Maritime Shock to Africa’s Trade: A new analysis says the Iran conflict is rippling into Africa through higher fuel prices, disrupted food supplies, and weaker Gulf-linked livelihoods—raising pressure on governments and businesses even without direct fighting on the continent. Horn of Africa Power Moves: Ethiopia and Kenya signed an electricity supply deal to boost cross-border power trade and regional connectivity, while Ethiopia also reaffirmed its push to deepen the Eastern Africa Power Pool’s integrated market. Regional Trade & Logistics: Kenya backed Horn of Africa trade reforms to cut business costs, including faster border processing, better handling of non-tariff barriers, and plans for cargo tracking and shared payment systems. Djibouti Corridor Risk: One report highlights Ethiopia’s heavy reliance on the Djibouti maritime route as a costly bottleneck and a vulnerability that can disrupt industrial supply chains. Piracy Pressure on Shipping: The IMO urged urgent action for the release of 44 seafarers held by pirates in Somali waters as attacks and armed robberies rise across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Djibouti Code in Yemen: Yemen is advancing a roadmap for a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre, aligning procedures with the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment.