Financial Services & Payments: Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has launched BOC Flex Tap & Pay in Sri Lanka, a mobile wallet contactless payment feature integrated with virtual card tech for NFC point-of-sale and online merchants. Seychelles Business Leadership: Seychelles Reinsurance Global (SeyRe Global) promoted Vanida Pillay to CEO, bringing 30+ years across engineering underwriting, claims, and reinsurance broking. Tourism & Culture: Seychelles’ WADF All African Artistic Dance Championship returns for its 4th edition, with record local participation and international dancers, backed by national culture and youth institutions. Sports & Community Events: Autosport Seychelles delivered the country’s first motorsport festival during Independence celebrations, blending racing, sim racing, heritage vehicles, and road-safety community activities. Environment & Industry Research: Scientists from 21 African countries met in Accra to harmonise microplastics monitoring protocols for coastal environments, supporting comparable data and stronger marine protection policies. Maritime Security (Blue Economy): Experts at Nigeria’s Sea Power for Africa Symposium urged African-led maritime surveillance and stronger navies/coast guards to protect the region’s blue economy. World Rum Day (Local Industry): Takamaka Rum in Seychelles marked World Rum Day by highlighting sustainability practices tied to sugarcane sourcing and bottle reuse.