Water Security & Mapping: Scientists say Africa’s underground water is a hidden lifeline, and they’re building continent-wide digital maps to guide where groundwater can be safely extracted as hotter, more erratic rainfall strains supplies. Soil Health for Food Security: Kenya hosted IGAD’s Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub, aiming to reverse land degradation and boost fertilizer access across the region through policy coordination and capacity building. Heat Stress & Climate Risk: New research finds heat stress is lasting longer and spreading into places that were previously less affected, raising the stakes for public health and labour in Africa. Green Skills Gap: Leaders warn Africa’s green economy could stall as a shortage of skilled workers threatens renewable energy, climate-smart farming, EVs, and green manufacturing job creation. Clean Energy & Storage Deals: LONGi and SOLA struck a 300MW solar-plus-storage agreement, pushing grid stability solutions for weak-grid and off-grid areas. Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, with response teams still in an ascending phase and contact tracing below targets. Mining & Social Tensions: Ghana faces pressure over Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mining lease renewal amid xenophobia-linked protests and calls to suspend renewals. Mob Justice in Nigeria: Northern Nigeria is again shaken by the killing of an Islamic teacher after a crowd stormed a police station, renewing calls for accountability.