SME Finance: The EBRD has launched a $100m (Sh12.97bn) dollar funding programme for Kenyan trade finance, with Co-op Bank executing the first $50m tranche via a cross-currency swap to help lenders offer longer-term dollar loans at steadier costs. SME Lending Crunch (UK): New analysis says outstanding SME loans and overdrafts across Great Britain fell 30% since 2022, dropping £26.8bn to £62.6bn by end-2025, with most regions seeing declines and London still far ahead of the North East. Cash-Flow Pressure (UK): Coface reports 89% of UK firms faced payment delays, averaging 34 days overdue, and longer payment terms are tightening the squeeze on micro and small businesses. EU-Canada Deal: The EU is proposing a new “associate member” relationship with Canada, with Ursula von der Leyen pitching it as a way to deepen ties amid US uncertainty. SME Tech & AI: UK research finds an “AI productivity gap”: 70% of small business owners feel confident with generative AI, but only 48% use it regularly, mainly for content and marketing. SME Compliance & Tax (UK): Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith says Labour should rule out further business tax rises and simplify the tax system, including a review of the tax burden on small firms. SME Banking Competition (Italy): Italy’s antitrust regulator has opened a formal review of Intesa’s bid for Monte dei Paschi, probing potential competition impacts in local banking and small-business lending markets. SME Digital Payments (EU policy): The EU proposes banning social media access for children under 13, with “mini accounts” for 13–15, as member states prepare to vote.