Energy Security & Shipping: Houthis struck Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and hit Red Sea assets again, underscoring how the Hormuz standoff is spilling into Africa’s oil routes and raising risks for regional supply. Oil Market Geopolitics: Iran’s push for compensation and sanctions relief is framed as leverage to keep pressure on reopening Hormuz, even as talks edge toward a pause. Power Systems: Malawi commissioned a grid-scale lithium battery project to stabilize solar-heavy electricity after hydropower losses, showing a practical path for climate-exposed grids. Electricity Costs: South Africa’s peak/off-peak pricing debate is back as smart prepaid meters roll out, with households urged to shift usage to cheaper hours. Policy & Workers: Nigeria’s labour union called for a people-centred energy model, arguing energy policy must treat power as a public good to tackle energy poverty. Clean Energy Investment: Europe is betting billions on North Africa’s clean energy potential via Mediterranean interconnection plans, aiming to move renewable power toward European grids. Critical Minerals Scrutiny: A probe flags uranium in DRC cobalt shipments to China, adding pressure on supply-chain transparency for battery metals. Infrastructure Leadership: Namibia’s energy executive Shiwana Ndeunyema was nominated among Africa’s top infrastructure influencers, reflecting growing investor focus on Namibian oil, ports and institutions.