Digital Lending Court Battle (Nigeria): WASPAN has appealed a Federal High Court ruling that upheld the FCCPC’s DEON digital consumer lending regulations, keeping pressure on how online lenders operate. Consumer Credit Push (Nigeria): The FG launched YOUTHCRED for Entrepreneurs, offering N200,000–N2m loans to 500,000 young business owners without collateral, via regulated financial institutions. Cost of Living (South Africa): Inflation hit 5.0% in June, driven mainly by higher fuel and transport costs, with food inflation easing—raising stakes for the next SARB rate decision. Retail Jobs at Risk (South Africa): SACCAWU is asking the Labour Court to halt Pick n Pay’s restructuring, warning up to 22,000 retrenchments. Food Prices Watch (South Africa): Pork prices are expected to fall after earlier ASF-related fears, as the market swings from shortage pressure to surplus. Health Sovereignty (Africa): AU officials urged stronger, locally financed health systems and more domestic production of medicines and health tech. Digital Inclusion (Africa): GSMA urged African governments to cut entry-level smartphone taxes to bring more people online for the AI era. Livestock Potential (Africa): Experts say Africa can unlock untapped livestock value to boost food security and jobs through better investment, infrastructure, and market access. Deposit Protection (Nigeria): NDIC has started paying insured deposits to customers of 46 failed microfinance banks, using BVNs and bank account tracing.