Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC Group secured a combined $300m from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to expand open-access fibre, data centres and subsea assets across Africa, as only 35.7% of Africans were online in 2025. Maritime Security Cooperation: Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Djibouti met in Nairobi to strengthen Red Sea and Gulf of Aden information-sharing against piracy, trafficking and shipping disruptions. Horn of Africa Shipping Pressure: A PLA Navy Type 071 landing ship joined anti-piracy drills off Somalia, with a sea-air rescue exercise highlighting Djibouti’s role as a likely support hub. Djibouti Trade Exposure: Morocco reported $2.2bn higher oil and gas import costs during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with Djibouti among the affected fuel importers. Somali Piracy Resurgence: Somalia’s federal government said Turkey freed the MV Lutuf after a 10-day pursuit, killing pirates—while Puntland disputed the account and raised ransom questions. Agriculture & Exports: Ethiopia reported wheat self-sufficiency after its National Wheat Flagship Program, while Batu’s horticulture story continues to shift toward higher-value exports.