Cross-Border Drug Trade: South Africa’s Border Management Authority intercepted a truck from Malawi at Beitbridge, uncovering about 713kg of methaqualone (“ABBA”) worth nearly R1 billion, with three suspects arrested and investigations ongoing into the syndicate’s destination and links. Fuel & Transport Industry: Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) accused NOCMA of sidelining Malawian fuel haulage firms in favour of foreign truckers, worsening the foreign exchange squeeze during the fuel crisis. Power Sector & Business Costs: Escom has asked the regulator to transfer the single buyer electricity licence to Power Market Limited, while consumers’ groups fear tariff hikes; separately, Energy Minister Jean Mathanga warned communities against vandalising electricity equipment after delays costing over K500 million. Agriculture & Food Security: Delayed Treasury releases for NFRA and ADMARC maize purchases could cost farmers K40–K48 billion as traders buy at far below the K900/kg minimum; in parallel, MEDF farm inputs face losses as a forensic audit drags on and stock expires. Governance & Industry Setup: Malawi launched the Companies, Registrations and Intellectual Property Centre (CRIPC) to streamline business and industrial property services, amid concerns about overlapping roles with existing agencies. Health Access: Rural communities around Blantyre’s northern edge in Kapeni’s area still lack a public health facility, highlighting service delivery gaps that performance-based grants aim to address. Trade Barriers for Women: Women cross-border traders say simplified trade regimes still leave them facing harassment, weak border support, limited finance, and digital exclusion. Mining Oversight: Malawi’s Ombudsman is investigating mining contract awards, taxation, and environmental management to check whether the legal and regulatory framework is ready for new exploration. Local Value Addition: Nkhata Bay’s Kwanza Cocoa says its craft chocolate has reached the UK market, spotlighting Malawi’s agribusiness value chains.