Graphite Restart Watch: Total Graphite says infill drilling at its Vatomina graphite project in Madagascar strengthens the case to restart mining, with a reported 19-metre intercept at 3.3% total graphitic carbon and a higher-grade 5-metre core at 6.82% TGC, plus work pointing to an eastward extension of the old mine. Digital Finance for SMEs: AXIAN Group and the AfDB launched a programme from Antananarivo to deliver digital financial services to 34,000 women-led businesses in Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, using MVola and Mixx mobile money plus lending, alternative credit assessment and business training. Climate Services Gap: A study covering South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar finds many users’ priorities for climate services only partially match what’s available, with 39% to 53% overlap—highlighting a practical mismatch that can slow nature-based solutions. Road Safety: In Antananarivo, a bus accident in the Ambohidahy Tunnel left 2 dead and 9 seriously injured after a reported brake failure, with authorities impounding the vehicle and investigating causes. Energy/Trade Diplomacy: Madagascar’s transitional president will lead the country’s delegation to the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, with trade, investment, security, energy and technology cooperation on the agenda. Petroleum Governance: Liberia’s LPRA joined the African Petroleum Regulators Forum, a move that underscores the wider regional push to build regulatory capacity as offshore oil and gas programmes expand.