African Credit Rating Agency: President Bola Tinubu welcomed the African Union’s plan to launch the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) on 7 October in Port Louis, saying Africa needs fairer risk assessments grounded in local fundamentals. Mauritius Finance & Banking: Mauritius Commercial Bank structured a $51m medium-term loan for Tolaram to refinance its Guinness Nigeria acquisition, highlighting an Asia-to-Africa funding push. CBI Training for Mauritius: India’s CBI ran a one-week economic offences investigation course for 30 officers from 13 ITEC countries, including Mauritius, covering SOPs and cross-border prosecution. Trade Deals Watch: India’s Piyush Goyal said the India–US bilateral trade agreement will be finalised once Washington offers a preferential tariff rate; he also urged a nationwide push to better use existing FTAs, including Mauritius. Digital Payments: WhatsApp launched bill payments in India as UPI hit record levels in August, reinforcing the region’s fast-growing payments ecosystem. CAF Football Funding: CAF confirmed US$100,000 solidarity payments for PSL clubs knocked out in Champions League preliminary rounds, easing early continental travel costs. Shipping to Mauritius: Hercules Tanker Management’s new tanker, Hercules Vanessa, began a maiden voyage and is heading to Port Louis for bunkers and provisions. Aviation Note: Emirates is reducing deployments of its 615-seat A380 layout as the 569-seat premium economy configuration takes over.