Trade & Food Security: Gabon’s planned broiler chicken import ban from 1 Jan 2027 is now a WTO flashpoint after the US challenged the move, raising the big question of how far states can shield local production without breaching trade rules. Maritime Safety: At least 12 seafarers were injured in Strait of Hormuz attacks, with multiple tankers and LNG/LPG vessels reported hit in early October. Public Health & Illicit Markets: UNODC reports rising seizures of medical products across Cameroon and the region, with Cameroon accounting for most of the 2025 tonnage—highlighting how shortages and weak supply chains fuel trafficking. Cameroon Finance: Cameroon’s public debt reached 15,607 billion FCFA by end-June, with the IMF warning fuel subsidies are pushing the budget off track. Energy & LNG: Wood Mackenzie says floating LNG is set to drive supply diversification, with new FLNG projects adding capacity despite market uncertainty. Agri-Business & Processing: Cameroon’s cocoa firms are invited to Tunisia’s Chocolate & Pastry Expo to expand market access, while Parian-Cam (Anbuco Farm) pushes local staple crops into processed products to cut losses and create jobs. Shipping & Logistics (Cameroon): REasy and AGL are expanding a pilot that bundles payments and consolidated shipping for small importers into Douala. SME Payments/Comms: MTN clears key regulatory hurdles for its IHS tower deal, while NativeTalk launches an all-in-one business app for African SMEs.