Rovuma LNG Momentum: ExxonMobil says a final investment decision on Mozambique’s $30bn Rovuma LNG is still targeted for later this year, with contractor work lined up (including Saipem-led EPC planning) as the project heads toward major construction. Regional Trade Push: South Africa takes the SADC chair with a drive to lift intra-regional trade to 50% and push beneficiation of critical minerals, with Mozambique named among the bloc’s key members. El Niño Warning: SADC braces for a potentially severe 2026/27 El Niño that could worsen drought, food insecurity and costs across Southern Africa, raising pressure on resilience planning. Cabo Delgado Humanitarian Strain: A WHO-linked analysis reports over 400 minors recruited by armed groups in Cabo Delgado in 2024 and notes major health facility destruction and ongoing humanitarian needs. Drug Trafficking Crackdown: Mozambique seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, with the shipment routed via Brazil and Angola, underscoring the country’s role in trafficking networks. Critical Minerals Progress: NeoTerra reports gallium extraction results from Monte Muambe in northwestern Mozambique and says XRT testing points to a viable pre-concentration pathway. Transport & Connectivity: LAM Mozambique expands domestic route options by opening a second hub in Beira to reduce reliance on reconnecting via Maputo. Energy Governance Watch: South Africa’s electricity committee begins public hearings on the Gas Bill, aiming to strengthen regulation and oversight as the gas sector prepares for future developments.