Startup Funding & Innovation: Nepal’s government earmarked nearly Rs 4 billion for science, tech and innovation in FY2026/27, including Rs 500 million to create the Nepal Enterprise Facility to connect startups and SMEs to the national ecosystem. SME Support Programs: Zambia backed its first “Entrepreneurship Train,” a mobile mentorship route from Lusaka to Livingstone, plus market exhibitions to help SMEs sell during major holidays. Access to Capital & Risk: A local warning flags predatory lending tactics targeting small businesses, especially BIPOC owners, after a surge in financial stress. AI Skills Gap for SMBs: Long Beach entrepreneurs say AI could widen the gap unless small firms get training and technical support; they’re pushing this message at a June 22 business growth summit. Cross-Border Payments: Tanzania reported cross-border mobile money inflows up 33% to Sh698 billion in 2025, citing a more supportive digital payments environment. Trade Barriers for Small Exporters: AfCFTA rollout is still slowed by customs delays and incompatible digital systems, with SMEs hit hardest by high cross-border payment costs. Disaster Relief: The U.S. SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for Oregon businesses and nonprofits after severe storms and flooding in Dec. 2025. Business Disruption Watch: Reports say QuickBooks went down for hundreds of users on June 8, disrupting day-to-day operations. Legal/Compliance Pressure: Multiple securities class actions and investor-deadline alerts continue to pile up, including cases tied to revenue accounting and business-model allegations.