Cotton Push: Malawi’s Cotton Council has opened the 2026 marketing season, targeting growth with 13,599 hectares planted and an expected 22,894 metric tonnes, while setting a new strategy aim of 50,000 tonnes next season. Forest Crackdown: Two men were jailed for producing charcoal without permits inside Thuma Forest Reserve, receiving a combined 30-month hard-labour sentence. Business Formalisation: CDH Investment Bank pledged K10m to support the launch of the Companies Registrations & Intellectual Property Centre, aimed at speeding up registration and protecting business rights. Digital Banking Drive: First Capital Bank launched a K50m “Chinthuchi Tatenga” promo to push cash-lite transactions, with K10m as the top prize. AfCFTA Warning: Traders and economists say Malawi could miss AfCFTA jobs and trade gains due to poor connectivity, border delays and persistent barriers. Cost-of-Living Pressure: A fuel crisis protest group warned of lawful action unless government cuts fuel levies and other “unnecessary taxes.” Power Crisis Hits Hard: Egenco admits electricity generation is far below demand, with equipment breakdowns and fuel/spares shortages keeping blackouts going. Human Cost in Health: Dedza Hospital’s grid and backup failures reportedly killed four newborns after power cut-offs. Water Losses: Blantyre Water Board says faulty prepaid meters are draining about K4bn monthly in lost revenue. Mozambique AI Plan: Mozambique opened public consultation on a draft National AI Strategy, including regulatory sandboxes.