BRICS Diplomacy: Philippines’ President Marcos will attend the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Sept 12-13) as ASEAN chair, underscoring BRICS’ pull as an alternative to Western-led blocs. Creative & Media Policy: France’s Lumière Summit in Abuja gathered 200+ leaders to debate AI’s impact on creative industries, media literacy, and new film/economic models. South Africa Local Politics: MK Party replaced eThekwini mayoral candidate Zandile Hlophe-Mkhwanazi with Mxolisi Phakathi after internal candidate-list disputes ahead of local elections. Ghana Football & Branding: Carlos Queiroz got an extension with the immediate mandate to bring Ghana back to AFCON 2027, starting qualifiers away to Côte d’Ivoire (Sept 24). EAC Agriculture Regulation: Tanzania farmers warn an EAC seed law could weaken indigenous varieties and farmer-managed seed systems. Women Entrepreneurship: Access Bank opens applications for Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton season 8 (120 women, mini-MBA, $200k+ grants track record). Startup Funding: Google and Kickstarter’s Next Wave Fund invites African hardware/software/gaming/connected-tech startups to apply by Sept 30. Media & Infrastructure: The Herald (Nelson Mandela Bay) moved into new premises at Moffett Office Park under Ubuntu Media Holdings. Oil Security: Nigeria’s Tantita pushes stronger infrastructure protection in the Niger Delta as crude export value and theft risks stay high.