Business
South Africa Pushes Automotive Growth Through AfCFTA
At the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), South Africa positioned its automotive industry as a driver of continental industrialisation. The sector contributes nearly 5% of GDP and sustains close to 500,000 jobs. Officials emphasized that the AfCFTA should be seen not only as a tariff-reduction tool but as a platform to expand market access for vehicles and components across Africa.
East African Business Summit Targets Regional Integration
Over 600 business leaders gathered in Nairobi for the East African Business and Investment Summit, focusing on SME growth, manufacturing, and trade in services. The summit highlighted opportunities for deeper EAC–EU trade ties and called for stronger private sector involvement in regional integration.
Technology
African Tech Startups Rebound With 50% Funding Surge
After a difficult 2024, African startups raised $426.9 million in Q2 2025, a 50% increase from the previous quarter. Growth was strongest in fintech, climate tech, and logistics, signaling renewed investor confidence and a maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Moonshot 2025 Expands Africa’s Innovation Conversation
The Moonshot by TechCabal conference in Lagos drew thousands of innovators, investors, and policymakers. Experts stressed the need for data-driven research to unlock Africa’s next wave of innovation, urging a shift from imitation to original problem-solving.
Human Rights
UN Condemns Civilian Killings in Sudan’s El Fasher
UN High Commissioner Volker Türk condemned the killing of at least 53 civilians in El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces earlier this month. He described the attacks on IDP camps, hospitals, and mosques as a “wanton disregard for civilian life,” calling for accountability under international law.
AfCFTA Secretariat Drafts Business and Human Rights Policy
At the African Business and Human Rights Forum in Lusaka, the AfCFTA Secretariat announced work on a continental policy to harmonize protections for communities affected by trade and investment. The initiative aligns with the AU’s 2025 theme of justice and reparations.
Geopolitics
African Markets Slide Amid Global Tensions
The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index reported the steepest decline since 2021, with 19 of 29 markets showing weaker performance due to geopolitical volatility, liquidity challenges, and foreign exchange reforms. Analysts warn of reduced investor confidence if instability persists.
Türkiye–Africa Forum Deepens Economic Ties
The Türkiye–Africa Business and Economic Forum in Istanbul reaffirmed commitments to Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda, focusing on industrialisation, regional integration, and resilience against global supply chain disruptions.
Ethiopia’s Su-35 Fighter Jet Deal Reshapes East Africa
Leaked documents revealed Ethiopia’s acquisition of six Russian Su-35 fighter jets, a move analysts say could alter the regional balance of power with Egypt and Sudan. The deal underscores Addis Ababa’s push to modernize its military amid rising tensions.
Security
South Africa’s Border Security Under Fire
Parliamentary committees warned that the Beitbridge border post is operating with “non-existent security.” The SANDF has only 15 of the 22 companies needed for patrols, with shortages in personnel, vehicles, and surveillance drones, leaving borders vulnerable to illegal crossings.
Insurgent Violence Escalates in Nigeria and DRC
According to ACLED, insurgent clashes in Nigeria’s Borno State and the DRC’s eastern provinces reached their highest levels in a year. The Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) has intensified operations, while Sudan’s RSF gained ground in El Fasher, worsening humanitarian conditions.
Benin Faces Rising Jihadist Threats
Two coordinated attacks in northern Benin earlier this month signaled a dangerous expansion of jihadist activity near the borders with Nigeria and Niger. Analysts warn that Benin risks becoming the latest frontline in the Sahel’s widening insurgency.
