Digital Payments Competition: Airtel Money plans a Kenya virtual card for international online payments from mobile wallets, moving into direct rivalry with M-Pesa GlobalPay (with rollout also flagged for DRC and Gabon). Energy, Infrastructure & Mining Finance: Madagascar targets up to $5bn over four years via a sovereign wealth fund partnership with London-based Gemcorp, aiming to back hydropower, solar and mineral development (graphite, cobalt, nickel, rare earths). AI Infrastructure Leadership: Dan Kwach returns to Nairobi as Executive for AI Data Centres at Africa Data Centres, focused on building and operating AI infrastructure and supporting Africa’s digital economy. Mobile Internet Policy: A reform push highlights that telecom access in Madagascar hinges on cutting taxes that raise smartphone and service costs, including an 8% excise duty and mobile finance levies. Labour & Work Rights: A global Labour Rights Index update reports legal reforms in many countries, while noting only a small share of the world’s population has “access to decent work.” Health & Risk Watch: Reports of a suspected plague death in a Siberian lab have triggered quarantines and monitoring, with WHO saying the public risk appears low. Marine & Climate Signals: More orca and whale shark sightings off Mozambique are being linked to El Niño-driven shifts in currents and food sources. Madagascar Science & Industry: Madagascar periwinkle is highlighted for “green” nanoparticle production that boosts plant defenses and targets bacteria. Regional Labour Pressure: A Comoros jobs law is raising alarm among Malagasy migrants about restricted access to income-generating work.