Breaking News Today - Wednesday 9 September 2026

African Start-up News Headlines:

Tether AI Research has released open-source translation models covering 19 African languages that run entirely on smartphones and laptops without an internet connection. Unusually for a corporate AI announcement of such developments, the underlying research has also been accepted for presentation at EMNLP 2026, the leading peer-reviewed conference in natural language processing. Tether AI says its smallest AfriSLM model, with 800 million parameters, has outperformed Qwen3.5-122B-A10B, TranslateGemma-27B and NLLB-3.3B across the FLORES-200, BOUQuET and SMOL translation benchmarks. Those are models between roughly four and 150 times larger
Nigerian startup Shuttlers, the technology-enabled shared mobility platform, has launched a new service that offers commuters a scheduled and shared ride from doorstep to destination, with the option to book privately. The startup has now announced the launch of Shuttlers Pod, a scheduled, door-to-door car service for commuting to work, events, and other destinations across Lagos. Shuttlers Pod is designed for commuters who need a comfortable ride at an affordable fare for a planned journey. Shuttlers has completed over 10 million journeys and has more than 11,000 daily riders, and around 430 buses operating daily. The mobility startup is building the digital platforms and infrastructure for the future of urban mobility in Africa.

Headline News Today

Democratic Republic of Congo to Build Geological Data System

The Democratic Republic of Congo is developing a state controlled geological data system that will provide geological data underpinning billions of dollars in mining exploration. The DRC is looking to hold more influence over the development of its vast mineral wealth. Under a 180-million-dollar contract with Spanish company Xcalibur, Congo is mapping its territory and digitising historical geological records to build a national database of critical mineral resources. The development could give Kinshasa greater leverage in negotiations with mining companies and help attract investment by reducing the risks associated with mineral exploration.

Inflation Rate in Angola Continues its Downward Momentum

The annual inflation rate in Angola has dropped further to reach 8.78% in August 2026. This print was down from 9.33% in July, marking the lowest inflation rate in eleven years. It extends the ongoing downward trend seen since mid-2024. The moderation in inflation has been attributed mainly to the relative stability of the kwanza and improvements in the domestic supply of essential goods. Price growth eased for several CPI categories, including food & non-alcoholic beverages (9.94% vs 10.40% in July); clothing & footwear (6.20% vs 6.30%); housing & utilities (8.24% vs 10.17%); miscellaneous goods & services (6.02% vs 6.38%) and education (19.33% vs 25.24%).

South African Energy Regulator Pushes for Above Inflation Increases

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has gazetted the consultation document for Eskom’s proposed 8.8% price increases for 2027, which are now open for public comment. The price adjustments proposed for 2027/28, which will take effect on 1 April 2027, and reflects an average increase of 8.8%. This set against a current annual inflation rate around 4% and the GDP growth rate - now a contraction rate of -0.2%. Stakeholders can comment on the document until 2 October 2026, after which it will collate all comments and take them into consideration when making the decision.

Breaking Business and Market News Shorts:

Brent crude prices have lifted above $99 a barrel this morning, reaching its highest level in nearly seven weeks and approaching the key $100 threshold after Iran said it had struck two American vessels and eight oil tankers in the Gulf of Hormuz. The escalation heightened concerns over further disruptions to global oil supplies.

Cocoa futures traded below $6,000 per tonne this morning, hitting a three week low, on profit-booking and signs of improving supplies. Latest data showed Ivory Coast farmers shipped 2.14 MMT of cocoa to ports through August 30, 19% more than a year earlier.

Bitcoin US Dollar traded at 79162 this morning, increasing almost 1% since the previous trading session. Looking back, over the last four weeks, Bitcoin gained 23.80%. Over the last 12 months, its price fell by 30.80 percent. Looking ahead, analysts have forecast Bitcoin to be priced at around 80762 by the end of this quarter.

South Africa's economy shrank by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, in Q2 2026, reversing the revised 0.4% GDP growth recorded in Q1 and worse than the expected 0.1% decline forecast. This marked the first economic downturn since Q3 2024, snapping its longest quarterly growth run in almost a decade.

Copper futures eased to around $6.66 per pound on Wednesday, retreating from record levels as traders took profits while reassessing market fundamentals. The metal had surged to fresh all-time highs earlier this week amid tariff uncertainty and tightening global supply.

Markets by Numbers

Currencies:

Currency markets indicate the US dollar marginally softer today. The Greenback is trading against the Euro at 1.16349 while trading against the Pound at 1.35524. The Yen is currently trading at 153.34 to the US dollar. The rand (ZAR), is currently losing steam, and just below the key R16.00 mark, trading at the 15.99 against the US dollar this morning.

Commodities:

Gold futures have gained around 0.71% this morning, and currently trading at around $4386.74 per ounce.
Copper prices are -0.88% lower today, with prices currently around $6.6776 per pound
Silver futures are up around 1% today, and currently trading at around $66.455 per ounce.
Platinum futures are down around -0.56% this morning, and currently trading at $1843.00, While Palladium is around -0.5% lower today, and currently trading around $1363.50 per ounce.
Lithium is trading -0.68% lower today and currently at CNY/T 145 750
Brent crude oil prices are trending over 1% higher today, and currently trading around $98.95, with WTI trading at $93.90 currently
Cocoa futures have dived around -4.44% today, and currently trading at $5913 per ton.
Coffee futures are -1.45% lower today, and currently trading at around $2.9130 per pound

Crypto Currencies:

Bitcoin prices are up around 0.67% today, and trading at around $78 969 per coin currently
Ether prices are 0.47 higher this morning, and currently trading around $2496.75

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H30 Central African Time)

African General News Briefs:

South Africa's government has approached the country's Constitutional Court in a bid to stop the auction of items once belonging to Nelson Mandela set to be sold in the United States.
The four-year legal battle involves 29 objects, including Mandela's identity card, shirts, writings and a key to his prison cell on Robben Island, where he spent 18 of his 27 years in jail. The auction was first announced in 2021 by New York-based Guernsey's, but was suspended after heritage agency, SAHRA, challenged the sale. Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe, authorised the sale to raise funds for a memorial garden near her father's grave in Qunu.
Protests around electricity supply interruptions have gained momentum in Gambia. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered overnight in multiple locations in Gambia, including near President Adama Barrow's official residence, to denounce what they described as ‌prolonged power cuts, residents according to a Reuters report. In and around the capital Banjul, protesters burned tyres in the street and erected barricades, shouting "Barrow must go!" as plumes of smoke filled the air, the Reuters witness said.