Kenya's tea exports are facing significant disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East, with approximately 8 million kilograms of tea currently held up in Mombasa warehouses. This situation is leading to substantial weekly financial losses.

• Estimated losses amount to $8 million per week.
• The East Africa Tea Traders Association, led by managing director George Omuga, is vocal about the impact.
• The conflict affects a major market share, with the Middle East and Pakistan accounting for 65% of Kenyan tea exports.

Standard Chartered Bank has relaunched its China-Kenya trade corridor solution aimed at empowering local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in Sino-Africa trade.

• The initiative offers improved access to financing, reduced transaction costs, and direct links to Chinese markets, particularly for sectors like manufacturing and green energy.
• Key figures involved include Richard Li, group head of global Chinese at Standard Chartered, and Bernard Kombo, head of SME Banking at Standard Chartered Kenya.
• SMEs can achieve up to 2 percent annual savings by using the RMB for working capital financing, leveraging a cross-border international payments system that settles in 15 seconds.

Dubai's vibrant tourism industry is experiencing a severe downturn, with visitor numbers plummeting and local businesses struggling due to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran.

• International visitor numbers have drastically fallen, impacting businesses that previously catered to 19.59 million visitors last year.
• Hospitality entrepreneurs like Natasha Sideris report revenue declines of 50% to 80%, forcing salary cuts and temporary closures.
• The conflict has disrupted air travel, leading to flight cancellations and a steep drop in hotel occupancy to 15-20%, prompting deep discounts and temporary property shutdowns.