Payments & Fintech: BCEAO has published the updated list of 175 institutions authorized to open PI-SPI interoperable instant payment services across the West African Economic and Monetary Union, with Guinea-Bissau among the participating countries as the system expands beyond traditional banks to include electronic money institutions, fintechs and microfinance providers. Construction Equipment & Mining Support: Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe is reshaping its dealer network across Northwest and Central West Africa—Movicortes will expand territory to include Guinea-Bissau, while MDA takes on a wider set of markets; Hitachi also plans direct support for mining customers in Morocco and Mauritania. Industry & Trade Finance: Itafos announced amendments and extensions to its credit facilities, boosting commitment to $140m and extending maturities to strengthen liquidity and financial flexibility. Energy Exploration Link to Guinea-Bissau: Chevron says it will increase exploration spending next year and notes it holds exploration blocks including in Guinea-Bissau, as it looks to drill more wells and use AI to improve exploration results. Food & Nutrition via Fisheries: A new Oceana-led study argues that more equitable fishing access agreements could keep nutrient-rich bottom-trawl catch in West African countries like Guinea-Bissau, helping address severe malnutrition. Diplomacy & Investment Signals: Guinea-Bissau’s embassy in The Gambia marked the country’s 53rd independence anniversary, highlighting institutional reforms, infrastructure modernization and plans for elections on December 6, 2026.