Hydropower Deal: Madagascar signed an MoU with CGHV to develop the Volobe Amont hydroelectric plant on the Ivondro River in Atsinanana, targeting over 120 MW; 60 MW would supply Toamasina port and the rest feed the Antananarivo grid, with EU/EIB/World Bank partners and €212m pledged while financing is still pending. Mining Accountability: More than 6,500 people in Madagascar have filed a London High Court claim against Rio Tinto’s QIT Madagascar Minerals over alleged lead and uranium contamination from mine wastewater, with children among the claimants; Rio Tinto says monitoring shows regulated metals below detection limits. Beverage Packaging Expansion: Guala Closures completed its acquisition of Metal Crowns across Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi for Kes 10.6bn, expanding manufacturing and supply of beverage closures into markets including Madagascar. Public Health Pressure: WHO reported cholera deaths rose 30% in 2025 to 7,870, the highest since 1999, with Africa carrying the heaviest burden—an urgent reminder for water, sanitation and hygiene investments. Climate Risk for Industry: The South-West Indian Ocean Climate Outlook warns of multiple hazards for Oct 2026–Mar 2027, including drought and flooding impacts that could disrupt agriculture, water and fisheries across the region including Madagascar.