Brexit Aftermath for SMEs (UK): A decade on, UK SMEs say Brexit still bites—paperwork, higher costs and trade barriers. An AFP report cites a Federation of Small Businesses study: 63% of SMEs trading with the EU faced “significant” barriers in the past year, with many planning to cut or stop EU trade. Brexit and Finance (UK): Reuters looks at how Britain’s financial sector has “weathered” Brexit but with a more mixed reality: City dominance is eroding as jobs shift to EU hubs (about 40,000 moved) and some investors find the UK less attractive. Local Business Impact (UK): A separate piece highlights North Yorkshire small firms forced to close because of Brexit, underlining how policy friction hits the ground. SME Support & Funding (Europe): Nordic Capital is set to acquire Liberis and merge with Qred to build a global SMB financing platform—another sign of consolidation in SME lending. Energy Access & Jobs (Nigeria): Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency is pushing off-grid power expansion, framed as a “democratic dividend” that could unlock local enterprise opportunities. Tourism Shock (South Africa): Jeffreys Bay’s small businesses face a hit after the World Surf League removed the town from its 2026 tour, cutting expected visitor spend. Regulation Watch (Armenia): ARKA reports Armenia moving toward stricter, more formalised business rules while seeking EU support to cushion Russian trade restrictions.