Social Protection Push: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare is rolling out reforms to strengthen social protection and inclusion, including a near-complete 56-bed facility for persons with disabilities, and a proposed framework to register and license social workers and set standards for care and rehabilitation institutions. Fintech for Cross-Border Payments: First Lady Fatima Maada Bio officially launched Flot, a Sierra Leonean fintech platform offering digital payments, Visa-powered international card services and travel solutions, aimed at making global transactions easier for businesses, students and travellers. Telecoms & Network Upgrades: The U.S. Export-Import Bank approved about $99.6m for Africell to expand mobile network technology using American and allied suppliers, as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on Huawei across Africa—Africell operates in Sierra Leone among other markets. Port Learning for Fisheries Industry: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources led by Princess Dugba toured Ghana’s Tema Port to study port management ahead of a $55m Chinese-backed fishing industrial port project in Sierra Leone. Digital Finance Meets Global Payments: Flot’s launch details highlight a cashless, card-based route for international payments and travel, with partnerships involving Zenith Bank Sierra Leone and Visa. Regional Maritime Security: Sierra Leone’s equipment and logistics links were cited in calls for stronger ECOWAS maritime cooperation, with Nigeria’s naval leadership urging wider African participation in Gulf of Guinea security efforts.