SME Finance Boost: The European Investment Bank’s development arm (EIB Global) has agreed a €200m facility with Nigeria’s Development Bank of Nigeria to expand credit for micro, small and medium enterprises, with focus on agriculture, renewable energy, digitalisation and innovation. SME Confidence & Payments: A Mastercard SME Confidence Index reports 81% of Nigerian SMEs are confident about the year ahead, with 68% expecting revenue growth and digital/online payments seen as key (67% already use mobile payments). AI Access for Startups: AI Factory France (AI2F), led by GENCI with NVIDIA, is launching a programme to give startups and SMEs streamlined access to advanced AI compute and services to speed up product readiness and market entry. Cybersecurity for Small Firms: A new ClickFix campaign is using compromised European small-business websites to serve fake CAPTCHA prompts and attempt GULoader infections on Windows via a blockchain-linked delivery chain. Privacy Rules Hit App Shops: Apple is changing iOS app distribution in Brazil, allowing alternative app marketplaces and payments outside In-App Purchase, alongside new safeguards for privacy and children. Local Energy for Learning: Katsina State (Nigeria) approved solar-powered lighting for Tsangaya schools across 361 wards and also backed contracts for kiosks to support small-scale businesses.