Offshore Oil Deal: The Gambia signs a landmark upstream exploration agreement with Eni for Block A1, with the state set to take a 10% carried interest via GNPC and an option to add 5% after a discovery. Digital Sovereignty Push: Ghana’s Deputy Minister urges Africa to stop being passive tech consumers and to actively shape data, infrastructure and AI rules, warning that externally built systems can widen inequality. Aviation Costs in Focus: IATA flags Nigeria as one of the world’s most expensive markets to run airlines, calling for ECOWAS to cut aviation taxes and charges by 25% to boost competitiveness. Fintech Credit Boost: Payaza Africa secures upgraded “A” credit ratings from multiple agencies, signaling stronger lender confidence in its payments platform. Payments Infrastructure Debate: EMBank’s Ekmel Çilingir argues global finance power will hinge more on who controls cross-border payment rails than on the dollar. Regional Investment Linkages: Kenya’s Ruto pitches Kenya as Africa’s gateway at a Belgium business forum, launching a Kenya–Benelux Chamber of Commerce to deepen trade and investment ties. Somalia Resilience Funding: Somalia launches an $11.8m, three-year climate-resilience programme for drought-affected farmers and pastoralists, backed by AfDB, WFP and UNOPS. Ethiopia Capital Market Opener: Nigeria’s United Capital becomes the first foreign investment bank licensed in Ethiopia, committing over $1.5m to start operations in Addis Ababa. Credit for Growth in Nigeria: Optasia’s role in Nigeria’s airtime and nano-loan credit ecosystem comes under reform pressure as regulators move to reduce concentration and improve competition.