Rare Earths, US Funding: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation has committed up to $4.84m to Harena Rare Earths’ Ampasindava project in northern Madagascar, backing pilot-plant work, lab testing and environmental programs for a roughly $150m rare-earths push aimed at permanent-magnet supply chains. Bilateral Trade & Investment: Egypt and Madagascar leaders met in Cairo and El Alamein, agreeing to deepen cooperation across trade, agriculture, healthcare, energy, water resources and tourism; Egypt–Madagascar trade hit $122.8m in 2025, with Egyptian exports leading. Industrial Policy Support: The African Development Fund approved a $3.48m grant for Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Madagascar and Togo to strengthen industrial and trade policy frameworks and improve AfCFTA implementation through studies, training and technical assistance. Vanilla to Consumers via Logistics: Malagasy Vanilla says Temu’s Local Seller Program helped it sell direct to consumers across 14 European markets, cutting shipping costs in Belgium and quadrupling sales within four months. Marine Environment Pressure: A report flags rising underwater noise from increased shipping in the Western Indian Ocean, including waters around Madagascar, warning of growing stress on marine life. Construction Materials Leadership (Regional): A profile of WACEM/Diamond Cement highlights expansion across West Africa and into Madagascar, underscoring cement demand and industrial scaling.