Zambia Election & Economy: Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second term with about 60% of valid votes, beating Brian Mundubile (about 38%), handing investors the policy continuity they wanted—but the real test now is whether a new IMF programme can turn stabilisation into lasting growth. SADC Industrial Push: At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, leaders renewed calls for regional integration and industrialisation, with UN ECA urging SADC to process minerals and farm produce into value-added goods and regional value chains. Critical Minerals & Copper Outlook: Commentary and analysis keep spotlighting the “copper crunch” risk and why downstream processing matters for jobs and technology—not just exporting raw ore. Energy Transition Funding: Morocco (along with Zambia) is named among priority markets for the AfDB’s $200m African Energy Transition Fund, targeting renewables, battery storage, grid upgrades and power-to-X projects. Tech for Connectivity: Airtel Africa launched Starlink direct-to-phone satellite service in DR Congo, a sign of how satellite-to-mobile could extend coverage where towers are costly. Food Prices: Malawi’s maize retail prices rose 8% in July, a reminder of how quickly food shocks can hit livelihoods across the region. Governance & Security Tensions: Zambia’s election period also saw claims and counterclaims over “militia activity” arrests tied to opposition figures.