Business
South Africa pushes export diversification
At the Midrand Export Symposium (Oct. 14–16), South Africa announced plans to reduce reliance on a narrow group of trading partners by expanding exports across Africa and beyond. Buyers from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi engaged with South African firms in sectors including ICT, agro‑processing, and mining machinery tralac trade law centre.
East African Business Summit in Nairobi
Over 600 business leaders convened in Nairobi (Oct. 16–17) under the theme “Promoting Private Sector‑Driven Regional Integration.” The summit emphasized the role of private investment in advancing the East African Community’s integration agenda HapaKenya.
South Africa’s rand steadies ahead of FATF review
The rand firmed to 17.31/$ as investors awaited inflation data and the country’s possible removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list during its Oct. 22–24 plenary Reuters | MSN.
Technology
Ugandan students shine at GirlCode Hackathon
A Makerere University team placed third continent‑wide at the Absa GirlCode Hackathon 2025, developing Teleka, a student savings app. Tanzanian and South African teams took first and second place The Independent.
Moonshot 2025 tech summit in Lagos
Africa’s leading innovation conference, Moonshot by TechCabal, drew thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Media partner UrbanGeekz highlighted the event’s role in amplifying African tech stories globally TMCnet.
African tech funding rebounds
After a slowdown in 2024, African startups raised $426.9 million in Q2 2025, a 50% rebound from the previous quarter, signaling renewed investor confidence FurtherAfrica.
Human Rights
Kenyan activists missing in Uganda
Civil society groups, including Amnesty International, petitioned President Museveni over the disappearance of two Kenyan activists allegedly abducted while monitoring opposition rallies in Uganda The Standard.
UN condemns killings in Sudan’s El Fasher
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk denounced the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for killing at least 53 civilians in El Fasher between Oct. 5–8. The RSF has been accused of indiscriminate attacks on IDP shelters, hospitals, and mosques ZAWYA.
Banjul hosts NANHRI forum
The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions convened in The Gambia, urging a rights‑based approach to Africa’s development under the theme “Pathways to Dignity, Accountability, and Inclusion.” The Point
Geopolitics
Ghana’s Speaker Bagbin elected IPU Africa Chair
Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin was unanimously elected Chair of the Africa Geopolitical Group of the Inter‑Parliamentary Union (IPU) during its 151st Assembly in Geneva, giving Ghana a central role in parliamentary diplomacy DailyGuide Network | MSN Prime News Ghana.
Trump eyes Africa trade deals
Analysts note that U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing a major Africa trade initiative, as Washington seeks to counter China’s entrenched influence across the continent Newsweek.
AfCFTA and Gulf investments reshape economies
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is projected to boost intra‑African trade by 52% by 2035, while Gulf states have invested over $53 billion in African infrastructure and energy projects since 2023 The African Exponent.
Security
South Africa border security under strain
Parliamentary defence committees warned that the Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe is operating with “minimal control,” citing underfunded patrols and shortages of surveillance equipment NewZimbabwe.com.
Congo–Rwanda peace deal rollout
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda began implementing joint security measures in October under a U.S.‑brokered peace accord aimed at reducing M23 rebel activity in eastern Congo Africanews.
ACLED conflict update
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reported rising insurgent violence in Nigeria’s Borno State, renewed M23 clashes in eastern DRC, and RSF gains in Sudan’s El Fasher ACLED.
Summary
Africa’s October 2025 landscape is marked by economic diversification efforts, tech innovation rebounds, human rights crises in Sudan and Uganda, geopolitical shifts with Ghana’s parliamentary diplomacy and U.S.–China rivalry, and persistent security challenges from Nigeria to the Great Lakes.
