Connectivity & Trade: Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched Starlink Mobile in the DRC, the first commercial deployment in Africa, letting Airtel customers with compatible LTE Android phones use light-data services like WhatsApp and SMS in areas beyond terrestrial coverage, with no special equipment needed. Aviation & Logistics: Emirates has scheduled its first-ever passenger flights to Kinshasa (N’djili) from Feb. 3, 2027, signaling fresh competition and potential growth for DRC air freight and business travel. Mining Policy & Markets: Kinshasa’s ban on exporting copper and cobalt concentrates (with possible one-year waivers) is expected to have limited impact on global prices but may add short-term risk for copper as details settle. Ebola Crisis: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,000 deaths and 4,300+ confirmed cases, with WHO warning the response is being outpaced and calling for faster detection, contact tracing, and treatment capacity. Eastern Congo Peace Process: The DRC and M23 began implementing the Doha peace process by releasing 15 detainees via the ICRC, a first step that could shape next rounds of releases. Security & Human Cost: A mortar strike hit Rumbishi Market in South Kivu, killing at least nine civilians, underlining the ongoing risks for civilians in conflict zones. Diplomacy & Governance: Kinshasa is using its UN Security Council presidency to push a minerals-and-conflict framing for eastern DRC, while SADC is accelerating regional energy and critical-mineral processing cooperation. Business Intelligence: Tellurian Research launched a DRC Weekly Monitoring Report aimed at investors and decision-makers, covering politics, security, mining, energy, infrastructure, and public health. Energy/Investment Pipeline: Fastercapital selected Kinshasa-based Muzungu Group to join Equitypilot, supporting execution-ready projects across agri-food, clean energy, sanitation, digital infrastructure, and local production in the DRC.