Here's what's been making the business headlines in sub-Saharan Africa this week.

Dumped Chinese solar products are flooding the German market, forcing most domestic manufacturers to move abroad or close down. So why is German startup Sunmaxx expanding its production in the country?

This documentary investigates the shady business of pesticides. Many pesticides that are banned in Europe are exported to nations where their use is permitted, despite their toxicity. First and foremost, they are exported to Brazil.

Norfolk couple wins legal fight against Louis Vuitton over name dispute. A Norfolk-based couple have won a fight against LVMH owner Bernard Arnault over the name of their gardening company.

2024 begins with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that send shockwaves around the world, continues with a scramble for innovation in energy and tech that has got the superpowers beefing up protection for homegrown industry and along the way, a series of elections that often pit populists against the guardians of globalized trade.

In Nigeria, small and medium-scale enterprises account for more than 48% of the GDP and constitute more than 80% of the entire business sector. However, their failure rate is very high as these businesses fold up between their 3rd and 5th year, these businesses fold up for several reasons, some because of profitability and some simply because of the harsh business environment. GuardianTV speaks with entrepreneurs about why businesses fail.

This question is mostly for residents of Lagos or those who have at some point in their life resided in Nigeria’s former federal capital: what comes to your mind when you hear the phrase ‘Lagos is no man’s land?’

David Doyle brings you a round up of this week's business news from sub-Saharan Africa, including a setback for Zambia and currency woes in Nigeria.

The tech sector in Africa is expected to have another year of growth in 2023, despite a turndown in venture capital investment worldwide. There are big opportunities in connectivity – mobile internet, fibre, satellite, subsea cables – thanks in part to Africa’s growing population.

When bombs are falling, arms industry profits are rising. As war rages in Gaza, we look at how the defence sector is both benefiting from the violence and struggling to keep up. Even before the latest flare-up, global defence spending was rising to Cold War levels – largely due to the war in Ukraine, but also due to a perceived threat from China's growing military prowess. In 2022, military outlays rose for the eighth straight year, hitting $2.24 trillion.

The politics of climate change in Vietnam's authoritiarian system has led to climate activists being arrested and imprisoned.

Thailand's new prime minister has indicated the government will more strictly regulate cannabis sales, and the country's dispensaries are concerned about the future.