Digital Payments Push: Visa and FMBcapital Holdings have signed a five-year digital payments deal to expand secure, Visa-powered payment services across Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Cost of Living Pressure: Malawi’s Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) is urging traders and minibus operators to cut prices and fares after MERA reduced petrol, diesel and kerosene pump prices. Power Reliability Woes: Electricity supply challenges continue to disrupt Malawi businesses, pushing shops and manufacturers to rely on costly generators and solar. Food Security & Procurement: Admarc says it will use institutional buyers like schools and prisons to clear carryover maize stocks while managing reserves amid El Niño fears. Mining Regulation Bottleneck: Experts warn Malawi’s mining growth is being slowed by outdated regulations and delays in gazetting new rules under the 2023 mining framework. Water Safety Innovation: A new Malawi study finds rainwater harvesting plus advanced solar water disinfection is the most cost-effective way to deliver safe water in rural healthcare facilities. Agriculture Market Access: Rice Development Trust launches a digital rice marketplace to connect farmers’ cooperatives directly with buyers and improve marketing information. Rare Earths Spotlight: Coverage highlights Malawi’s rare earth potential and ongoing efforts around Kangankunde, while Lotus Resources reports operational and funding hurdles at Kayelekera. Local Governance Jobs: Interviews have started for 687 technical and administrative posts under the reformed Constituency Development Fund, including engineers and procurement roles. Clean Air Data: Malawi is rolling out low-cost air quality monitors to generate data for cleaner air rules as industrialisation risks rising pollution.