Social Media Regulation: France is set to vote on banning social media for under-15s, joining a growing global push that already includes restrictions in countries like Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the UAE—an issue that will shape youth-focused marketing and platform strategy. Public Sector Comms & AI: A University of Johannesburg summit argues AI won’t replace government communication, but will reshape how public agencies engage citizens—raising the bar for ethical, human-led messaging. Cybercrime & Scams: UNODC says Southeast Asia’s scam economy hit at least $88.3bn in 2025, with gangs using “corporate franchising” models and AI to outpace enforcement, including recruitment networks reaching into parts of Africa. Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS signed the intergovernmental agreement to advance the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a major marcom-and-investment signal for West Africa’s energy corridor. Governance & Media: South Africa’s DA vows to hold the Public Investment Corporation to account via a bill aimed at keeping the PIC chair non-political, as governance instability remains in focus. Food Security & Youth Agritech: Nigeria’s Heifer International partnership and AYuTe grants back youth-led agricultural innovation to scale market-ready solutions. Sports Marketing Moment: Spain’s World Cup return to Madrid drew nearly 2 million people for a parade—another reminder of how major tournaments drive brand visibility across Africa and beyond.