University-Industry Push: Kenya’s education officials urged universities to commercialise research into products, services and enterprises that create jobs, not keep innovations trapped in labs. Trade Policy for Farmers: Nigeria’s parliament says China’s zero-tariff access for 100% of tariff lines to African countries could boost agricultural and resource-based value addition—if countries build productive capacity. FOCAC Agriculture Link: China and the Republic of the Congo discussed accelerating FOCAC outcomes, highlighting cooperation in agriculture, health, digital economy and green development. SADC Summit Security & Migration: Durban is under heightened security ahead of a planned anti-immigrant march targeting SADC leaders as migration tensions rise. Zimbabwe Water-Smart Farming: Solar-powered community gardens in drought-hit Zimbabwe are helping families grow vegetables year-round and buy staple maize when crops fail. South Africa Water Crisis: Leaking pipes, broken pumps and tanker shortages are driving unreliable water and sanitation services, with calls for stronger accountability. Food Prices Up: Global staple food prices rose on heatwaves and energy costs, with sugar, cereals and wheat particularly affected. AGOA Update: The US Senate voted to extend AGOA for two more years, offering exporters—including agriculture-linked sectors—more trade certainty. Lithium vs Land: South Africa’s lithium expansion faces farmer backlash over prospecting licences covering tens of thousands of hectares of farmland.