Maritime Security & Energy Costs: Russia urged stronger protection for shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Mozambique Channel as pirate and terror-linked activity rises, while Peninsula warned Red Sea diversions could tighten bunker fuel supply and push up voyage costs. Trade & Logistics for Industry: Hellmann says its “Africa Connect” setup, including a Mauritius control tower, is helping firms manage cross-border logistics as AfCFTA trade grows. Mauritius Finance Under Pressure: Moody’s flagged new corporate taxes that could erode bank profitability in Mauritius, with higher levies hitting both foreign and domestic lenders. Renewables & Storage Tech: Qair signed a three-year deal with PowerUp to monitor battery performance across four BESS projects in Mauritius, supporting safer, longer-lasting storage as the country targets more renewables. Local Ocean Resilience: A coral reef restoration push in Mauritius, Seychelles and Rodrigues—backed by the Adaptation Fund and UNDP—puts coastal communities at the centre of reef recovery. Regional Diplomacy: Mauritius hosted a Contact Group meeting where Russia called for greater involvement by Western Indian Ocean states in maritime security efforts. Mauritius–India Business Ties: Mauritius FM Dhananjay Ramful highlighted India’s financing of infrastructure and the CECPA’s role in boosting trade and investment flows.