Trade & Gender: Malawi’s simplified trade regimes are opening markets for women and youth, but harassment at borders, limited finance, language barriers, complex customs, weak border infrastructure and digital exclusion still block full participation—experts call for better awareness, digitalised border processes and one-stop border posts. Madagascar Infrastructure & Vanilla Supply Chains: The World Bank-backed upgrade of the Manambery Bridge in northeastern Madagascar is meant to keep the vanilla economy moving, supporting jobs for tens of thousands of farmers and strengthening road/bridge resilience under the Connecting Madagascar project. Vanilla Innovation: IFF is setting up a Vanilla Innovation Centre in Madagascar with lab analysis, greenhouse research and extraction capabilities aimed at improving quality, developing new vanilla signatures and boosting value at origin. Maternal Health Finance: UNFPA and the AfDB signed an MoU to strengthen maternal health and demographic resilience across Africa, focusing on digital training for health workers, climate-resilient health infrastructure and better health information systems. Development Finance Progress: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development reports implementation momentum—92% completion on Togo’s Sokodé–Bassar Road, 80% on Madagascar road works, and 45% on Nigeria’s Minna–Bida project. Energy Security Deal: Madagascar agreed with Russia to build fuel storage facilities to secure supplies at more competitive prices and reduce exposure to Gulf-linked disruptions. Tourism Advisory Update: Madagascar’s US travel advisory reportedly eased from Level 3 to Level 2, citing improved stability and more reliable routes and logistics. Startups Spotlight: Bloomberg’s Africa Startups to Watch list highlights growing African investor funding, with Madagascar included among the 25-company shortlist.