Telecom & Digital Infrastructure: Telecel Group says it’s ramping network expansion in Ghana in 2026, betting on connectivity to spur fintech and enterprise growth after returning to profitability in 2025. Trade & Integration: Ghana and Nigeria pledged to remove trade barriers and push cross-border commerce under AfCFTA and ECOWAS, with the ECO single-currency plan also on the agenda. Public Procurement Capacity: Nigeria’s BPP and Lagos Business School begin talks on a partnership for procurement capacity building, research and digital transformation. Digital Connectivity Policy: African states adopted the Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity, targeting cheaper internet, affordable smartphones and technology-neutral rules, while electing Zambia’s Kezias Mwale as ATU SG. Regional Commerce Dispute: ECOWAS resolved Ghana-Nigeria onion truck detentions, allowing consignments to offload and urging longer-term reforms to prevent repeat disruptions. Sovereign Debt Pressure (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s external debt is put at $21–$23bn and domestic debt near $10bn, raising risks to fiscal space and development. Security & Disruption: Nigerian troops in Borno arrested a suspected ISWAP-linked man after finding a Starlink terminal and router. Business & Jobs (Nigeria): Kano’s Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market is projected to generate ₦50bn revenue and 100,000 jobs. Manufacturing Gap (Liberia): Liberia exports rubber but lacks local tire manufacturing, leaving consumers priced out of new tires. Health Leadership (ECOWAS): WAHO appoints Prof. Vincent Pitché as new DG to deepen regional outbreak preparedness and access to care. Conservation (Uganda): Uganda translocated 12 endangered Nubian giraffes to a new reserve to reduce pressure from oil drilling and habitat loss. Capital Markets (Nigeria): Nigeria’s NGX slipped as profit-taking hit banking and energy, shrinking market cap by N306bn.