Digital Payments: Bank of Ceylon (BOC) launched BOC Flex Tap & Pay, Sri Lanka’s first mobile wallet-based contactless payments, letting customers pay via NFC POS and online merchants through the BOC Flex app. Local Tech & Marketing: 365 Digital expanded its Google Ads partnership, appointing itself authorised Ads sales representative across Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, and setting up an Africa Centre of Excellence for campaign support and training. Cybersecurity Testing: AV-Comparatives published Business Security Test results (March–June 2026), highlighting how ransomware and supply-chain attacks can disrupt firms via everyday web use and trusted third parties. Finance Infrastructure for Startups: FINXSOL announced FINXSOL LaunchPad, an end-to-end forex brokerage infrastructure package aimed at helping fintechs launch brokerage operations faster. Ocean & Environment: A Science Advances study warns drifting fish aggregating devices can interact with over half of the global marine protected area network by area, stranding in hundreds of protected sites. Seychelles Science & Policy: GAEC and IAEA convened scientists from 21 African countries in Accra to harmonise microplastics monitoring protocols using nuclear and isotopic techniques, including Seychelles. Seychelles Events & Tech: Autosport Seychelles delivered a motorsport festival blending racing, esports, engineering and road safety, with Intelvision broadcasting the Seychelles Open 50 Sim Racing final. Regional Governance & Spending: SADC officials met in Johannesburg for training on cost-benefit analysis to help governments prioritise high-impact public spending with limited resources. Tourism Governance: A commentary argues tourism growth depends on governance—cabinet leadership, impact assessments and stronger public-private partnerships—not just promotion.