Renewable Energy Finance: IFC-backed CrossBoundary Access secured a $10m equity investment to scale mini-grids and battery-as-a-service, including projects with partners in Nigeria and Madagascar. Energy Access Gap: A World Bank “Mission 300” update says 50m Africans gained electricity connections, but eight countries still have zero new connections—an industrialisation bottleneck for the region. Electrification Drive: Separate reporting highlights Tanzania, Nigeria and Ethiopia as top performers in Africa’s electrification surge, while millions remain unserved. Madagascar-Russia Cooperation: Madagascar’s PM attended a Russian Defence Ministry concert in Antananarivo and flagged near-term Russian deliveries for healthcare kits and road construction equipment. Mining & Local Impact: An Anosy community platform renews pressure on Rio Tinto/QMM, arguing promises aren’t translating into local jobs, water/health improvements, or transparent monitoring. Agriculture & Climate Risk: El Niño warnings put Madagascar among countries at heightened risk, with calls for early action to protect food security and livelihoods. Vanilla Supply Chain: Uganda’s declared vanilla harvest window (and penalties for premature picking) underscores quality control pressures across the region’s export markets. Textiles & Machinery: ITM 2026 in Istanbul drew 48,257 visitors across 59 countries, signalling continued demand for textile production equipment. Food Industry Innovation: IFF launched DANISCO GRINDSTED DuoGel to help plant-based gummies achieve gelatin-like texture across EMEA. Leadership Change in Trade Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Southern Africa regional operations director, covering Madagascar among other markets. Infrastructure & Trade Links: Ruto’s Madagascar visit points to cooperation on agriculture, ICT, trade and aviation, with a Kenya-Madagascar business forum planned.