Oil & Industry (East Africa): Five African heads of state joined Kenya’s President William Ruto and Aliko Dangote to break ground on the $16bn (about Sh2.1–2.2tn) Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery in Lamu, targeting 700,000 barrels per day and an integrated complex with power, plastics, fertiliser and chemicals, with construction expected to create around 60,000 jobs. Energy & Jobs (Engineering contracts): Early winners in the Lamu build include Engineers India Limited (project management and engineering) and Honeywell (process technologies and catalysts), with the project designed to speed up delivery by reusing proven refinery designs. Trade & Transport (Regional logistics): Kenya Ports Authority says Hyundai Merchant Marine will launch a weekly Mombasa–India container service next month (2,500 TEUs) to strengthen the port’s role as a regional gateway. Burundi Business & Compliance: Court of Appeal rejected ARA’s bid to forfeit about KSh35m linked to EIS Afrika’s cross-border infrastructure funds, saying the State failed to prove a sufficient link to criminal activity. Burundi Policy (Consumer regulation): Burundi suspended production and sale of several high-alcohol beverage categories, ordering removal from the market and warning of sanctions for non-compliance. Central Africa Finance (Professional services): Abacus Worldwide added GPO Partners, expanding audit, tax and advisory operations across Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC. Education (Rumonge): Rumonge schools report desk and bench shortages, with some pupils sharing benches and classes held in churches as the district falls behind its planned furniture production. Cross-border cooperation (Tanzania–Burundi): Burundi and Tanzania began a two-day Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura to review cooperation on trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals and more.