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Nigeria and the United States have been working on a new mining agreement that can help boost collaboration within Nigeria’s critical-minerals industry. The two nations have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This move is based on previous talks that took place between Dele Alake – Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development – and Keith Heffern – Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja.

South Africa has inked an agreement with the New Development Bank (NDB) for a loan of $1 billion that will help upgrade infrastructure and implement institutional reforms at eight metropolitan municipalities in the country. The deal comes in light of the Metro Trading Services Reform Program initiated by the government, aimed at ensuring the delivery of sustainable services. The deal was made public by the National Treasury of South Africa on September 15, 2026.

Protesters have hit the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over proposed constitutional changes which many see as enabling President Felix Tshisekedi to run for a third-term presidency in 2028. Police used tear gas and live shots to disperse the protesters in the capital, Kinshasa, while protests were also seen in Lubumbashi and Uvira, among others.

South Africa’s rand experienced renewed pressure against the U.S. dollar in September 2026 due to soaring oil prices, a rising greenback, and falling precious metal prices – all of which resulted in another shock to the nation. This news is especially significant as South Africa is a net importer of oil and has a strong dependence on imported energy. This pressure takes place as Brent crude oil stays above the $100 mark due to continuous disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East war.

Seven women’s deaths have been reported in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, from July onwards, and South African police are investigating the deaths and offering a R400,000 reward to help the investigation. The investigation has become more serious due to another body found on September 15. The recent developments are raising concerns about a possible serial killer in action; however, police have denied that they have established the connection between all eight killings.

President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, have approved efforts aimed at finalizing a new support programme of the IMF in the wake of previously misreported public debt in the country. This comes after an agreement between the staff of the International Monetary Fund and the authorities of Senegal on a three-year support program of $2.2 billion.

Sudan’s civil war is getting into an even more dangerous phase, characterized not only by displacement of people, atrocities, and different armed factions but also by accusations of chemical weapons utilization.

The price of Brent crude has returned to over $107 a barrel following attacks on Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. As of September 15, Brent crude was trading at $107.35, while the Saudi East-West pipeline remains closed following an attack. This pipeline serves as an alternative means to move millions of barrels of oil without having to use Hormuz. For Africa, the issue extends beyond just the price of crude oil.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has started the largest initial public offering (IPO) that allows retail investors to get a part of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects. 4.1 billion shares of the refinery will be offered at a price of ₦525 each, which means that the deal should bring ₦2.15 trillion (approximately $1.6 billion) if sold out. The IPO started on September 14 and will last until October 13, after which trading can start on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) in late November.

Sudan’s war has caused the displacement of 14 million people, and almost 20 million are suffering from hunger. At the same time, there is a severe shortage of international funds that threatens to collapse humanitarian activities in the country. This comes in the wake of continuing reductions in global humanitarian aid. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that the funding for Sudan has been reduced to only $206 million this year against $645 million last year.