MSME Push in Pakistan: Pakistan marked World MSME Day with a renewed pledge to back the sector as the backbone of the economy, citing millions of MSMEs driving major GDP, exports, and jobs. SME Support in Nigeria: Nigeria’s SMEDAN says it has secured $12bn in Korean backing for an Abuja Skills Acquisition Centre and launched a zero-interest GROW Fund to finance small businesses via cooperatives. Policy Debate in Nigeria: Nigeria’s First Lady’s “akara and roasted corn” advice sparked backlash, with defenders arguing it’s about dignity of labour and micro-enterprise—while critics say grants are too small for inflation-hit households. Smartphone Manufacturing Plan: Nigeria’s NCC is seeking federal incentives to attract investors to build smartphone factories locally, aiming to cut prices and expand digital access. World Bank Emergency Aid: The World Bank approved $1.1bn emergency funding for Bangladesh to protect food supplies and support vulnerable households and smallholder farmers amid fertilizer, fuel, and food price shocks. Local Business Resilience: A New Orleans East redevelopment fight highlights how blight and vacant commercial land can stall small-business recovery. Tourism Relief for Small Merchants: Hawaii’s North Shore shuttle pilot is set to help businesses still struggling after Kona-low storms by improving visitor access. Market & Retail Updates: Malaysia’s KUSKOP plans to expand its discounted essentials sales programme nationwide, while Malawi’s NBM hosted an SME Day exhibition in Mzuzu to spotlight local entrepreneurs. Small Business Risk: A fire at 999 Divisoria Mall damaged up to 10 stalls, underscoring how quickly small vendors can lose peak sales.