African equity markets recorded a generally positive close on Friday, with key benchmark exchanges advancing as investor risk sentiment improved amid renewed capital flows and broad sector gains. Regional giants including the JSE Limited — the continent’s largest bourse by market capitalisation — led the rally, while other key markets posted mixed but resilient performance.
South Africa’s JSE All Share Index closed higher on Friday, extending recent upside momentum from earlier in the week with a near 1 % gain in the FTSE/JSE All-Share benchmark. Strong participation from resource and financial sector stocks underpinned the broad advance, with the main composite up 0.97 % on the session as measured by the SAALL gauge, reflecting steady demand in domestic and externally focused equities.
Elsewhere on the continent, south of the Sahara, the market mood was constructive — though divergent trends persisted across individual exchanges. Friday’s Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index (GSE-CI) ended the trading day at elevated levels after a week of net inflows that bolstered market cap metrics through increased price-driven gains, signalling confidence among local institutional and retail investors.
Nigeria’s broader equity market showed signs of firm buying interest heading into the weekend, with Thursday’s session — the penultimate trading day — recorded as a strong advance in total market capitalisation and benchmark points. Analysts note that Nigeria’s benchmark investors remained focused on banking, industrial and consumer stocks, which offered relative strength against recent macro uncertainties.
Across east and north Africa, exchanges such as the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the Casablanca Stock Exchange delivered measured gains, though overall volumes remained moderate. Commodity-linked sectors, particularly mining and energy, contributed to resilience amid broader global risk sentiment. Local investors pointed to improving liquidity and a supportive backdrop for regional assets, even as currency markets absorbed external pressures.
Looking ahead, market participants in Africa flagged geopolitical developments and global monetary policy cues as key drivers of sentiment next week. With global investors still weighing inflation dynamics and central bank outlooks, Africa’s equity markets may see continued divergence across frontier and emerging bourses. For now, Friday’s session reinforced a narrative of selective strength and return-seeking, with major benchmarks closing on the front foot going into the weekend.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 21 February 2026
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