Critical Minerals Talks: Sierra Leone’s Mines Minister Julius Daniel Mattai says the country has rare earth mineral deposits and wants cooperation with Russia, citing a 2024 MoU and training for Sierra Leonean specialists. Health & Capacity Building: A 27th Chinese medical team delivered its first public academic lecture to nursing students at Njala University (Bo Campus), focusing on early detection and standardized nursing interventions for common ENT conditions. Maternal Health Upgrade: Moyamba Government Hospital commissioned a rehabilitated maternity ward, boosting services for mothers and newborns. Women in Agriculture: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio handed over food-processing equipment to women farmers and agro-processors to cut post-harvest losses and add value. Water Sector Partnerships: SALWACO is deepening partnerships, including with Catholic Relief Services, to strengthen water and sanitation delivery under its 2026–2030 plan. Governance & Gender: MoGCA and partners pushed for stronger women representation in governance through NEWMaP-related engagements in Freetown. Education Reform Learning: Education Minister Conrad Sackey met Rwanda education officials to study Rwanda’s digital assessment approach for Sierra Leone’s reforms. Power & Regional Trade: A World Bank-backed West Africa power programme says it expanded electricity access to over 3 million people and strengthened cross-border electricity trade.