BRICS Summit Wrap: PM Modi warned that the “weaponisation” of technology and critical minerals could block shared prosperity, while BRICS adopted the New Delhi Declaration calling for UN Security Council reform, better global governance, and more support for MSMEs, including trade and payments cooperation. MSME Finance Push: Sidian Bank CEO John Okulo urged Kenya’s capital markets to help close the MSME funding gap by sharing credit risk, as banks face pressure to lend more while protecting asset quality. Construction Working-Capital Gap: South Africa’s construction SMEs risk being left behind in a R1 trillion infrastructure boom because tender-to-payment delays starve them of fast working capital. Liberia SME Dialogue: Liberia’s Central Bank and partners discussed a Line of Credit model aimed at expanding affordable finance for MSMEs tied to viable businesses and job creation. Kenya Trader Crackdown Fallout: Kenya’s crackdown on foreign small-scale traders has triggered panic and xenophobia fears across the region, with Burundians and other EAC traders reporting threats and rushing to regularise or leave. Botswana–China Partnership: Botswana’s justice minister thanked Chinese partners for technology, skills and jobs, urging local entrepreneurs to turn deals into joint ventures and livelihoods. Zimbabwe–UAE Real Estate PPP: A UK-based Zimbabwean-led firm partnered with UAE developer Arada and its foundation under a PPP framework focused on housing, water modernisation and education infrastructure.