News Digest | 3 July 2026 - Trendtype Africa and Middle East
Woolworths boosts online delivery with new Cape Town centre. Absa and Unilever unveil KSh4 billion boost for Kenyan businesses. Pick n Pay's AI assistant Penny transforms grocery shopping in South Africa. Visa and M-Pesa launch stablecoin pilot in DRC. Vivo Energy expands into Jordan with TotalEnergies acquisition. Majid Al Futtaim launches premium Carrefour in Dubai
Woolworths boosts online delivery with new Cape Town centreWoolworths has launched an online fulfilment centre in Cape Town’s Wynberg for its Woolies Dash service. This facility, operational since June 2026, aims to streamline order processing and reduce supermarket workload. Additionally, Woolworths plans to acquire in2food, a major convenience food supplier. Absa and Unilever unveil KSh4 billion boost for Kenyan businessesAbsa Bank Kenya and Unilever Kenya have launched a KSh4 billion financing initiative to aid distributors and retailers in the consumer goods sector. This programme addresses the critical issue of access to working capital, targeting over 38 Unilever distributors. Using Absa’s Wezesha Stock Loan, businesses can secure up to KSh10 million in unsecured loans. Pick n Pay’s AI assistant Penny transforms grocery shopping in South AfricaPick n Pay has introduced Penny, an AI-powered assistant on its asap! platform, shifting from search to conversational shopping in South Africa’s competitive grocery market. Built on Google’s Gemini models, Penny allows users to create shopping lists via voice, text, or photos. Visa and M-Pesa launch stablecoin pilot in DRCVisa, M-Pesa, and Onafriq have initiated a stablecoin pilot in the Democratic Republic of Congo to enhance cross-border mobile money transactions. This initiative aims to make payments faster and cheaper by using blockchain technology. Stablecoins, pegged to assets like the US dollar, offer less volatility than cryptocurrencies. Vivo Energy expands into Jordan with TotalEnergies acquisitionVivo Energy has acquired TotalEnergies Marketing Jordan, including 180 petrol stations, its first expansion beyond Africa. Vivo Energy, a leader in Kenya with a 20% market share, continues to grow its presence, now operating in 29 African countries. Majid Al Futtaim launches premium Carrefour in DubaiMajid Al Futtaim has introduced its first premium Carrefour Market in Dubai’s Jumeirah Park Centre. The 2,200 square metre store features a food-first layout, increasing fresh food offerings from 25% to 38% of the sales area, and a new cafe concept. Meatco secures Woolworths certification, boosts Norway exportsNamibia’s Meatco has achieved a Blue Rating in Woolworths’ food safety audit, enabling it to supply premium beef to the retailer. Additionally, Meatco has used 45. 2% of its Norway beef export quota by April, surpassing previous years. CMA CGM and ASYAD to boost Oman’s logistics with Sohar terminalCMA CGM Group and ASYAD Group have agreed to develop a logistics terminal in Sohar, Oman. Sohar Port, a key industrial hub with over US$12 billion in investments, serves as a strategic trade gateway. The move is part of a broader effort to position Oman as a logistics hub, supported by projects like the Oman-UAE railway. Kenya’s new import duties to impact phones, rice, and diapersKenya has announced changes in import duties following the East African Community’s approval, affecting mobile phones, rice, and baby diapers. A 25% duty on phones replaces the previous 0%, potentially raising handset costs. Diaper duties rise from 25% to 35%, while rice duties drop from 75% to 35%. AfCFTA advances digital trade with Nigerian customs techThe African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has partnered with Bergmans Security to modernise customs across Africa, starting in Nigeria. They aim to unify diverse customs systems, enabling seamless cross-border trade. Currently, different systems complicate trade, but the new platform will allow electronic recognition of customs declarations across countries. Zimbabwe redirects sugar tax to combat diet-related diseasesZimbabwe’s government has approved a strategy to use taxes from sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods to fund nutrition programmes, addressing obesity and diet-related diseases. The Nutrition Financing Strategy aims to enhance funding for nutrition and non-communicable disease prevention. Disclaimer:This content is provided for informational purposes only. View our fullDisclaimerfor details.