(MENAFN- The Rio Times) Côte d'Ivoire's election day dominated West Africa's risk tape; Nigeria's FX and banking signals stayed in focus; and in Central Africa, Kinshasa moved on governance and protection measures. In North Africa, we highlight market‐relevant policy and finance moves. North Africa Libya - Central‐bank interlocutors revive budget‐unification and revenue‐sharing talks Politics & Macro Tripoli and Benghazi representatives resumed technical dialogue to unblock the national budget framework and create predictable oil‐revenue transfer mechanics. The track aims to reduce ad‐hoc spending and restore confidence in letters‐of‐credit issuance for trade.

What it means: A clearer fiscal center makes it easier for banks and traders to price risk and for NOC to plan capex. Why it matters: Revenue‐sharing stability lowers supply disruption risk and supports Mediterranean energy flows.

Morocco - Casablanca market guidance tightened on ESG and disclosure for issuers Markets & Regulation Casablanca's market authorities rolled out updated guidance for listed companies on ESG metrics, forward‐looking statements, and event‐driven disclosures. The move is designed to improve comparability for international investors and support green‐label issuance.

What it means: Stronger disclosure can tighten pricing on bonds/equity placements. Why it matters: Better market plumbing draws deeper pools of foreign capital into Morocco's growth sectors.

West Africa Côte d'Ivoire - High‐stakes presidential vote proceeds under targeted curfews Politics Polling opened nationwide and abroad with security forces enforcing time‐bound curfews in sensitive areas. Logistics and early‐hour turnout were broadly steady, with civil‐society observers deployed across key precincts.

What it means: Smooth operations at the front end set expectations for tabulation and acceptance. Why it matters: A credible process anchors sovereign spreads and cocoa‐policy continuity.

Nigeria - Naira firms to ₦1,945.8 ($1.33) per £1 amid mixed parallel‐market signals FX & Markets The naira appreciated on official windows versus the British pound even as retail/parallel markets showed persistent demand and thin liquidity. Authorities signalled a steady bill calendar and FX‐turnover focus.

What it means: Official‐parallel spreads remain a policy barometer for liquidity and credibility. Why it matters: FX stability is pivotal for inflation pass‐through and import‐heavy sectors.

Nigeria - Access Holdings clears recap bar with strong H1 earnings Banking Access reported pre‐tax profit of ₦320.57 billion ($219.30 million) in H1 and said share capital plus premium rose to ₦594.90 billion ($406.94 million), above the ₦500 billion ($341.99 million) regulatory recap threshold. The group flagged balance‐sheet capacity for M&A and technology investment; its stock last traded at ₦25 ($0.017) per share on Oct 24.

What it means: Early compliance gives strategic latitude as peers race to raise capital. Why it matters: Stronger buffers support credit supply and financial‐stability signalling.

Central Africa DRC - Government moves to resolve stand‐offs in provincial assemblies Governance Following the Council of Ministers, Interior was tasked to address institutional blockages in several assemblies. The aim is to restore quorum and pass delayed measures tied to public services and investment approvals.

What it means: Administrative resets can unlock stalled local budgets and infrastructure actions. Why it matters: Provincial governance affects mining corridors and contractor payment risk.

DRC - Permanent task force created on conflict‐related sexual violence Security & Rule of Law The presidency instituted a standing mechanism to track and deliver on national/international commitments against conflict‐related sexual violence, bridging civil and military jurisdictions.

What it means: Centralised follow‐up can accelerate casework and donor coordination. Why it matters: Stronger protection frameworks reduce legal and reputational risk for operators and aid agencies.

October 26, 2025 - Key developments Nigeria leaned into post‐FATF momentum with tighter supervision signals; crypto activity and money‐market balances highlighted liquidity dynamics. Kenya published full‐life toll‐road projections; Algeria advanced force‐professionalisation; and Côte d'Ivoire's diaspora results narrative took shape as DRC security measures tightened in Manono. West Africa Nigeria - Post‐FATF grey‐list exit: regulators map next‐phase reforms Policy & Compliance Authorities pledged to consolidate AML/CFT reforms to deepen correspondent banking ties, reduce frictions for trade finance, and support fintech scale‐up.

What it means: Banks/PSPs should expect closer supervision alongside easier cross‐border rails. Why it matters: Lower compliance friction supports growth, remittances and capital access.

Nigeria - Regulator pegs crypto transactions above $50 billion over 12 months Digital Assets Local commentary underscored the scale of crypto flows, aligning with a push toward risk‐based VASP oversight and stablecoin guardrails.

What it means: Clearer rules could bring institutional participants into a currently retail‐heavy market. Why it matters: Safer rails reduce consumer risk and FX leakage channels.

Nigeria - System liquidity piles into CBN's windows; SDF hits ₦2.62 trillion ($1.79 billion) Money Markets Banks parked excess cash at the Standing Deposit Facility, with opening balances swinging from ₦192.65 billion ($131.79 million) to ₦637.59 billion ($436.17 million) into week‐end. OMO operations moderated from the prior week's sterilisation pace.

What it means: Preference for the deposit window over interbank lending signals lingering risk aversion at elevated rates. Why it matters: Liquidity trends shape bill yields, credit appetite and the naira curve.

East Africa Kenya - Mau Summit toll road PPP projects KSh 339.8 billion ($2.63 billion) lifetime gross takings Infrastructure & PPP Fresh disclosures detail projected 30‐year receipts on the Nairobi–Mau Summit corridor, paired with risk‐allocation designed to cap fiscal exposure.

What it means: Detailed cash‐flow assumptions guide lender due‐diligence and secondary‐market appetite. Why it matters: Efficient transit on the Northern Corridor lowers logistics costs across the EAC.

North & Central Africa Algeria - New military decorations framework adopted Defense Policy Legal texts established additional military medals within the National People's Army as part of professionalisation and morale initiatives.

What it means: Institutional updates often track training and personnel reforms. Why it matters: Professionalisation supports readiness in Mediterranean security architectures.

Côte d'Ivoire - Diaspora tallies shape narratives as collation advances Elections Early returns from missions abroad showed an incumbent edge in several precincts while domestic tabulation proceeded under tight procedures.

What it means: Overseas returns influence legal strategies and messaging. Why it matters: Process credibility underpins post‐election stability and investor sentiment.

DRC - Tanganyika province bars civilian 12‐gauge use in Manono amid insecurity Security The local decree targets a reduction in armed incidents along fragile supply lines and urban perimeters, with enforcement coordinated across police and customary authorities.

What it means: Lower baseline violence reduces operating risk for traders and aid groups. Why it matters: Improved security conditions support humanitarian access and commerce.

October 28, 2025 - High‐impact events to watch (preview) Oct 28 items are forward‐looking watchpoints sourced from local agendas. These are included for positioning; confirmations will follow on the day. Lagos - Nigeria Energy 2025 opens (Oct 28–30) Energy & Markets Regulators, lenders and IPPs convene to signal policy on grid reliability, wheeling, and capital formation. Announcements here often steer lending and OEM commitments.

What it means: A clearer project pipeline can accelerate private generation and transmission investments. Why it matters: Power reliability is a first‐order constraint on GDP, industry and FX bills.

Nairobi - Governance forum gathers current and former leaders (Oct 26–29) Politics & Governance Joint appearances are expected to stress institutional renewal ahead of the 2026 cycle, offering cues for coalition‐building and reform commitments.

What it means: Elite consensus can lower political‐risk premia. Why it matters: Credible governance signals influence IFI engagement and market access.

Accra - Bank of Ghana launches“Cedi@60” outreach (from Oct 28) Monetary & Markets Programming is set to highlight currency integrity, payments modernisation and inflation management-an opportunity to reinforce FX‐market functioning and anti‐counterfeiting campaigns.

What it means: Policy messaging can anchor expectations and reduce noise in FX markets. Why it matters: Currency credibility underpins disinflation and domestic debt pricing.

Kenya - Court calendars carry politically salient hearings (Oct 28) Rule of Law Several cases with fiscal and labour implications are listed for hearings, with outcomes that could affect wage dynamics and county finances.

What it means: Judicial timelines are a key variable for policy execution. Why it matters: Predictable adjudication anchors contract enforcement and sovereign‐risk assessments.

Currency rule observed: All local‐currency figures shown include immediate USD equivalents in brackets, based on same‐day mid‐market estimates.

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