Finance ministers and central bank officials from the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24) group of developing countries have warned that the war in the Middle East is worsening an already fragile global outlook and could slow Africa’s growth momentum in 2026, even if the recently announced ceasefire holds.

The African Development Fund has approved a $3 million grant to support a regional project aimed at strengthening private sector competitiveness across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), in a move designed to deepen regional integration and accelerate trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Commodities trader Trafigura said on Wednesday it had signed a $1 billion prepayment agreement with Gabon, under which it will receive crude oil deliveries over a seven‑year period.