SME Finance Push: Nigeria’s Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) pledges N1.3trn in fresh debt and equity over five years, with a target that 40% of lending goes to women-led businesses, aiming to scale credit via partner banks and guarantees. Cost Pressure Watch: A new report warns small firms are facing a “deeply alarming” liquidity crunch as labour, energy, and raw-material costs bite, with many struggling to stay afloat. Energy & Green Deals: Egypt’s MSMEDA says it has funded EGP 1.5bn in green economy projects since 2014 and allocated EGP 600m for a dual-fuel vehicle conversion push to cut emissions and lower operating costs for small operators. Local Skills Pipeline: A Coolum Beach training provider is planning a Civil Academy with schools and industry partners to build construction and civil-works pathways as apprenticeship numbers rise. Trade Cooperation: Vietnam and Canada agreed to shift their joint economic committee into a more action-oriented phase, focusing on trade/investment diversification, energy and green growth, and strategic industries. SME Access to Standards: Ghana’s Standards Authority is under-resourced, forcing regional producers to travel to Accra for certification and delaying exports and local sales. Small Business Survival Signals: UK fish-and-chip shops face closures as owners report squeezed margins and mounting costs, urging VAT relief. Women & Clean Energy Banking: Equity Bank Uganda expands renewable-energy financing with green loans and results-based programmes to help households and small businesses adopt solar and clean cooking.