Tax & Compliance: South Africa’s SARS set 2026 filing dates and will expand auto assessments, with notifications for selected taxpayers from 1–12 July 2026, aiming to reduce manual returns. Public Procurement & Jobs: Kenya’s MPs ordered the termination and blacklisting of contractors behind delays in a Ksh45.5bn water and sanitation programme across 58 towns, which is expected to create about 15,000 jobs. Skills & Work: Uganda’s outsourcing push earned it a top-25 spot globally, but writers warn rankings won’t automatically cut unemployment without scaling real job creation. Trade & Industry: Kenya is courting Chinese investors to build local tea processing and value-add operations, moving beyond bulk exports. Labour & Migration: South Africa’s Ramaphosa faced criticism that his migration plan lacks detail as anti-immigrant protests grow, while employers are warned about violating immigration and labour laws. Local Business Protection: Nigeria’s Senate moved to halt textile material imports and urged funding and cotton expansion to revive local mills and jobs. Economy Watch: South Africa’s GDP grew 0.5% in Q1, but 2026 growth may stay muted as fuel-driven input costs bite. Energy & Industry: South Africa’s industrial gas users warned of a “gas cliff” when Sasol limits Mozambique-linked supply to Secunda from June 2028, risking jobs and output. Environment & Public Health: ECOWAS urged action on plastic pollution and waste disposal during a regional beach clean-up in Ghana. Finance & Housing: Nigeria’s housing drive reported 1,859 families accessing N128bn mortgages under the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund.