Local Supply Chain Upgrade: Brarudi (Heineken subsidiary) is shifting from long-distance imported grains to locally sourced sorghum, maize and barley via cooperatives, with TradeMark Africa support and Netherlands funding—an effort to cut logistics risk exposed by COVID and trade disruptions. Regional Health Diplomacy: Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye met Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama in Accra during the AU Extraordinary Health Summit, with both leaders stressing peace, jobs, and stronger health priorities. Health Sovereignty Push: AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and other African leaders urged a move from health pledges to measurable implementation, backed by domestic financing and more local production of medicines and vaccines. Port and Trade Standards: Kenya Ports Authority won ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 certifications, highlighting safer, cleaner operations that can benefit trade corridors including Burundi. Energy/Industry Watch: Dangote’s proposed Lamu refinery in Kenya is framed as a potential blueprint for African industrialisation and regional fuel security. Crypto Crime Training: Eastern African prosecutors began a coordinated training in Nairobi to improve cross-border investigation and prosecution of cryptocurrency-related financial crime. Water & Cost Pressures: Muyinga faces worsening drinking-water shortages, while Congolese refugees in Burundi’s Bwagiriza camp report rising motorcycle taxi fares due to fuel constraints.