EU-Kenya Digital Push: President William Ruto announced new EU investment commitments worth Ksh20bn, including Ksh15.3bn for the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership and Ksh5.6bn to extend the Blue Raman submarine cable linking Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania—aimed at cheaper bandwidth and stronger regional connectivity. Red Sea Trade Under Threat: Iran warned it could see both Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz locked down if hostilities escalate, while reports say the Houthis have declared Bab el-Mandeb “completely closed” to Israeli maritime traffic—raising risks for global shipping and energy flows. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor Watch: A new look at the corridor underlines how tightly Djibouti’s port economy is tied to Ethiopian transit, with port activity and Ethiopian cargo revenues forming a shared economic lifeline. US Visa Processing Cuts: The US plans to reduce African visa-processing sites from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Djibouti listed among retained hubs, potentially reshaping travel costs and access for applicants. Regional Shipping Link: Saudi Ports Authority Mawani launched an “SRS” service connecting Jeddah Islamic Port with India’s Mundra Port and Djibouti, boosting container capacity and Red Sea trade routes. AU Budget Strain: The African Union Commission says budget deficits leave it operating with only 30% of required staffing and calls for higher member-state contributions, with 2027 expected to be an austerity budget.