Breaking News Today – Tuesday 18 August 2026

African Start-up News Headlines:

• Kenyan startup JentaHub has launched a verified talent marketplace that connects businesses around the world with verified African professionals. Every professional who joins the platform goes through a verification process designed to confirm their identity and academic qualifications before they can offer professional services to customers. The project was self-funded, and JentaHub has already onboarded its first users, integrated leading global earning partners through Jenta-Gigs, and established the foundation for strategic partnerships that will accelerate future growth. The startup’s primary focus is Africa, yet the businesses, clients, and organisations it serves are global.
• South African technology subscription startup Rentoza has entered a process of voluntary business rescue. The business crisis stems from cash flow problems and an inability to secure new funding. Operational warning signs appeared earlier via delayed customer deliveries and refunds. A business rescue practitioner is now in the process of restructuring the company, with a formal rescue plan due in September. Last year, customers increasingly complained about delayed deliveries and slow refunds after making upfront subscription payments.

Business News Today 

Airtel Africa Launches Africa’s First Commercial Starlink Mobile Service

African Telecoms group Airtel Africa, has become the first operator on the continent to commercially launch Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service, starting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Compatible smartphones can now connect directly to Starlink satellites for SMS and light data (including WhatsApp) in areas without terrestrial coverage. The service requires no special hardware. It follows a 2025 partnership and successful tests in Kenya. Airtel plans to expand the offering across its 14 African markets, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a significant step in closing connectivity gaps in remote regions.

Nigeria’s Inflation Eases to 15.43%

Headline inflation rate in Nigeria, fell to 15.43% in July 2026, down from 15.91% in June and sharply lower than the 24.94% recorded in July 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Month-on-month inflation also moderated to 1.57%. However, food inflation rose to 20.31%, driven by higher prices of rice, yam, plantain and other staples. Core inflation (excludes energy and agriculture products)eased to 14.97%. The data provides some relief for the Central Bank of Nigeria and strengthens the case for potential monetary policy easing, though elevated food prices continue to pressure households and businesses. Fuel costs

Chevron Discovers Major Oil and Gas Condensate offshore Angola

Chevron has announced a significant oil and gas condensate discovery at the 105-4X exploration well in Block 0, offshore Angola. The well encountered more than 600 metres of hydrocarbon column, including over 90 metres of net pay in high-quality reservoir rock. Chevron (39.2% interest) operates the block alongside Sonangol, TotalEnergies and Azule Energy. The company is assessing a potential tie-back to existing nearby infrastructure for a lower-cost development path. The find strengthens Chevron’s Sub-Saharan Africa exploration portfolio.

Breaking Business and Market News Shorts:  

• India’s BSE Sensex edged down to about 0.4%, or 281 points, to 77,450 today, extending recent losses as investors reacted to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Sentiment weakened after the US-Iran ceasefire expired without a new agreement, sending Brent crude above $91 per barrel and fuelling concerns over higher inflation
• Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola has acquired an additional 147.7 million shares in First HoldCo (parent of First Bank) for about ₦20.7 billion at ₦140 per share. The purchase lifts his total holding to approximately 12.05 billion shares, or 27.49% of the company. Otedola has steadily increased his stake throughout 2026 and remains the largest individual shareholder.
• South African Retail group, Spar, Group’s chairman and deputy chairman resigned with immediate effect yesterday, amid boardroom tensions and strained relations with franchisees and industry stakeholders. The retailer’s shares fell nearly 6% following the news. Spar is already navigating a financial turnaround after a sharp drop in interim earnings.
• Copper futures dropped to around $6.55 per pound this morning, hitting a two-week low as investors locked in profits after the metal surged to record highs earlier this month. The broader metals market also remained under pressure from rising oil prices, which kept inflationary risks and interest rate concerns in focus.
• Gold eased below $4,400 an ounce today, reversing earlier gains amid a broad pullback across the metals market as investors locked in profits following a strong rally. Metals also faced pressure from rising oil prices, which kept inflationary risks and interest rate concerns in focus. 

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar marginally stronger today. The Greenback is trading against the Euro at 1.15716 while trading against the Pound at 1.35369 The Yen is currently trading at 159.68 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR), is currently trading around the 16.25 mark against the US dollar this morning.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures are trading -0.4% lower this morning, and currently trading at around $4394.95 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are around 0.5% lower this morning, with prices currently around $6.5704 per pound
• Silver futures are up by 1.6% today, and currently trading at around $65.752 per ounce.
• Platinum futures are down -1.47% this morning, and currently trading at $1763.20 while Palladium is -1.2% lower today, and currently trading around $1320.50 per ounce.
• Lithium prices have seen a 0.3% lift today and currently at CNY153 500
• Brent crude oil prices are trending 0.5% higher today, and currently trading around $91.31 with WTI trading lower at $85.10 currently
• Cocoa futures are surging, up around 5% today, and currently trading at $6069 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are up around 1.1% today, and currently trading at around $3.1790 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are down by -0.53% today, currently trading at around $64 145 per coin.
• Ether prices are trending -0.93% lower this morning, and currently trading around $1894.74

(All prices as quoted at approximately 07H55 Central African Time) 

African General News Briefs:

• A Malian court has sentenced Television and radio commentator Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known by the alias Ras Bath, to a seven year jail term on Monday. Bathily is a prominent broadcaster and influencer in Mali, who had criticised the ruling military junta. The sentences are the latest issued to Malians critical of the unstable west African country’s military government, which came to power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Ras Bath, was convicted by the court in Bamako of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state, alongside Rokia Doumbia, a noted campaigner known online as “Rose, the cost of living”.
• Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has extended his lead in the presidential election, with early official results showing him securing roughly 60% of the vote against main challenger Brian Mundubile. The outcome, if confirmed, would give Hichilema a second term. Markets and investors are watching closely, as his administration has focused on debt restructuring, mining sector reforms and economic stabilisation. Opposition parties have raised concerns about the process, adding a note of political uncertainty.