Critical Minerals & Trade: Congo copper exports hit a record 1.72 million tonnes in the first half of 2026, with sales to the US and Europe doubling as Kinshasa pushes to diversify away from China. US Minerals Deal: Cabinet minutes show DRC has approved a “DRC-USA Task Force” to speed up the strategic minerals partnership, building on US-backed investment via Virtus Minerals and expanded copper offtake arrangements involving Gecamines, Mercuria and Glencore. Capital Markets Reform: The promulgation of a new stock market law (No 26/034 of 20 Aug 2026) clears the way for the Kinshasa Stock Exchange, aiming to let Congolese savings flow into company financing beyond traditional bank credit. Ebola Watch: UN and WHO officials say the eastern DRC Ebola outbreak is showing early slowing, but it’s too soon to declare the peak passed; confirmed cases remain in the thousands with transmission still rising in some areas. Aviation & Logistics: Turkish Airlines made permanent the suspension of several African routes including Kinshasa, while in Kinshasa a rare DC-8 cargo aircraft suffered a runway excursion with nose gear collapse—another reminder of fragile transport links. Security & Business Climate: Rwanda-DRC talks are set to reconvene in Geneva to implement the 2025 Washington Accords, as fighting and unresolved commitments continue to weigh on investment confidence.