to cut non-tariff barriers and help MSMEs scale across borders. AfCFTA Step Forward: Somalia signed into law to join AfCFTA, clearing the way to ratify and give local firms wider market access. Local Business Spotlight in Eswatini: Standard Bank’s Luju Festival in Malkerns is framed as a market-access engine for small creative businesses, drawing visitors from across Africa. Community Entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe: A Harare man turned discarded plastic into a growing ornamental plant business, showing how waste can become livelihoods. Digital Finance & Inclusion in Nigeria: A Lagos fintech roundtable focused on responsible regulation, cybersecurity, and collaboration to expand access to savings, credit and investing via mobile. Women’s Economic Empowerment: South Africa’s Women’s Month 2026 launch highlighted women-led trade and business market access. Energy Access Reality Check: A global energy report warns that renewable progress still leaves millions without reliable electricity—an SME and household productivity drag.