Sahel Security & Defence: Mali’s warning on West Africa highlights how weapons and foreign backing can’t stop jihadist momentum, after a Russian-linked resupply and subsequent offensives pushed the conflict into a more dangerous phase. Diplomacy & Air/Trade Links: Algeria has reopened airspace to Mali and agreed to return ambassadors, ending a 15-month standoff after the drone incident—an important signal for regional mobility and business continuity. Mining & Investment: Capital reports record quarterly revenue ($117.3m) and is demobilising from Mali’s Sadiola to redeploy equipment to higher-return opportunities, while Orezone posts half-year gold output boosted by its Mali mine. Energy & Power Access: Burkina Faso’s energy transformation gets a boost from a major AFC corporate loan facility (US$300m) aimed at closing the electricity gap that is holding back industry and mining. Cross-Border Logistics: Nigeria and Mali plan a joint commission covering security, trade, energy, transport and illegal migration—while RFA and SAFLA in South Africa push for tighter customs and border digitalisation to cut freight delays. Connectivity: CSquared adds capacity on the 2Africa West cable to improve route diversity and resilience for West/Central Africa internet. Agribusiness & Trade Routes: Morocco reopens onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted as transport bottlenecks shift pressure toward the Rosso corridor. Locust Risk: UN/FAO reports a locust upsurge in Northwest Africa, with Morocco under the highest pressure and control operations expanding.