Agribusiness & Finance: Matabeleland South’s 68th Agriculture Show in Gwanda (Aug 20-22) is set to connect farmers with financiers, agribusinesses and tech providers under “Unlocking New Opportunities through Collaboration,” aiming to boost market access, financing and climate resilience. Regional Trade Reform: Zimbabwe’s COMESA chairmanship push is focused on practical steps—removing trade barriers, modernising border posts and lifting intra-COMESA trade from low levels. Real Estate Investing: ZimReal’s 6th property forum (Aug 26) highlights REITs and listed property as a growing institutional-investor route, supported by ZSE/VFEX reforms. Fintech & Capital Markets: Standard Bank is in early talks about taking a stake in Nigeria’s OPay ahead of a potential US IPO targeting about $4bn valuation. Cybersecurity for Banks: A Nigerian cyber expert warns AI-driven attacks are rising and urges banks/fintechs to be proactive, citing new autonomous testing tools. Tax & Investor Risk: PwC says Nigeria’s 2026 Capital Gains Tax reforms lift the rate to 30% and expand “indirect transfer” taxation, raising cross-border deal risk for investors. South Africa Education Oversight: The Public Protector says NSFAS improperly funded 40,000 students to the tune of R5.1bn, calling for a better benchmarking model. Payments & Trade Flows: Equity Bank’s regional network is helping Uganda’s UKI Uganda reduce cross-border payment delays and costs across East and Central Africa. Nature-Positive Lending: Ecobank’s sustainability team links lending enforcement to behaviour change, spotlighting its $450m sustainable agriculture and natural capital bond. Policy & Elections: Nigeria’s presidential campaign kicks off amid cost-of-living pain and security concerns, with Tinubu facing a fractured opposition.