Banking Security in Kenya: Kenya’s regulator says complaints tied to SIM-based identity and digital financial services jumped sharply, with fraud and cybercrime escalations rising as mobile numbers function like banking credentials. Payments Innovation: Botim and Mastercard launched an all-in-one “Mastercard One Credential” card in the UAE and across EEMEA, letting users switch between prepaid and credit funding through one digital interface. Nigeria Capital Markets: Nigeria revived plans to float NNPC on the NGX, with Tinubu reiterating the government’s intent to list the company in full, adding fresh optimism to a strong-performing exchange. Crypto Tax Pressure: Nigeria’s digital-asset industry warned new virtual-asset tax rules could push activity offshore, arguing the framework taxes money movement rather than profit. Digital Finance Growth: Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem is said to have become one of Africa’s largest, but lawmakers flagged rising risks around cyber resilience, fraud and consumer protection. Trade & Finance: Afreximbank highlighted that Africa’s trade growth still faces a major trade-finance gap, while SADC moves to simplify border procedures to cut costs for small traders. Public Debt Discipline (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe says it will stop borrowing for budget support and instead fund revenue-generating infrastructure projects. Kenya Supply Chain Strain: A supply chain crisis is testing Kenyan businesses even as demand and confidence improve, with inflation and operational constraints still biting. Environmental Risk (Uganda/Lake Victoria): Research links Uganda’s oil buildout to wetland degradation in the Lake Victoria catchment, raising cross-border ecological concerns.