Vanilla Market Shock: Madagascar’s vanilla sector is still stuck in a precarious global slump, with inflation-adjusted prices at historic lows and no quick recovery expected as oversupply grows and no coordinated mitigation plan is in place for northeastern growers. Mining Restart in Focus: Ambatovy has resumed nickel and cobalt production after Cyclone Gezani, bringing its sulfuric acid plant and HPAL circuits back online and aiming for stable run rates by end-June. Energy Access & Jobs: Women solar technicians, trained through Barefoot College with WWF support, are expanding rural electricity access in Madagascar—boosting household coverage in one village to nearly 79%. Trade & Connectivity: The EU and ESA partners (including Madagascar) concluded talks to deepen the Economic Partnership Agreement into a modern Free Trade Agreement, while a separate Orange deal expands sports content distribution across Madagascar via New World TV. Food Price Pressure: S&P Global warns emerging markets may see inflation shift from fuel to food as fertiliser and transport costs rise. Global Business Spotlight: Africa’s Business Heroes named its 2026 Top 100 entrepreneurs from 24,000+ applications, with Madagascar among participating countries. World Cup Buzz: Morocco’s Ismael Saibari’s debut goal vs Brazil is drawing attention to sports betting and fan-token ecosystems. Biosecurity Enforcement: Australia seized 100,000 illegal Madagascar hissing cockroaches from a breeder, underscoring wildlife trafficking risks.