Clean Cooking Alliance, VCMI Launch Carbon Sandbox Guide in Nigeria
The Clean Cooking Alliance and VCMI released a global guide in Lagos to help regulators test carbon market innovations via sandboxes, balancing innovation with integrity. Supported by FSD Africa, it targets clean cooking finance amid rapid sector growth.
Nigeria's Banks Recapitalized But SMEs Still Starved of Capital
Despite a sweeping banking sector recapitalization, Nigeria's small and medium enterprises face a N48 trillion financing gap as banks continue to prioritize short-term lending and government bonds over productive investment.
Rwanda Bank Governor Outlines Open Banking, Virtual Assets Rules
National Bank of Rwanda Governor Soraya Hakuziarimye detailed plans for open banking regulations and virtual assets legislation to boost financial inclusion and innovation. The framework aims to provide regulatory certainty while mitigating risks in digital finance.(187 characters)
IFC Teams Up With Cashi to Boost Chad Digital Payments
The International Finance Corporation has partnered with Sudan-founded fintech Cashi to expand digital payments in Chad, targeting underserved areas with low-connectivity solutions. The initiative aims to bridge financial inclusion gaps where only 10-15% of Chadians access formal banking.
Ghana, UK Launch Digital Corridor to Bridge $7B Trade Gap
Ghana and the UK have kicked off talks on a digital trade finance corridor via the Neofingo network, targeting the West African nation's $7 billion annual trade finance shortfall. The initiative promises to empower SMEs with shared digital tools for global trade.
South Africa Holds Repo Rate at 6.75% Amid Middle East Tensions
The South African Reserve Bank kept its repo rate unchanged at 6.75% on March 26, citing global uncertainty from Middle East conflicts pushing up oil prices and inflation risks. Governor Lesetja Kganyago emphasized stability as inflation hovers near target but growth faces supply shocks.
South Africa's SARB Holds Rates Steady Amid Middle East Crisis
Governor Lesetja Kganyago kept the repo rate at 6.75% as geopolitical tensions and surging oil prices threaten to derail inflation progress, postponing rate cuts previously expected in January.
South Africa's Standard Bank Targets 8-12% EPS Growth Through 2028
Africa's largest lender by assets unveiled ambitious three-year targets at its Capital Markets Day, projecting steady earnings expansion and shareholder returns amid continental expansion.
Mastercard and Scale Simplify African Card Issuance for Fintechs
Mastercard and Scale are removing barriers to card programme launches across five African nations, introducing a unified integration model that streamlines the traditionally complex process of issuing virtual and physical cards for fintech companies and non-financial institutions.
Kenya Lands $2.9B Deals at KIICO 2026 Launch
Kenya announced $2.9 billion in investment pledges at the KIICO 2026 opening, targeting 63,000 jobs in key sectors. President Ruto hailed reforms boosting investor confidence amid green industrialization push.
South Africa's Littlefish Secures $9.5M Series A for African Expansion
South African fintech Littlefish has raised $9.5 million in Series A funding led by Partech to scale its merchant infrastructure platform, already powering services for all three major SA banks. The capital will fuel expansion into over 10 African markets amid booming demand for SME digital tools.
Kenya Becomes First Market for Inverite's Digital Credit Infrastructure Platform
Canadian fintech firm Inverite launches its Digital Credit Infrastructure initiative in Kenya through a partnership with Weritas Technologies, aiming to bridge the gap between digital financial participation and formal credit access in East Africa's most advanced mobile money ecosystem.