Banking & Rates: Angola’s central bank cut its main interest rate by 100 bps to 14.75%, citing slower August inflation (8.78%) and lifting the 2026 growth forecast to 6.15% while keeping the year-end inflation target at 8.6%. Oil & Gas Execution: Azule Energy Angola awarded Saipem a ~$350m subsea contract for the West Hub Tails project, covering ~62 km of flowlines, risers and umbilicals to connect to the Agogo FPSO, with fabrication in Angola and a ~2.5-year offshore campaign. Industrial Policy & Trade Links: Angola wants to boost industrial value chains with Brazil, prioritizing agro-industry, tech training and technology transfer, and pushing stronger links between agriculture, industry, services and markets. Logistics & Minerals Corridor: The Lobito Corridor is set to double cargo to 800,000 tons in 2027 as the US ramps support for critical minerals transport. Energy Strategy to 2050: Angola advanced its Hydrocarbon Strategy through 2050, with projected upstream investment above $70bn and potential financing momentum via an Africa Energy Bank launch. Tech & Skills: Trine University received an $8,980 grant to build a VR-based engineering communication lab to help students deliver industry-style capstone presentations. Corporate Leadership: Star Diamond named Jean Raymond Boulle II as new CEO effective Oct. 1, succeeding Lester Kemp.