East Africa Power Trade: Ethiopia and Kenya signed a new electricity supply deal between EEU and Kenya Power, with Ethiopia selling power to Kenya’s distributor at about 24.07 birr (around $0.15) per kWh, aiming to boost border reliability and regional connectivity. Horn of Africa Logistics Push: Kenya backed trade facilitation reforms under the Horn of Africa Initiative, including faster border clearance, modernized posts, and a regional electronic cargo tracking plan—while also pressing for stronger support for the Lamu Port–LAPSSET corridor to drive industrial jobs across the region. Maritime Security for Djibouti’s Neighbors: The IMO urged urgent action to secure the release of 44 seafarers held by pirates in Somali waters, as piracy and armed robbery threats rise in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Djibouti Code of Conduct in Action: Yemen advanced a roadmap to set up a National Maritime Information Sharing Centre in Aden, aligned with the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment standards. Mining & Industry Signals: Burkina Faso inaugurated its first state-owned gold mine, while Ethiopia moves toward its first large-scale industrial gold output via Zijin’s Allied Gold-linked Kurmuk project. Compliance Pressure on Trade: Analysts warn overlapping US and Chinese sanctions are creating a compliance minefield for African businesses across energy, mining, telecoms, and infrastructure. Environment & Research: Scientists from 21 African countries met in Accra to harmonize microplastics monitoring protocols using nuclear and isotopic techniques, including Djibouti’s participation.