Air travel connectivity: Emirates and South African Airways expanded their codeshare, adding nine routes (including Johannesburg–Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth) and linking to Kinshasa, Gaborone, Windhoek, Lusaka, Harare and Victoria Falls, with single-ticket travel set to deepen across central and southern Africa. Trade & jobs skills: Western Cape launched a free online export course with 518 registrations and 70+ completions so businesses can better access international markets. Fuel market fairness: Nigeria’s NMDPRA proposed anti-competition rules to tackle fuel price-fixing and artificial scarcity, including bans on collusive pricing, market allocation and bid rigging. Consumer protection push: Ghana’s ICEDEG Africa urged passage of a Consumer Protection Bill to strengthen enforcement and boost confidence for SMEs and shoppers. Regional energy build-out: Tanzania and Uganda signed with Vitol Bahrain to develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub, aiming to reshape East Africa’s fuel trade and security. Inflation update: Ghana’s inflation eased to 4.6% in July as food prices cooled and the exchange rate stayed steadier. Manufacturing pressure: South Africa’s factories ran below full capacity in May due to weaker demand and raw material shortages, though food and beverages held up best. Aviation fuel milestone: Dangote Refinery supplied Europe with record jet fuel volumes, keeping Nigeria in the top spot for imported aviation fuel to Europe. Crypto tax backlash: Nigeria’s new virtual asset tax guidelines drew resistance from industry groups, who warn the design could tax transfers rather than profits and push activity offshore.