Energy & Industry: APPO’s NOC-CEO Forum is set for Cape Town on Oct 12 alongside African Energy Week, pushing regional refining, gas markets, and harmonized petroleum rules to keep more oil and gas value inside Africa. Aviation & Conflict Links: Reuters reports aircraft tied to former US Special Forces veteran Steven Shaulis flew routes including N’Djamena and Libya’s Al-Kufra, serving as supply hubs for Sudan’s RSF. AI Governance: Tunisia ranks 110th of 135 in the 2026 Global Index on Responsible AI, with gaps between “enabling conditions” and real safeguards for trust and safety. Payments Tech: BEAC has joined PAPSS, extending instant cross-border payments across CEMAC and connecting more banks and fintechs across Africa. Education Access: New data highlights Chad among the worst performers on literacy and schooling, while broader Africa faces over 100 million children still out of school. Climate & Health: The UN’s WMO dust bulletin flags record sand and dust storms in 2025, with Chad’s Bodele Depression again the top global dust hotspot. Security Tech: Reports on Boko Haram and ISWAP describe growing use of AI chatbots for planning and operations, from drones to explosives. Research & Local Innovation: Nigeria’s Jigawa Research Institute is described as rebounding with renewed labs, power, and applied agribusiness research.