Manufacturing Jobs Pressure: South African manufacturers at Manufacturing Indaba 2026 say soaring electricity costs and import competition are squeezing output and factory jobs, with calls for better localisation and stronger ports, logistics and municipal infrastructure. Municipal Power Reality: Deputy Trade Minister John Steenhuisen blamed unreliable municipal electricity and water for throttling production even after national supply stabilised. STEM for Employability: Kwara State’s STEM Africa Fest trained 700 students and 130 teachers in AI and robotics, aiming to build future-ready skills and learner-centred teaching. Clean Air vs Waste Burning: The Africa Clean Air Forum in Pretoria spotlights open waste burning as a major driver of PM2.5 pollution and premature deaths, pushing cities toward healthier air. Energy Theft Disrupts Work: Cape Town’s Somerset Mall lost power for three days after high-voltage infrastructure theft, underlining how infrastructure crime hits businesses and jobs. Governance and Pensions: South Africa’s PIC placed CEO Patrick Dlamini on precautionary suspension amid governance concerns, raising stakes for retirement savings. Immigration Tech Funding: Nigeria-founded Immigify raised $1m to expand its AI-powered platform helping HR teams and skilled professionals navigate US immigration processes. Education Reform: Zimbabwe ordered all schools to fully adopt the Heritage-Based Curriculum next year or face deregistration/closure. Security Cooperation in Ghana: ASEC 2026 in Accra ended with a push for action on African-led security innovation and inclusion.