ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African leaders have endorsed the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a roughly $27bn project expected to move gas across about 6,000–6,800km through 13 countries, with next steps now focused on project bodies, investor mobilisation and final investment decisions. Fuel Market Pressure: IPMAN is urging the FG and NMDPRA to review fuel import licences after a 207% jump in petrol imports, warning it could worsen pump-price inflation and add naira pressure while undermining local refining. Downstream Pricing Uncertainty: Marketers have paused fresh PMS purchases as they wait for clarity on Dangote Refinery’s pricing approach, with some expecting higher depot and pump prices. Power Sector Reality Check: Ibom Power says its 191MW plant faced an 11-month gas cutoff in 2025 tied to FG debt, highlighting how liquidity and gas supply failures keep generation low. Regulation Costs: Experts warn overlapping agency mandates and regulatory conflicts are raising compliance costs, hurting investment and pushing prices up for consumers. Retirement Security: PenCom plans a Minimum Pension Guarantee and health insurance for low-income retirees within three months, starting with a pilot for about 30,000 people. Digital Identity for Mining: NIMC and the Solid Minerals Ministry plan to deploy digital identity infrastructure to track operators and curb illegal mining. Business & Policy: Nigeria’s VAT collection ranking has put Abia last in H1 2026, while the economy enters H2 with fresh concerns over inflation, political spending and reform execution.