Housing & Agro-Industry Finance: Sierra Leone’s Cabinet has approved about US$73.8m in development financing to boost affordable housing, climate-resilient rice production, food security, jobs and higher farm incomes, including a US$10m BADEA loan for Shelter Afrique shares and US$23.8m for the Rice Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone. Rice Value Chains: A separate update says Sierra Leone is part of a $5m Rice Investment Facility launch at Africa Food Systems Forum 2026, with government already spending about $100m on rice zones and agro-processing clusters. Mining & Justice: A High Court in Sierra Leone has remanded businessman Ibrahim Kamara over alleged cannabis possession linked to a Kono mining-company incident, with the case adjourned for further proceedings. Regional Power Integration: The World Bank reports West Africa has expanded cross-border electricity links with 4,000km of transmission lines across 15 countries, improving access for millions including in Sierra Leone. Maritime Trade Risk: Shipping in the Black Sea is using improvised ship defenses as drone attacks intensify, with a Sierra Leone-flagged tanker cited among vessels transiting the region. Creative Economy Skills: Foto4Change Visual Storytelling for the Deaf is expanding into Sierra Leone, using cameras and training to open pathways into the creative economy. Transport Safety Call: Residents in Karene’s Kabba area are renewing calls to replace the ageing ferry crossing with a permanent bridge after repeated accidents.