Long-standing regional rivalries in East Africa are being highlighted by competing oil projects, particularly concerning a new refinery.

• Kenya's Lamu has been chosen as the site for the Dangote Group-financed regional oil refinery, a decision that has stirred further competition.
• The Dangote refinery plans were initially announced for Tanzania, but Tanzania's president stated she was not consulted, leading to a shift in location.
• Meanwhile, Uganda and Tanzania have signed an agreement with Vitol Bahrain to build a US$20 billion regional energy hub in Tanga, Tanzania.
• This rivalry echoes past disagreements, such as the collapsed 2014 crude oil pipeline deal between Uganda and Kenya, which ultimately favored a route through Tanzania.

SUN Mobility has launched an open-architecture battery swapping network in Kenya, marking the first step in its planned expansion across Africa.

• More than 35 battery swapping stations are already operational in Nairobi and Mombasa.
• The network is a collaboration between SUN Mobility and Vivo Energy, supporting electric motorcycles, scooters, and three-wheelers from multiple manufacturers.
• SUN Mobility aims to deploy over 160,000 electric vehicles and 2,500 stations across Africa within five years, leveraging Vivo Energy's extensive network of over 4,200 service stations.

Kenyan businesses are moving beyond initial AI adoption, with the focus now shifting to achieving measurable returns from the technology. The next phase of AI integration hinges on demonstrating tangible benefits like cost reduction, productivity gains, and increased revenue.

• 96% of Kenyan organizations have begun their AI journey, but only 35.2% have achieved widespread implementation, according to a 2025 survey.
• Key areas of AI investment include customer service (54.8%), software development (51.2%), and marketing optimization (36.2%).
• Companies like Safaricom showcase AI's revenue-generating potential through customer segmentation, while the banking sector faces challenges balancing innovation with accuracy and oversight in high-stakes decisions.