BRICS Trade & Payments: Bank Indonesia urged BRICS members to deepen local-currency transactions and cross-border payment links to cut geopolitical risk, while South Africa’s Ramaphosa pushed for more investment in manufacturing, beneficiation and energy—not just raw-mineral exports. Banking & Deals: Kenya’s competition watchdog cleared Asahi’s acquisition of Diageo’s controlling stake in EABL with conditions on liabilities and reserved refrigeration space for rivals. Fintech & Inclusion: Lesaka targets 3m customers by 2029 after agreeing to buy digital lender Bank Zero, giving it a banking licence and new product reach. Insurance Under Pressure: Kenya’s First Assurance paid $1m to Sun World Safaris after floods, underscoring rising climate losses for insurers. Consumer Protection & Illicit Trade: South Africa faces growing counterfeit cosmetics and grey-market medicines, while regulators are also warning against noncompliant plumbing imports that threaten public safety. Crime & Cross-Border Finance: Six Nigerians accused in a US$6m romance scam were extradited from South Africa, as Nigeria suspends official visits over xenophobic attacks. Energy & Investment: Africa GreenCo secured an extra $11.5m to expand renewable power trading across southern Africa. Governance & Tax: AU and ATAF moved to strengthen tax cooperation to curb illicit financial flows and cross-border evasion.