Aviation & Investment: South African Airways is restarting the hunt for a private investor after its failed 51% sale, with government backing a “transparent, competitive” process aimed at strengthening the balance sheet and reducing taxpayer exposure. Airline Partnerships: Airlink begins selling Qatar Airways-operated long-haul flights to Doha from South Africa via codeshare, with Qatar holding a 25% stake in Airlink. Banking & Jobs: Paystack has bought three Nigerian fintech brands in 18 months, with Allawee shutting down accounts and cards from December 1, 2026—another sign of consolidation in Africa’s payments sector. Work & Gender: Stats SA data spotlights South Africa’s workplace gender divide: women are 44% of employed people overall, but are concentrated in certain sectors while remaining scarce in construction, mining, transport and storage. Skills & Employment: YES-PACT reports TVET and employment gains across Africa, highlighting reforms in countries including Ethiopia and Uganda. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky warns that small businesses in Nigeria are facing the same attack methods as large firms, with spyware, password-stealer and backdoor threats rising. Health Workforce: WHO flags a looming Africa health-worker shortage, with calls to train and deploy millions more by 2035. Agriculture & Climate: Grain SA urges urgent action as dry conditions threaten South Africa’s wheat crop, while crop insurance affordability is raised as a key risk lever. Transport & Safety: Nigeria’s rail and port projects are pitched as a way to cut road accidents and create transport-sector jobs. Regional Mobility: Somalia–Kenya flights are disrupted again for a second day amid industrial action at Nairobi’s JKIA, stranding passengers and affecting business travel. Energy & Industry: South Africa’s solar-led resilience is now being tested by data center demand, raising concerns about who gets grid access first. SME Spotlight: News24 x Lula SME Awards return with R300,000 in prizes to recognise small businesses driving jobs and growth.