UPI Fees in Focus (India): India’s NPCI has notified a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, while keeping person-to-person transfers and small merchant payments up to Rs 2,000 free; for very large transactions (Rs 75,000+), the MDR is capped at Rs 300 per transaction. RBI Rationale: The Reserve Bank of India said the move is meant to keep UPI scalable and sustainable, with MDR treated as a merchant-ecosystem charge rather than a customer fee. Political Pushback: BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover warned that charging could push users back to cash, arguing higher-value payments dominate UPI value. NSE IPO Watch (India): India’s National Stock Exchange set its IPO price band at Rs 1,700–1,785, with the offer opening September 17 and running to September 21; the sale includes major shareholders such as SBI and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (with Aranda Investments (Mauritius) listed among sellers). Mauritius Business Angle: A separate report highlights Mauritius as a destination for investor residency via an Investor Occupation Permit, with reforms requiring an initial investment of at least $100,000 and turnover thresholds for renewal. Regional Markets (Kenya): Kenya’s Nairobi Securities Exchange saw investor wealth fall by Sh158bn over the week amid profit-taking and Middle East-driven market jitters. Aviation & Tourism (Emirates): Emirates expects to restore full prewar seat capacity by year-end and is expanding A350 deployment and Premium Economy offerings, supported by strong winter bookings. Local Economy Signals (Tunisia Index): Tunisia improved in the 2026 Global Attractiveness Index, ranking 105th globally and 11th in Africa, with Mauritius leading the continent.