Power & Energy: ESCOM has started a K11 billion project to replace ageing wooden transmission poles with prestressed concrete on key lines (Mapanga–Fundis Cross and Nkula B–Phombeya), aiming to cut outages, maintenance costs and vandalism. Electricity Market Reform: Malawi’s regulator Mera approved transferring the Single Buyer Licence from ESCOМ to Power Market Limited (PML), separating buying from transmission/distribution to boost transparency and efficiency. Agriculture Inputs: Malawi’s agriculture value chain is still bleeding foreign exchange, with seed imports reportedly over $100m annually; government has also banned seed imports this year while pushing local seed development. WASH Reforms: Pressure is mounting on Malawi to speed up water and sanitation reforms to meet 2030 targets, as funding shortfalls and failing systems undermine SDG 6 progress. Women in Farming: Women farmers are being encouraged to join commercialisation cooperatives under AGCOM II, with support including tractors to improve soya production and market access. Transport & Roads: M’mbelwa District in Mzimba unveiled a K670m grader to restart regular road maintenance and improve access to schools, clinics and markets. Migration & Repatriation: With South Africa’s June 30 anti-immigrant deadline looming, Malawians face renewed uncertainty; singer Patience Namadingo launched a K1bn campaign to help repatriate stranded people from Durban’s Old Drive-In camp. Land & Forests: In Thyolo, villagers accuse charcoal producers of cutting trees from sacred graveyards, while in Chikwawa communities protest a disputed sugarcane land grab. Banking & Consumer Impact: The Reserve Bank of Malawi says damaged banknotes replacement could hit K69.8bn this year, raising concerns about waste and the need for wider digital payments.