According to Techpoint Africa, 81% of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are optimistic about the upcoming year, driven by their growth ambitions. This positive outlook reflects the resilience and potential of the SME sector in the country as they prepare for future opportunities.

South Africa's private sector experienced marginal growth in June, despite a significant decline in business optimism, which has reached its lowest point in five years. This indicates a contrasting trend between economic activity and the sentiment of business leaders in the country.

According to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), commercial bank credit to Nigeria's manufacturing sector fell by 22.5% in 2025. This decline has raised concerns regarding the potential impact on industrial growth and job creation in the country.

Commercial bank credit to Nigeria's manufacturing sector has decreased by N1.92 trillion, attributed to funding gaps and high lending rates that are hindering access to finance for manufacturers, according to Punch.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has confirmed data from Vanguard Newspaper indicating a 22.5 percent decline in bank credit to manufacturers, amounting to N1.9 trillion. MAN expressed concerns that this decline could negatively impact industrial growth, increase unemployment, and hinder policy implementation, attributing the issue to high interest rates and policy gaps.

Foreign investors' transactions on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) fell by 25.90% month-on-month in May 2026, totaling N183.61 billion, down from N247.78 billion in April. This decline marks the worst performance for foreign investor participation in 2026, despite overall market activity reaching its highest monthly level of the year, according to Nairametrics.