Breaking News Today – Thursday 9 April 2026

African Start-up News Headlines:

• Madica Backs AI-First African Startups Launch Base Africa has reported that Madica (the Flourish Ventures-affiliated pre-seed programme) is refining its funding playbook with a stronger focus on AI-first startups. The programme is standardising its “ticket-plus-support” model and backing early-stage AI ventures across the continent. This reflects growing investor appetite for AI-native solutions in African markets. Madica, has also announced it has invested USD 600 000 across three African startups: Kilimo Fresh (Tanzania), Hakimu (Kenya), and Biovana(Nigeria).
• GITEX Africa 2026 Update: The main focus for startups at GIYTEX currently are the North Star Africa startup programme and the Supernova Challenge that are running, with startups pitching for visibility and potential funding. With over 400 investors present holding a collective $350 billion in assets under management, organisers are maintaining their projection of over $5 billion in potential deals across
• South Africa’s OneBio Venture Studio has secured a ZAR 20 M (USD 1.16 M) grant to accelerate its mission of commercialising African biotech research. The Cape Town based startup, led by Michael Fichardt, Nick Walker, and Gian-Marco Melfi, OneBio operates a hybrid model combining venture capital with hands-on startup creation. Since launching in 2018, it has backed 16 ventures with eight exits.

Business News Today 

Samsung Messaging to Be Discontinued

According to an end of service announcement published on the tech giant’s U.S. support website, Samsung Messages will be discontinued in July 2026. The move would impacted owners of Samsung smartphones and other devices who are being urged to switch to Google Message in the meantime, “to maintain a consistent messaging experience on Android.”All Samsung Galaxy phones run on Google’s Android operating system. To switch to Google Messages, Samsung’s website gives users instructions to download the app from the Play Store, if not already on their phone, and to set this as the default. Some people may also receive an in-app notification to guide them through the process. Samsung advises that switching to Google Messages will provide users access to updates like the latest artificial intelligence features from Google’s Gemini.

Kenya’s Central Bank Halts Rate Cuts

The Central Bank of Kenya held its benchmark interest rate at 8.75% yesterday, hitting the pause button after ten consecutive rate cuts since August 2024. The Committee said their current stance remains appropriate to keep inflation expectations anchored and the exchange rate stable, noting increased risks from recent oil price increases. Governor Kamau Thugge noted that the conflict in the Middle East had disrupted global supply chains, driving energy prices sharply higher and increasing risks to the global economic outlook.

The annual inflation rate in Kenya had moved slightly higher to 4.4% in March from a seven-month low of 4.3% in February but remains below the 5% midpoint of the central bank’s target inflation range. The central bank lowered its growth forecast for this year to 5.3% from a previous projection of 5.5%, saying the Middle ​East conflict posed ​risks to ⁠key sectors of East Africa’s biggest economy. It now forecasts a current account deficit of 3.0% of gross ​domestic product in 2026, higher than a previous projection ​of 2.2%, ⁠also because of the Iran conflict.

Oil Prices Lift Again on Ceasefire Confusion

Brent crude futures jumped nearly 2% toward $97 per barrel this morning, recovering part of yesterday’s trading session’s losses. This while renewed Israeli strikes on Lebanon raised doubts about the durability of a fragile Middle East ceasefire, while the Strait of Hormuz still remains largely obstructed. Iranian media reported that oil tanker traffic through the strait had been suspended following the attacks, amid disputes between Tehran and the American-Israeli side over whether the ceasefire deal extends to Lebanon. A senior Iranian official also stated that three provisions of the ceasefire agreement have already been breached. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said there are indications the strait may begin reopening as he leads a US delegation to Islamabad for direct talks with Iran this weekend. The near shutdown of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global crude and gas flows, has triggered the most severe disruption in oil markets.

Breaking Business and Market News Shorts:  

• Apple’s first foldable iPhone is on track to debut in September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The news follows a report from Nikkei Asia on Tuesday that raised concerns the company’s foldable iPhone could be delayed.
• Google has launched a new dictation App – Google AI Edge Eloquent, that is described as an advanced dictation app engineered to bridge the gap between natural speech and professional, ready-to-use text. Unlike standard dictation software that transcribes stumbles and filler words verbatim, Eloquent utilizes AI to capture your intended meaning.
• China’s Shanghai Composite index dropped by -0.8% to below 4,000 today, while the Shenzhen Component fell -0.3% to 14,000, tracking losses across Asian peers as sentiment turned cautious amid a fragile US–Iran ceasefire. The agreement, announced by US President Trump and tied to a 10-point proposal involving a potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
• The annual inflation rate in Tanzania remained at a nine-month low of 3.2% in March 2026, unchanged from February. Price growth remained unchanged for alcoholic beverages & tobacco (at 2.1%); recreation & culture (at 0.6%) and insurance and financial services ( at 0.3%). Moreover, some CPI categories saw slower increases.
• Angola’s annual inflation rate eased to 12.42% in March 2026, the lowest since July 2023, down from 13.35% in the prior month, maintaining the downward trend observed since August 2024. There were milder price pressures across the CPI categories. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.55%, after a 0.52% increase in the previous month.

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar trading flat against major currencies today. The Greenback is trading against the Euro at 1.16624 while trading against the Pound at 1.33953. The Yen is currently trading at 158.76 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR), is currently trading around the 16.40 mark against the US dollar this morning.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures are trading fairly level this morning, and currently at around $4718.25 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trending -0.7% lower today, with prices currently around $5.7047 per pound
• Silver futures are around -0.3% lower today, and currently trading at around $73.861 per ounce.
• Platinum futures are around -2% lower this morning, and currently trading at $2024.80, While Palladium prices are down by over -2.5% this morning, and currently trading around $1560.50 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are moving upwards today, with prices up by around 2.3% and currently trading at $96.98. WTI is trading over 3% higher at $97.41 currently
• Cocoa futures are down by around -0.6% this morning, with prices currently trading around $3177.23 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are flat today, and currently trading at around $2.9338 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are marginally lower this morning, and trading at around $71 058 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are up slightly lower today, and currently trading around $2187.54
• $Trumpcoin are currently trading lower at around $2.930

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H40 Central African Time) 

African General News Briefs:

• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday received the diplomatic credentials of the new US ambassador Brent Bozell yesterday, as relations between the two countries continue to be strained Bozell, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, took up the post in February but caused controversy with questions he raised on South Africa’s racial policies and court decisions. At a brief ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in the capital, Bozell, alongside his spouse, was welcomed with a guard of honour before he handed over his credentials to Ramaphosa.
• Private sector activity In Kenya, contracted in March for the first time since August 2025. Companies are reporting lower output and fewer new orders, against a backdrop of weaker purchasing power and disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East. According to Stanbic Bank Kenya’s Producer Manufacturing Index (PMI), the gauge fell to 47.7 in March from 50.4 in February, marking a fourth consecutive monthly decline. Any reading below 50 points to a deterioration in business conditions.
• Madagascar has declared a two‑week nationwide state of energy emergency due to severe fuel shortages induced by the US – Iran conflict.The presidency stated that the decision was taken following Tuesday’s cabinet meeting over fears the situation could lead to public disorder.The Indian Ocean island, which relies predominantly on oil to produce the bulk of its electricity, is dependent on fuel imports from the Middle East, with supplies likely to be disrupted for sometime.