U.S.-Madagascar Minerals Push: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation committed up to $4.84m to Harena Rare Earths’ Ampasindava project in northern Madagascar, backing pilot-plant work, lab testing and environmental programs as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on China for rare-earth inputs used in permanent magnets. Rare-Earth Race: The same rare-earth bet is framed as part of a wider Western push against China’s dominance in mining and magnet processing, with Ampasindava targeting thousands of tons of rare-earth oxides annually. U.S. Visa Overhaul for Africa: The U.S. announced a major shift in visa processing across Africa from Aug. 1, moving routine applications from some posts to regional hubs, with Nigeria among the affected countries. Madagascar-Comoros Air Links: Madagascar and the Comoros restored direct flights after a four-year gap, expected to boost passenger mobility and tourism. Trade & Investment Talks: Egypt and Madagascar agreed to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, agriculture, healthcare, energy, water resources and tourism following talks in Cairo. Digital Economy Angle: A separate report highlights how digital public infrastructure and interoperable payments are turning “informality into verifiable economic presence,” using Rwanda’s eKash as a reference point.