Electricity & Energy Security: ESCOM has signed a 50MW transmission connection agreement with Press Energy Limited to evacuate power from its Nkhoma solar plant into Malawi’s grid, a step aimed at easing load shedding. Anti-Utility Theft: Four men in Thyolo received 18-year jail terms each for vandalising an ESCOM transformer worth K15.7 million, in a case officials say signals tougher action against sabotage. Mobile Data Pricing: TNM and Airtel have rolled out competing 30-day data bundles, with both matching on key price points but Airtel’s top offer delivering more data via bonuses. Afreximbank Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Southern Africa Director of Regional Operations, covering Malawi among 13 countries. Mining & Policy Risk: A World Bank diagnostic warns Malawi’s mining investment push could face delays from policy uncertainty, weak standards accreditation, and unreliable power. SME Growth: National Bank of Malawi is set to host an SME Expo in Mzuzu to help small businesses reach new customers. Migration Pressure (South Africa): Thousands of Malawians are being processed and relocated as South Africa tightens repatriation ahead of June 30, with a new temporary processing centre planned in Limpopo. Rare Earths Update: Chilwa Minerals reports widespread rare earth mineralisation in clays beneath its Mposa deposit, including magnet rare earths. Fuel Cost Context: Diesel and fuel price pressures continue to feed into transport, food and broader inflation across the region.