Breaking News Today – Monday 29 September 2025

Business News Today

Sony Financial Shares Surge 40% in Tokyo Market

Debut Sony Financial shares surged up to 40% in their Tokyo debut on Monday, following a spin-off from Sony, which distributed shares to shareholders as dividends in kind. The finance arm, encompassing banking and insurance products, marked Japan’s first partial spin-off utilising a 2023 tax change and the first direct listing in over two decades. Shares reached a high of 210 yen, trading at 201.6 yen by 10:30 a.m., against an initial listing price of 150 yen. Sony Financial plans to buy back up to 100 billion yen of its shares, while Sony focuses on expanding in entertainment, including games, movies, and music, and in VR and image sensors.

Fujitsu and AIST Partner to Boost Quantum Tech Competitiveness

Fujitsu Limited and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) signed a collaboration agreement on Friday, to enhance Japan’s international industrial competitiveness in quantum technology. The partnership, formalized in Kawasaki and Tsukuba, Japan, aims to leverage combined resources, including quantum computer technologies and facilities, to promote research, development, and personnel exchange. The initiative focuses on developing large-scale superconducting quantum computers, fostering international collaboration, and establishing Japan’s technological superiority globally, contributing to sustainable economic growth through innovative applications in various industries

DRC Announces Cobalt Ban Lift With Export Quotas from October

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s top cobalt producer is lifting its export ban starting October 16th. Congo will now control global supply through strict annual export quotas, the country’s strategic minerals regulator announced Sunday. For the rest of 2025, miners will be allowed to export up to 18,125 tonnes of cobalt, a key material in electric vehicle batteries. Annual caps will rise to 96,600 tonnes for both 2026 and 2027. The ban, in place since February after cobalt prices hit a nine-year low, had triggered force majeure declarations from major producers, including mining giant Glencore. The regulator says 10% of cobalt exports will now be reserved for strategic national projects, and it can buy back any stockpiles that exceed company quotas.

South Africa Faces AGOA Deadline Amid Faltering US Talks

With its trade with its second largest trading partner at stake, South Africa currently risks missing the AGOA deadline as negotiations with the US have faltered, and with the existing agreement expiring tomorrow. Trade Minister Parks Tau is leading efforts to secure a deal, amid concerns over South Africa’s ability to convince the US, especially under President Donald Trump, who imposed a 30% tariff on South African goods in August, citing trade imbalances, cosy relations with the likes of Russia and Iran, and concerns over racial based policies like BEE. Despite recent intensive engagements, negotiations have so far failed to produced an agreement. President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted AGOA’s role in supporting jobs, while experts warn it may be too late, with some suggesting South Africa might need to drop its genocide case against Israel to strike a deal.

Breaking News Shorts: 

• Workers for Toyota in Brazil, yesterday approved a plan for temporary layoffs following extensive storm damage to one of Toyota’s manufacturing plants in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The workers union confirmed that the vote by workers had approved the measures by Toyota to allow a rebuild.
• Kenya’s .KE Domain Registrations Surge driven by a Digital Push. The Communications Authority of Kenya reports a 4.2% increase in .ke domain registrations, reaching 111,313 by June 2025, mainly by companies with 98,808 co.ke domains registered.
• OPEC+ is likely to approve another oil production increase of around 137,000 barrels per day at its meeting next weekend, according to Reuters, with rising oil prices the catalyst the group will seek to use to further regain market share, after loss of market to the likes of India who are buying oil from Russia.
• Isuzu and Toyota Team Up on Next-Gen Fuel Cell Buses with an announcement today, of a new partnership to develop next-generation fuel cell (FC) route buses for commercialisation, with production starting in fiscal year 2026 at J-Bus, Ltd.’s Utsunomiya Plant.
• Gold prices climbed to a record high above $3,800 per ounce this morning, driven by growing expectations of further US rate cuts and a weaker dollar. Data released Friday, showed the US PCE inflation data came in line with expectations, reinforcing bets that the Federal Reserve could continue easing policy later this year. 

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets today indicate the US dollar weakening with the Euro trading against the US dollar at 1.17328 while the Pound is trading at 1.34389. to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 148.95 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) has gained against a weaker dollar r and is currently at R17.28 to the US dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures prices are almost 1% higher today, hitting a fresh all-time-high, and are currently trading around $3805.88 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trading upwards this morning, with prices currently at $4.7518
• Silver futures prices have surged by over 1.5% today to hit a 14-year high, and is currently trading around $46.798
• Platinum futures are trading over 2% higher today, and are currently trading at $1624.00, While Palladium prices are also trading 2% higher this morning and currently at $1309.50
• Brent crude oil prices are currently trending lower today, and currently at $69.78, with WTI trading at $65.31
• Cocoa futures are currently marginally hiugher today, and trading around $6936.00 per ton. 
• Coffee futures have strengthened slightly today, and are currently at $378.37

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are currently trending lower today, and currently trading at $111651 
• Ether prices have dropped by -0.8% today and are currently trading around the $4106 mark
• $Trumpcoin is trending lower today, and currently trading around $7.60

(All prices quoted at approximately 08H30 Central African Time) 

Other Headline News in Africa Today

Seychelles to hold Presidential run-off Election

There will be a run-off presidential election in Seychelles. With no outright winner in Saturday’s election, the country will hold a rerun vote between the two main contenders, the electoral authority announced yesterday. Opposition candidate, Patrick Herminie received 48.8% of the vote, while the incumbent, Wavel Ramkalawan, garnered 46.4%, according to official results. According to the Seychelles election charter, a candidate needs to win more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner. The date for the rerun election is yet to be announced.