Our Scans · Africa · Weekly Summary

• [New] A spokesperson for the South Africa Reserve Bank, which operates the SADC-RTGS, tells Central Banking that Mauritius, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are considering onboarding their currencies, potentially by the end of 2027. Central Banking
• [New] The African Continental Free Trade Area is harmonizing automotive tariffs, which could lead to a unified EV credit system across Africa by 2028. Tianjin Yigang Automobile Sales Co.,Ltd.
• [New] The growth of poultry production faces challenges from infectious diseases, particularly viral infections, which are a significant threat to poultry production in Africa. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The Middle East and Africa are expected to witness gradual growth in the asteroid mining sector, with potential for partnerships and collaborations, especially in space exploration initiatives led by governments in the UAE and South Africa. ReAnIn
• [New] Investments in digital transformation across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region is projected to surpass $74 billion by 2026, helping organizations achieve long-term stability and growth, a new study from the International Data Corporation has found. GITEX GLOBAL
• [New] In Africa, local-language localization could become more viable as streaming services expand mobile distribution and build more cost-effective workflows. Mordor Intelligence
• [New] Perhaps the biggest event will be the total solar eclipse over West Africa, Europe, part of North America and the Arctic. The Four Pillars
• [New] Africa Unlocked is about bringing together decision-makers who can unlock investment, enable trade and build the partnerships required to turn opportunity into measurable economic growth. African farming
• [New] Middle East and Africa are projected to witness steady growth due to the increasing adoption of water-efficient farming technologies, controlled environment agriculture, and climate-resilient agricultural practices in response to harsh climatic conditions. Market Data Forecast
• [New] In the Middle East and Africa, Aon anticipates a slight decrease to 15.3%, attributed to easing inflation. Aon plc Global Media Relations
• [New] Temasek plans to increase defence investments in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, aiming to invest €17 billion (S$ 25 billion) by 2029 due to rising military spending. ST
• Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America offer untapped potential, driven by rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and growing awareness of tea's health benefits. Persistence Market Research
• Radical, even extreme, proposals will emerge in connection with the current crisis in Africa. The Guardian
• Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ships and ports could shut down grain exports via the Black Sea in the near future, pushing up prices and causing hunger in Africa and the Middle East. MarineLink
• Higher than normal rainfall is expected in southern Europe, central Asia and the Horn of Africa and south-eastern South America. The Guardian
• Widespread availability of lenacapavir could prevent 41% of new HIV infections in South Africa, Zimbabwe and western Kenya. The Guardian
• Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco are strengthening smart agriculture initiatives, creating long-term growth opportunities for intelligent irrigation system providers. Straits Research
• For the full year of 2026, LNG supply is forecast to largely be unchanged from 2025 as producers in other regions boost output - including from new LNG projects in North America, Africa and Australia. IEA
• Regional Insights The Asia-Pacific and Middle East / Africa markets are projected to lead in user numbers, contributing substantially to TikTok's global user base. Enrich Labs
• Fastest Growing Region: The Middle East and Africa region is the fastest growing, expected to register a CAGR of approximately 6.8%, supported by rising port investments, Jebel Ali's expanding volumes, and new trade corridor development. Persistence Market Research
• As al-Qaeda affiliates capture massive swaths of territory and coordinate with ethnic separatists, the entire region is becoming increasingly vulnerable to state collapse, threatening coastal West Africa. The Geopolitical Desk
• Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa face limited access to irrigation, agricultural inputs, and modern technologies, combined with weak adaptive capacity and inadequate infrastructure, which drives rising food prices, reduced dietary diversity, and increased risks of hunger and malnutrition. Mapshock
• A steady rise in Middle East and Africa is anticipated over the forecast period owing to the growing investments in digital infrastructure, smart cities, and artificial intelligence adoption. Polaris

Last updated: 10 August 2026