Capital Markets: Congo’s stock market law (Law No. 26/034 of 20 Aug 2026) clears the way for a Kinshasa Stock Exchange, aiming to let savers buy securities and give SMEs and startups an alternative to bank credit—though regulators, market infrastructure, a central securities depository and safe trading systems still need to be put in place. Mining & State Control: Kinshasa is tightening control over geological data by building a national mineral databank from new mapping and digitised archives under a $180m program, with plans to charge for access—an effort to reduce exploration risk and boost leverage in cobalt and copper development. Ebola & Humanitarian Pressure: DRC Ebola is at a “tipping point,” with the Bundibugyo outbreak reported as the deadliest in the country’s history; burial teams in Ituri say they are reaching limits as cases rise and communities resist safe burial practices. Conflict & Local Economy: Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are financing operations through taxes and minerals while the formal economy struggles with closed airports, collapsed banking and disrupted trade. Eastern Safety & Trade Disruption: In Bukavu, civil society calls the recent school fire a “humanitarian catastrophe,” while questions grow over fire services and investigations amid M23 control. Transport & Logistics: A rare DC-8 freighter (9S-AJO) suffered a runway excursion at Kinshasa’s N’Djili airport, with nose gear collapse; no fatalities reported, but the incident highlights risks for cargo capacity. Natural Resources Governance: MONUSCO and UN Women convened Kinshasa consultations to push gender-responsive participation of women and youth in natural resource governance and peace-linked economic integration.