Gabon Railway Modernisation: A €312m financing deal for Phase III of the Transgabonais railway has been signed for the 648km line from Owendo to Franceville, aiming to boost reliability, safety and capacity beyond mining freight. CEMAC Public Finance: CEMAC governments increased borrowing on the regional securities market in July 2026, with outstanding debt rising to CFA10.56tn even as average costs edged up to 8.53%. Electricity Costs & Subsidies: Nigeria’s electricity subsidy bill hit N1.928tn in 2025 as tariffs stayed frozen below cost-reflective levels, with Abuja, Ikeja and Eko Discos taking the biggest shares. Telecom Regulation: Gabon’s telecom regulator Arcep is pushing tougher oversight of network quality after recurring outages, including reactivating the 1331 consumer short code. Local Development in Makokou: In Ogooué-Ivindo, Makokou received a new CNSS agency and modernised La Poste services to bring social protection and postal access closer to residents. Defense Ties: China’s deepening military engagement in Gabon continues with the arrival of a new Chinese defense attaché in Libreville alongside discussions on naval and training plans. AI for Students: Google is offering a free one-year AI Plus subscription to students across 27 African countries, including Gabon, with access to Gemini tools and cloud storage. Sickle Cell Treatment: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma is producing an Africa-made generic hydroxyurea treatment, targeting regional markets and aiming to cut dependence on imported medicines.