AGP Executive Report

Arctic Trade Shift: China’s new “Ice Silk Road” route through the Arctic could offer an alternative to Middle East chokepoints as Red Sea traffic stays disrupted. Energy & Investment: ExxonMobil awarded about $1.1bn in pre-investment contracts for Mozambique’s Rovuma LNG Phase 1, backing subsea systems and pushing toward a final investment decision. FIFA Power Struggle: FIFA sacked COO Kevin Lamour after he criticised Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in commercial rights, deepening turmoil ahead of the next leadership fight. Cybersecurity: Interpol warns Africa’s critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted by sophisticated ransomware groups, citing Uganda’s UETCL breach claim. Health Crisis: Ebola in DR Congo is reviving “profiteering” suspicions as payments and accountability concerns undermine response trust; Africa CDC calls for end-to-end financial transparency. Politics & Economy: Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema won a second term, with investors watching continuity as copper-led growth and an IMF push take centre stage. Migration Pressure: Morocco arrested hundreds of migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta as authorities tighten border security after a deadly surge. Governance & Business Climate: Ghana’s new GIPA Act 1173 aims to reset the investment framework with stronger legal protection and alignment to AfCFTA.

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy: Atiku Abubakar marked IBB’s 85th birthday, praising his nation-building legacy and urging unity. Aviation Governance: Nigeria asked IATA to review Osubi Airport’s IATA code “QRW,” arguing it misrepresents the airport’s name and location near Warri. Regional Peace Agenda: SADC chair Cyril Ramaphosa said “peace without development is fragile,” calling for preventative diplomacy and dialogue. Public Health: The EU released €2.3m emergency aid for cholera—€1.5m to Nigeria plus support for Cameroon, CAR and Chad—amid WHO reporting of 61,888 cases and 1,230 deaths across Africa. Trade & Accountability: AfCFTA’s big customs digitisation deal—$3.1bn to Nigeria’s Bergmans—faces scrutiny over opaque credentials. Tech & Connectivity: Airtel and Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in DRC, extending coverage to remote areas. Culture & Sports: Miss Universe Nigeria 2026 kicked off with 20 contestants; Leganés highlighted as a launchpad for African football talent. Human Rights: Senegal’s forced anal examinations case drew condemnation after arrests tied to online fraud/blackmail.

DRC Connectivity Leap: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, letting compatible phones connect directly to satellites without dishes. Tax Reform Push: Nigeria’s Tax Ombud says it will soon roll out a Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and Obligations to boost fairness, transparency and voluntary compliance. Health Tech Upgrade: Kenya is piloting faster malaria testing with automated machines that can diagnose malaria and run blood counts in about a minute. Agriculture for Poverty Reduction: Tanzania links its poverty target to agricultural transformation, calling for major irrigation investment via public-private partnerships. Anti-Corruption Case Update: Nigeria’s EFCC recovered $60m from Nestoil lenders as part of an ongoing debt investigation. Politics in Focus (Nigeria): INEC declared Ademola Adeleke winner of Osun’s governorship election, with renewed calls for peace and unity amid allegations of vote-buying and violence. Sudan Diplomacy: The AU Peace and Security Council rejected foreign interference and parallel governments, urging dialogue and a political settlement.

Osun Election Fallout: Nigeria’s SERAP has urged INEC, EFCC and ICPC to jointly investigate alleged vote-buying, illegal election financing, voter intimidation and violence in the 2026 Osun governorship poll, calling for AU/ECOWAS and UN human-rights scrutiny too. Legal Pressure on Anti-Corruption: Ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai has filed a fresh N10bn suit against ICPC, alleging he was denied access to his wife and son while in custody. Public Health Emergency: DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,665 cases and 2,184 deaths, spreading across six provinces and prompting fresh fears of wider spread. Regional Trade & Mobility: ECOWAS stakeholders met at the Ghana–Togo border to push better implementation of the free movement protocol, with calls for sustained public education. Africa–China Trade Push: Nigeria’s lawmakers and partners highlight China’s zero-tariff expansion as a boost for African industrial and export growth. Digital Systems: Nigeria’s NPC says it has fully digitalised the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system (VitalReg), aiming for faster, safer birth and death records. Security & Tech: Nigeria is moving to locally build armoured vehicles and anti-drone platforms through DICON-D7G. DRC Connectivity Leap: Airtel Africa has launched Starlink mobile service in the DRC, extending satellite-to-phone coverage.

West Africa Energy Push: Niger has signed a deal for a $1.9bn, 100,000-bpd refinery in Dosso under a build-operate-transfer model, aiming to shift from crude exports to refined products and build a wider petrochemical hub. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains badly disrupted, with African governments urged to keep pushing diplomacy as fuel and fertilizer bottlenecks threaten food supplies. Counter-Narcotics: Sierra Leone destroyed 396 cartons of tramadol seized at Freetown’s main port, as authorities tighten maritime controls to curb illicit drug trafficking. Politics & Rights: Kenya’s EALA MP Falhada Iman Dekow condemned Aden Duale’s remarks targeting Aisha Jumwa, calling personal attacks unacceptable in democratic politics. Sports & Coaching: Miguel Cardoso said Kaizer Chiefs’ five-man defence forced a different tactical challenge in Sundowns’ 1-1 draw. Tech & Skills: A Nigerian robotics student in Ghana built a precision agriculture system to help farmers monitor large plots remotely. Digital Economy: NiRA is exploring ways to make .ng domains cheaper for SMEs via discounted bundles and possible vouchers. Tourism Seasonality: Kenya’s tourism industry is urged to build a year-round economy beyond peak migration months.

Migration & Border Security: Morocco has arrested at least 111 people trying to enter Spain’s Ceuta after fresh social-media calls for another mass crossing, as both sides tighten patrols following the July surge that left dozens dead. Public Health: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,200 deaths and 4,700 confirmed infections, with insecurity in Ituri complicating response efforts. Counterterrorism: Nigeria’s Joint Task Force says troops repelled an ISWAP assault on a Borno base, killing attackers and recovering weapons. Peace Process: The DRC and Rwanda agreed on new steps to strengthen monitoring and verification under the Washington Accords, with further planning set for October. Aviation & Business: Zambia Airways named Ethiopian Airlines executive Aman Wole as CEO, while Nigeria’s Ibom Air prepares delivery of its third Airbus A220-300 to boost regional connectivity. Digital Economy: Telna and MTN Bayobab are partnering to expand embedded eSIM services across Africa, aiming to scale travel connectivity. Sports & Culture: Malawi’s UTM leader Kabambe flew to Morocco to back the Scorchers in the WAFCON final, as the tournament draws national attention.

Kenya–China Military Tensions: A US defence report claims China may be courting Kenya for a military base, but China rejects the allegation and warns against Cold War-style fears. Digital Policy Push: Experts say Africa needs stronger digital rules, plus investment in infrastructure and skills, to turn the digital economy into real jobs and growth. US–Nigeria Security Talks: The US and Nigeria reviewed progress on Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern, focusing on protecting Christians, accountability for violence, and military cooperation. DRC–Rwanda Monitoring: DRC and Rwanda agreed to strengthen monitoring of the Washington Accords through a revised operations order and a trilateral planning conference. FIFA Infantino Rift: Gianni Infantino’s 2027 re-election bid is deepening political divisions inside FIFA, with federations split over governance and a proposed private investment plan. Osun Election Security: Nigeria’s Osun governorship race tightens into a two-horse contest as police announce a 42-hour movement restriction ahead of polling. Housing Financing Worry (Kenya): Tax uncertainty and expensive credit are slowing Kenya’s affordable housing drive, with private developers calling for steadier policy and public-private partnership. Ebola Update (DRC): Deaths from Ebola in the DRC have exceeded 2,100 as confirmed cases surpass 4,600, with cross-border health system strain growing. Health (Ghana): Ghana says chronic hepatitis B drives most liver cancer cases, urging earlier testing and treatment access. UAE Trade Expansion: The UAE reports 38 signed CEPAs and rising non-oil trade, highlighting deeper economic links across Africa and beyond.

DRC-Rwanda Security Talks: DRC and Rwanda met in Geneva under the AU and US-Qatar-Togo framework, agreeing to advance monitoring and verification steps for the Washington Accords and plan a trilateral conference in October. Nigeria-China Trade Push: Nigeria is urged to quickly fix production and export capacity as China’s zero-tariff opening grows the Nigeria-China trade window to $18bn in H1 2026, alongside calls to implement the Nigeria-China aquatic products protocol fast. Ghana Sports Funding Reset: Ghana’s National Sports Authority launched a Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee to shift federations from last-minute fundraising to long-term investment and systems for athlete development. Zambia Election Counting: Zambia’s electoral commission resumed presidential and parliamentary vote counting after a suspension over violence and ballot-paper theft, with results due Monday. Uganda Landfill Recovery: UN-Habitat and KCCA handed over the first phase of Kiteezi landfill rehabilitation in Kampala after the 2024 collapse that killed 46 people. Europe Migration Tension: Frontex says irregular EU border crossings fell 37% in early 2026, while Ceuta fears grow as Morocco and Spain tighten controls amid online crossing rumours. US-Nigeria Agriculture Deal: The US Embassy launched the Freedom 250 initiative to deepen agricultural trade and investment, focusing on tech, livestock and private-sector partnerships.

US-Africa Trade: The US Senate extended AGOA for eligible Sub-Saharan exporters through Dec 31, 2028, giving Kenya’s apparel sector (about 70% of exports to the US) more certainty and keeping the third-country fabric rule. Nigeria-Economy: Africa Finance Corporation led a $2.5bn Dangote refinery equity placement as capacity targets rise to 1.4m bpd by 2028. Nigeria-Politics: Ahead of Osun’s governorship vote, police deployed 30 CPs and 15,000 personnel, with drones and aerial surveillance. Nigeria-US Security: Washington and Abuja held a second round of security talks tied to Nigeria’s CPC designation, focusing on protecting Christian communities, accountability, IDPs and military cooperation. Sudan Conflict: Reuters again points to alleged UAE logistical support for RSF atrocities in El Fasher, citing aircraft and supply networks. Zimbabwe Power Struggle: Commentary highlights Vice-President Chiwenga’s “waiting game” and fears of a resource-backed one-party drift. Ghana Tech/Skills: Tsonam Akpeloo was sworn in to lead Ghana’s Applied Technology Institute board to modernise TVET. Women’s Power: West African leaders met in Abuja to push for stronger representation of women in political leadership. FIFA Governance: A FIFA commercial plan timeline shows how Infantino’s proposal triggered a global backlash. Kenya Energy: Kenya plans grid modernisation to better integrate renewables as wind and solar expand. Malawi Social Protection: Malawi’s safety net is criticised for limited coverage, weak monitoring and donor dependence. Ethiopia Press Freedom: CPJ urges Ethiopia to release five journalists detained for three years without trial.

Public Health & Sovereignty: Africa CDC is gearing up for CPHIA 2026 (23–27 Nov) with calls for abstracts and reviewers under the theme of shifting from health dependency to ownership and resilience. Digital Fraud & Identity: A Spain arrest highlights how AI deepfakes can bypass biometrics and liveness checks, pushing the need for stronger defenses at identity issuance and continuous trust. Ghana Digital Economy: A report warns Ghana’s digital push is held back by a “readiness gap” in basics like domain control and reliable hosting, not by lack of ambition. Ghana Energy & Integrity: CIPA Holdings Group won top clean-energy and sustainable infrastructure awards at Ghana’s Business Integrity Awards, spotlighting climate-resilient project financing. Regional Security: Uganda reaffirmed commitment to the Eastern Africa Standby Force, urging interoperability and confidence-building to tackle emerging threats. Sports: Malawi reached the WAFCON final, setting up a showdown with Cameroon after a dramatic run. Elections Watch (Nigeria): Peter Obi urged peace and non-intimidation ahead of Osun’s Aug. 15 governorship vote.

Central African Republic Power Boost: UAE’s Global South Utilities (GSU) inaugurated a 50MW solar PV plant with 15MWh battery storage in Sakaï, aiming to supply clean power to 300,000+ households and cut 50,000+ tonnes of CO₂ annually. Zambia Election Tensions: US senators warned Zambia’s ruling party is undermining the electoral environment ahead of the Aug 13 vote, urging peaceful, fair elections. DRC Ebola Escalation: WHO says the DRC outbreak is on track to eclipse the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic, with transmission concentrated in Ituri and plans to expand surveillance and treatment capacity. Kenya Mental Health Push: A global mission in Kitale, led by Ambassador Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton, delivered mental health training and community outreach alongside a symposium at Mount Kenya University. Osun Election Politics: Nigeria’s ADC alleged a plot to arrest its leader Rauf Aregbesola before the Osun governorship election, warning it could disrupt campaigning. West Africa Energy Market: ECOWAS moved to validate a regional carbon market platform as it targets a $294bn climate-finance gap. E-commerce Growth: IFC invested $25m in Jumia to expand digital commerce infrastructure across Africa, supporting sellers, jobs and sales agents. Tanzania Clean Cooking Bet: Tanzania is leaning on domestic natural gas to speed up clean cooking and strengthen energy security. DRC Ebola Response: Africa CDC and WHO call for faster, community-led action to contain Ebola in the DRC. Malawi WAFCON Shock: Malawi, led by the Chawinga sisters, reached the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final after beating Algeria 3-1. Kenya-China Showcase: Nairobi hosted a 500-drone skyline show celebrating Kenya-China friendship as part of the 2026 China-Africa people-to-people year.

Osun Election Tensions: Nigeria’s Osun governorship race stays in the spotlight after allegations of threatening rhetoric by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, raising fresh concerns about intimidation and election safety. Ghana Education Reform Debate: Ghana’s BECE grading system is under fire as private schools accuse WAEC of a “MAFIA” marking scheme, pushing calls for a review focused on both certification and placement. Security Crackdown in Ghana: Ghana Police disbanded seven armed robbery syndicates in Upper East, seizing weapons including AK-47s and arresting suspects after intelligence-led operations. West Africa Press Freedom: MFWA urges Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea to end arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention of journalists and civil society actors. DRC Ebola Update: WHO says the DRC outbreak is on track to surpass the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic, with transmission concentrated in Ituri and deaths increasingly occurring in communities. Climate Finance Push: ECOWAS moves to set up a regional carbon market platform to close a $294bn climate-finance gap. Migration Warning: IOM reports migrant journeys are deadlier even as Europe arrivals fall, with major increases in deaths on the Central and Eastern Mediterranean routes. Youth and Skills: AU marks International Youth Day with a call for real investment in education, skills and decision-making.

US-Africa Trade: The US Senate approved a two-year extension of AGOA for 32 African nations, keeping duty-free access on 1,800+ products until Dec 2028. Ebola Crisis: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths, with experts warning it’s spreading faster than the 2014-16 outbreak. Energy & Trade: Nigeria’s regulator says Africa must move from oil price-taking to price discovery and trading hubs, as oil prices rise amid Middle East shipping risks. Deep Offshore Investment: Nigeria’s President Tinubu approved a rules-based framework to unlock up to $50bn for deep offshore projects, aiming to restart stalled developments. Agriculture Push: Japan pledged $3.5m to boost Nigeria’s rice seed production and strengthen certified seed supply. Regional Deals: Nigeria and Botswana are building a trade gateway for SADC, using AfCFTA preferential access. Liberia Development: UN calls on Liberia to shift from “peace to prosperity” by moving from aid dependence toward investment and measurable results. Hospitality & Tourism: IHG signed a deal to bring its Noted Collection brand to Riyadh, with a 2026 opening. Human Rights: Amnesty International filed to join Namibia’s fight over a Germany-Namibia genocide reparations joint declaration.

Ebola Frontline in DRC: Congo’s Ebola outbreak keeps accelerating, with deaths now reported at 2,011 and 4,381 confirmed cases across five provinces, as health workers in Mongbwalu juggle isolation, contact monitoring and mounting pressure on frontline staff. Regional Security Diplomacy: Turkey’s Erdogan calls the Saudi “Makkah Joint Defense Agreement” a strategic, deterrent-focused pact aimed at stability beyond any single crisis, while Somalia’s PM Hamza Barre sharply criticises international partners for treating Mogadishu like a transitional state. Ghana Health Tech & Policy: Ghana expands its HPV vaccination push for adolescent girls and leans on drone delivery to fix the “last-mile” problem in medical supplies, while the country also prepares to implement a Maritime and Related Offences Bill to strengthen maritime enforcement. Economy & Investment: Kenya holds its benchmark rate at 8.75% as it weighs fuel-driven inflation risks from the Middle East conflict; Uganda’s UDB backs the Rwenzori Marathon with UGX 20m to boost tourism. Business & Resources: Lake Victoria Gold reports a maiden resource at its Tembo Gold Project in Tanzania, and Ghana’s EU-backed Sankofa II enters a three-year phase to protect forts and castles and grow the creative sector.

Travel & Trade Access: Beyond the Plains Safaris is expanding its North American travel advisor program after Kenya Airways’ JetBlue codeshare, giving U.S. agents easier single-ticket access to Nairobi and Kenya’s safari circuit. Fintech & Payments: Maplerad says it has crossed $500m in processed transactions, as African fintechs push programmable cross-border payments, collections, FX and stablecoin rails. Workplace Wellness: Workable in Nairobi becomes Africa’s first shared workspace operator to earn the WELL Coworking Rating, adding to its EDGE certification. Regional Security: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed a framework for a joint defence agreement, treating an attack on any signatory as an attack on all. Sports & Politics: Former Nigerian education minister Oby Ezekwesili urges Nigerians to reject “decline” politics ahead of 2027, backing Peter Obi. FIFA Fallout: Donald Trump publicly backs Gianni Infantino amid FIFA controversy and calls to replace him. Energy & Investment: Nigeria’s upstream regulator projects $50bn in offshore investment across 22 projects in 2026-2030. Health & Education Funding: The Gambia plans a study tour to Nigeria’s TETFund as it sets up a similar higher-education trust.

FIFA Power Struggle: UEFA, CONCACAF and AFC have renewed pressure on Gianni Infantino, saying football “belongs to no individual” after renewed controversy over his leadership and plans. Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain has cancelled leave for troops in Ceuta as fears grow of another mass crossing, while local leaders demand faster detention and expulsion measures. West Africa Trade Friction: NOPPMAN is urging ECOWAS to intervene after Ghana restrictions keep Nigerian and Nigerien onion trucks stuck at Kotoku Market, warning of mounting losses and supply-chain damage. Digital Transformation in Africa: Rwanda and Planet launched a national satellite data programme to feed government decisions on agriculture, forests and disaster planning, while Ethiopia’s MESOB showcased integrated one-stop digital public services to visiting ambassadors. Security Update: Nigeria’s troops say they repelled an ISWAP attack on a Borno base, killing fighters and recovering weapons. Climate Diplomacy: African negotiators met in Accra to lock in priorities for COP31 and the Global Just Transition Mechanism. Youth & Skills: Telecel Group backed Ghana’s Skills for School programme with $50,000, reaching thousands of junior high students.