ECOWAS Industrial Push: West African trade ministers in Accra backed “mine together, process together” to move minerals from raw exports into factories, value chains and AfCFTA trade—while warning that bilateral deals outside the customs framework could fracture the bloc. IMF Watch: Sierra Leone’s IMF-backed reforms are stabilising the economy, but the Fund flags weaker early-2026 revenues, rising spending pressures and external shocks that could strain progress. Maritime Modernisation: Parliament’s revised Merchant Shipping Act gets a warm welcome from the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration as a step toward a more secure, investment-attracting, internationally competitive shipping sector. Housing for Growth: Government signed an MOU for affordable housing units and university student hostels, signalling a stronger public-private partnership push to ease accommodation pressure. SME Investment Drive: NIB urged stronger investment support for SMEs at an economic diversification roundtable, highlighting reforms like the One Stop Shop and plans for online business registration. Clean Cooking Agenda: Sierra Leone convened stakeholders to familiarise the National Clean Cooking Strategy, aiming to cut firewood/charcoal use, deforestation and indoor air pollution. Immigration Services Decentralised: The Immigration Department launched Bo services to reduce the need for citizens to travel to Freetown for passports and related work. Trade in Services Under AfCFTA: A workshop focused on regulatory audits for finance, communications, tourism and business services to unlock Sierra Leone’s services export potential. Anti-Drug Pressure on Shipping Routes: Sierra Leone-linked international cooperation and manhunt efforts for “Bolle Jos” underscore growing scrutiny of West Africa’s shipping corridor.