Critical Minerals & Mining: Rio Tinto will not take operatorship of Sovereign Metals’ Kasiya rutile-graphite project in Malawi, so Sovereign will advance the project directly while pushing commercial and financing workstreams aimed at US and allied supply chains. Rare Earths Update: Chilwa Minerals says assays at its Lake Chilwa site confirm widespread rare earth mineralisation beneath the Mposa sands deposit, with magnet rare earths highlighted. Power & Industry Impact: Malawi businesses say electricity shortages are cutting production and raising costs, forcing firms toward generators and solar despite higher fuel and equipment expenses. Investment Climate: A World Bank diagnostic warns Malawi’s investment is sliding fast, with private investment and net FDI falling—raising fears for jobs and growth. Trade & Business Links: A UK–Malawi Business Roundtable in London points to deeper trade and investment ties, with sectors including agriculture, mining, energy, healthcare, tourism and tech. Digital Payments: BanffPay in Liberia secured a Central Bank PSP licence for a unified pay-in/pay-out API, signalling continued fintech momentum across the region. Education Costs: Opposition and stakeholders renew calls to reverse public university tuition hikes and restore free student meals, arguing the increases are pricing out low-income learners. Tobacco Earnings: Malawi tobacco sales after 11 weeks hit $180.9m, but prices remain below last season due to oversupply and weaker buyer participation. Regional Shock—Xenophobia: Malawi-linked repatriation efforts continue as thousands of migrants flee South Africa amid anti-migrant violence, with calls for safety and compensation for affected Malawians.