Lobito Corridor Rail Boost: The DRC has approved a public-private plan to fully rehabilitate the copper-and-cobalt rail link under the Lobito Corridor, partnering with Portugal’s Mota-Engil to cut mineral transport times and deepen Western-backed mining logistics. Road Tech & Safety: Zambia’s Road Development Agency has awarded contracts worth over K3.2bn to start rehabilitating the Livingstone–Sesheke M10 road, upgrading key sections to bituminous standard to improve a major tourism and trade route. Cross-Border Connectivity: Roads Authority says feasibility and designs are ready for the Lilongwe–Mchinji (M12) road linking Malawi and Zambia, but civil works are waiting on funding as potholes raise safety concerns. Startup Finance for SMEs: Renew Capital selected 15 African tech startups from 500+ applicants for its Renew Venture Lab: EmFi Series, aiming to bridge the SME financing gap with deeper training and investment consideration. STEM Talent Push: Zambia National STEM Foundation and government partners signed a landmark MOU to advance STEM education, while the Royal Academy of Engineering launched its 2027 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with a special call for Zambia’s engineers and innovators. Digital Learning Access: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools with free internet by 2027 via UNICEF, building on its existing school connectivity and zero-rated learning platforms. HIV Prevention Awareness: Zambia’s rollout of lenacapavir (LEN) is prompting public education on what the twice-yearly injection can and can’t do, as misconceptions still linger. Women in Peacekeeping: Zambia reaffirmed UN peacekeeping support, calling for more women in policing missions and better investment in training and technology for UN Police.