East Africa

Economic activity is focused on cross-border integration and corporate consolidation. Egypt launched a joint maritime venture to strengthen trade with East Africa, while a deal between Pesalink and PAPSS aims to cut currency barriers for Kenyan cross-border payments. The period also saw debates on privatization in Kenya and the closure of EAC customer service centers due to a work stoppage.

• 3MTN to take full control of IHS Towers in deal valuing it at $6.2 billion
• 2Egypt launches joint maritime venture to strengthen trade with East Africa
• 1Privatisation: Saving Kenya without selling the nation
• 1Uganda helps rescue Kenya Pipeline share sale
• 1China’s Yahua starts building lithium sulfate plant in Zimbabwe

High-level international diplomacy is the dominant political feature, with Mamdani meeting Trump at the White House. Kenya's government is actively confronting Russia over the illegal recruitment of its nationals for the war in Ukraine, as indicated by its Foreign Minister's planned visit to Moscow. Domestically, Zimbabwe's cabinet backed a bill to extend Mnangagwa's rule, which is being challenged in court by war veterans.

• 4Sudan condemns RSF chief’s visit to Uganda as minimising ‘human values’
• 4Zimbabwe cabinet backs bill that would extend Mnangagwa's rule till 2030
• 3Mamdani meets with Trump at White House
• 3Donald Trump backs Chagos handover deal, says No 10
• 2Putin holds talks with Madagascar's president

Regional security is deteriorating, with the UN warning that South Sudan is on the brink of full-scale war. Kenya is taking action against networks trafficking its citizens to fight in Ukraine, arresting a key suspect. Concurrently, Kenya has moved to reopen its border with Somalia after a 15-year closure.

• 3UN: South Sudan on Brink of Full-Scale War
• 3Kenya to reopen border with Somalia after 15-year closure
• 2Man arrested in Parma for murder of three Italian nuns in Burundi in 2014
• 2MSF says its hospital in South Sudan hit by government air strike - Africa - World
• 1Under siege: Kenya’s ruthless purge of activists sparks fears

The dominant societal tension is between public welfare and governance, highlighted by a crippling strike at Kenya's international hub airport that delayed flights. This labor action coincides with critical reporting on government spending juxtaposed with public hardship. A major natural disaster, Cyclone Gezani, caused significant death and displacement in Madagascar.

• 4Kenya strike delays flights at international hub airport
• 4Cyclone Gezani tears through Madagascar, kills at least 31
• 3Kenya declares war on snakebites
• 2Concerns raised by Burundian refugees about ‘coercive’ repatriation from Tanzania
• 2Cyclone death toll rises in Madagascar, Mozambique braces