Startup & Innovation: The 929 Challenge is expanding into Macau’s AIE Expo 2026, with a new acceleration programme aimed at helping startups enter the Greater Bay Area market and gaining direct access to 900+ exhibitors and 50,000 industry visitors. Oil & Gas (Equatorial Guinea): Galp Energia has signed a tentative MoU to carry out offshore exploration studies in Equatorial Guinea, covering blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H near Bioko, ahead of a potential production sharing contract. Energy M&A (Equatorial Guinea): Europa Oil & Gas says Equatorial Guinea has approved its long-running farm-out deal to a Chinese partner for the EG-08 licence, moving the Barracuda-1 drilling plan toward early 2027 (pending China ODI approval). Finance & Regulation (CEMAC): Banking supervisors from across Africa are meeting in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise supervisory risks, with Equatorial Guinea included in the CEMAC regulator network. US Visa Access (Malabo): The US plans to cut visa-processing posts across Africa to 20 hubs, including Malabo, meaning applicants from non-hub countries may need to travel farther for interviews and services. Human Rights (Equatorial Guinea): Rights groups have filed a complaint over US deportations of 14 people to Equatorial Guinea, asking for a halt to further removals and access to legal representation.