Energy & Investment: Senegal confirms President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Energy Minister Dr. El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf as official patrons for MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 in Dakar (1–3 Dec), underscoring regional hydrocarbons momentum including full-capacity progress on the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project shared with Mauritania. Startup & Mauritania Access: Derawi Tides, backed by FasterCapital, reports operational milestones—submitting a Sheikh Zayed Prize application and coordinating visas and on-the-ground arrangements for next-stage activities in Mauritania. Telecom & Digital Shift (Mauritania): Mauritania’s internet subscriptions jumped 21% in 2024 to 3.65m+ as traditional outgoing call volumes fell about 9%, signaling a move toward messaging and data services. Migration Pressure & Risk: A new look at routes to Europe highlights the Western Atlantic corridor running through Mauritania, with migrants facing extortion, detention, kidnapping and violence. Cross-border Mobility (Regional): Lynk & Co 08 showcased long-distance capability on a 3,200+ km desert expedition from Casablanca to Dakar via Mauritania. Energy Data Deal (MSGBC): Viridien signed a multi-client subsurface data partnership with Senegal’s Petrosen to improve exploration intelligence across the MSGBC basin. EU Border Funding: After the Ceuta crisis, the EU is set to boost funding for Morocco’s border control and migration management. Food Systems: West Africa’s food future hinges on climate-smart agriculture and better trade/data systems, with informal cross-border food trade far larger than official figures. Climate Implementation: COP17 is framed as a “COP of implementation,” pushing proven desertification restoration models to scale.