SME & Manufacturing Push (Kenya): Milly Glass SEZ in Mombasa says it’s moving toward becoming Africa’s first maker of pharmaceutical bottles, after buying 15 acres at Dongo Kundu SEZ and planning an 80-tonne glass factory; it targets amber bottle production by July 2027, aiming to cut local pharma firms’ reliance on imports from India and Pakistan. Farmers’ Market Power (Kenya): Trade PS Regina Ombam urged small-scale farmers to join cooperatives to reduce fragmented production, improve access to financing, and strengthen bargaining power. Regional SME Platform (Iraq): ESCWA and Iraq’s planning ministry announced the 4th Arab SMEs Summit in Baghdad (18–20 Nov 2026), with registration open and backing commitments of $300m+ for SME support. Trade Pressure on SMEs (Nigeria/US): Analysts warn a new US 12.5% tariff on Nigerian imports over forced-labour claims could squeeze exporters, including small businesses, and hit foreign-exchange earnings. Gulf Business Resilience (UAE): An IMF health-check in Abu Dhabi and Dubai highlights UAE resilience during the Hormuz-linked regional war, pointing to policy buffers and preparedness that SMEs may feel indirectly through stability. SME Compliance & Digital Finance (UAE): UnionPay International signed MoUs with UAE partners to boost cross-border payment interoperability—useful for SMEs trading regionally. SME Risk From Conflict (Pakistan): Commentary warns the Iran–US escalation is already showing up in Pakistan’s costs (electricity, transport, food), a direct hit to small operators.