AGP Executive Report

Ebola in DR Congo: UN agencies say women and children are hit hardest in Ituri, where nearly 1 million people are displaced and health service use has fallen by 40% as fear rises; maternal deaths are nearly doubled since the outbreak began, and UN/WHO/Africa CDC stress restoring community confidence while shifting to village-by-village response as cases surge past 4,000. Ghana Finance for the 24-hour economy: Ghana’s central bank says it’s working with the AfDB and other lenders to unlock longer-term, specialised financing for businesses under the 24-hour economy agenda, including encouraging banks to offer longer repayment terms and moratoriums. EACOP progress: Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline construction is at 91% completion, edging the project toward first oil expected by year-end. EU tech crackdown after Ceuta: The EU urges Meta and TikTok to boost monitoring and fact-checking after a Ceuta migrant surge fueled online rumours, while Spain and Italy trade retaliatory border measures. Ethiopia TVET digital skills: UNESCO-backed assessments aim to close digital competency gaps for TVET teachers and trainees, feeding into Ethiopia’s digital transformation push.

Football Governance: CAF has unanimously reaffirmed support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino after FIFA’s “Joint Update” admitted mistakes in the aborted FIFA Forward Enterprise plan, backing his 2027 re-election bid. Humanitarian Crisis: In Gaza, a ceasefire’s credibility is being judged by civilian harm, with UNICEF citing reports of at least 300 Palestinian children killed in the 300 days after the ceasefire announcement. Ebola Response: Africa CDC and WHO say DRC’s Ebola fight is shifting to village-level community response, alongside free healthcare, workforce support and faster vaccine research. Migration Diplomacy: Italy says it will keep border checks on arrivals from Spain’s Ceuta until at least Aug 15, rejecting Madrid’s threat of reciprocal measures; Barcelona also cancelled a friendly over the crisis. Regional Water Politics: Ethiopia is being urged to build more mega dams on the Abay (Blue Nile) after GERD, to consolidate gains on equitable Nile use. Nigeria Politics & Economy: Tinubu approved a diaspora investment mission to Canada; meanwhile, Peter Obi donated ₦10m to a nursing college in Nsukka.

Ebola Surge in DRC: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has crossed 4,000 cases for the first time, with 1,850 deaths, and experts warn it may have been spreading months before it was declared—highlighting major gaps in surveillance and response. Mpox Vaccine Expansion: The EU has approved Bavarian Nordic’s MVA-BN smallpox/mpox vaccine for children aged 2 to under 12, widening access to a key non-replicating option. Burkina Faso Democracy Crackdown: Burkina Faso’s junta leader Ibrahim Traoré says people should “forget” democracy, pushing repression further amid an ongoing jihadist insurgency. East Africa Energy Deal: Uganda and Tanzania signed a framework for the Tanga Regional Energy Hub, aiming to shift from crude exports to refining, storage, logistics and petrochemicals—potentially attracting $20bn+. Digital Trade Payments: Stanbic Bank Uganda integrated with China’s CIPS to let firms settle in yuan directly, cutting FX friction and speeding payments. Football Governance: CAF backed FIFA’s Infantino after FIFA withdrew a controversial commercial-rights plan and apologized, pledging a review.

Sudan’s Sexual Violence Crisis: In El Obeid, North Kordofan, displaced women describe rape and beatings by RSF members, often in front of family—showing how siege-style fighting turns homes, roads and camps into battlefields. Ebola Emergency in DRC: WHO chief Tedros warns the Ituri outbreak is spreading faster than response capacity as cases double, with Kinshasa on alert after a suspected Ebola-like death on a crowded barge. Ceuta Migrant Fallout: Spain’s Ceuta says most migrants have been returned to Morocco after a surge that killed dozens, while EU officials press for stronger cooperation and Morocco faces scrutiny. East Africa Energy Deal: Uganda and Tanzania sign with Vitol Bahrain to build the Tanga Regional Energy Hub, aiming to deepen fuel storage, refining and trade ahead of Uganda’s commercial oil push. Food Aid to Hunger Zones: A new U.S. Food for Peace shipment—wheat and rice via Mombasa—targets starvation emergencies, including Ethiopia. Ghana Opioid Warning: Ghana’s opioid crisis is framed as a fast-growing synthetic drug threat, with calls for coordinated, root-cause action. Africa-UN Leadership Push: A pan-African think tank backs Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola for UN Secretary-General, arguing for African leadership at the center of global decisions.

Ebola Response Under Strain: WHO chief says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than efforts to contain it, with cases and deaths rising as health workers strike over pay. US Boosts Aid: Washington pledges an extra $242m for Ebola response and preparedness in DRC and Uganda, pushing total direct support above $512m. Security in Nigeria: The Nigerian Army declares 38 senior ISWAP leaders wanted in the Lake Chad region, offering rewards for information leading to arrests. FIFA Governance Shake-up: FIFA apologises to member associations over mistakes in its abandoned World Cup commercial-rights plan, while Infantino’s leadership faces renewed scrutiny after a crisis meeting in Morocco. Ceuta Migration Fallout: Spain’s Ceuta says the remaining unaccompanied minors situation is “unsustainable,” as thousands of migrants have already returned to Morocco after the late-July rush. Digital ID Push in Ethiopia: Ethiopia turns its Fayda National ID program into Faydaverse, a state-owned enterprise folded into the sovereign wealth fund to scale biometric ID and eKYC services. India-Africa Diplomacy: Jaishankar says Africa is India’s priority and calls for a due place in global order, linking the message to plans to reconvene the India-Africa Forum Summit.

UAE–AU Diplomacy: Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan met African Union Commission’s Dr Mamadou Tangara to reaffirm UAE support for peace, stability and sustainable development in the Sahel. FIFA Power Struggle: Pressure is mounting on Gianni Infantino after a failed push for private investment, reviving questions about FIFA leadership. Red Sea Security: Houthis say they’re widening attacks on Saudi shipping into the northern Red Sea to deter routes via the Suez Canal. Food Security Shock: WFP warns El Niño could worsen hunger for 18+ million people across East and Southern Africa, with risks peaking later in 2026 and spilling into 2027. Digital Payments & Stablecoins: Western Union launched Stablecard with Visa-linked spending using USDPT stablecoins, while Onafriq and Privy teamed up to build stablecoin-enabled settlement tools for African businesses. Africa–Caribbean Trade: Ghana’s President Mahama’s Jamaica visit focuses on flights, trade, health, culture and reparatory justice. Business & Investment: Tanzania’s Samia invited global investors at Africa50 and Infra for Africa, urging faster project delivery over planning. Sports Marketing: Nigeria’s Daniel Amokachi was unveiled as 22Bet’s Pan-African brand ambassador.

Ceuta Migration Death Toll: Spain says 77 people died in last week’s mass crossing into Ceuta, with 79 bodies recovered and fingerprint checks now needing data sent to Morocco. Middle East Energy Diplomacy: A US official says a Strait of Hormuz deal with Iran could be reached “today or tomorrow,” rattling oil markets as attacks continue in the Red Sea. Morocco Waste-to-Energy: Morocco signed a concession for a $1.5bn Casablanca solid-waste project, aiming to cut landfill use and generate about 1TWh a year. Ghana Health AI Push: Ghana is positioning itself as an AI-for-health trailblazer via a WHO-backed programme focused on surveillance and health-system resilience. Nigeria Security & Protests: Nigerian troops arrested Boko Haram/ISWAP collaborators and intercepted fleeing families; meanwhile lawyers’ group LIDD says it will deploy legal teams for Aug 5 demonstrations. Cybercrime Warning: INTERPOL reports AI drives over half of Africa’s cybercrime, with losses rising to $484m since 2024. Ghana–Jamaica Ties: President Mahama addressed Jamaica’s parliament on Emancipation Day, stressing Africa–Caribbean links.

Ceuta Crisis: Spain says it has returned most of the roughly 72,000 migrants who surged into Ceuta from Morocco, insisting the episode did not “compromise” Schengen, while EU interior ministers push for tougher action against smuggling networks and social-media disinformation after dozens died. EU–Africa Media: The European Commission formally responded to the Congress of African Journalists, backing independent reporting and urging CAJ to keep engaging EU delegations for future cooperation. Climate Impact: East Africa’s iconic glaciers are shrinking fast, with Mt Kenya’s ice cap projected to vanish within a few years, raising stakes for water and ecosystems. Health Partnership (Kenya): Kenya and the Beginnings Fund signed a five-year deal to expand maternal and newborn care, targeting preventable deaths through workforce, medicines, and referral upgrades. Women & Governance (ECOWAS): ECOWAS plans to roll out a Gender Equality Seal for public institutions next year to drive gender-responsive reforms across regional bodies. Energy & Investment (Nigeria): Delta State’s summit pitches the state as a top investment destination, with Vice President Shettima citing improved macro stability and credit upgrades. Sports Governance (FIFA): FIFA’s internal rifts deepen as Infantino’s “FIFA Forward” plan collapses and more senior figures break ranks.

Ceuta Crisis & EU Migration Rift: EU home affairs ministers meet after Morocco-linked chaos at Spain’s Ceuta enclave, where tens of thousands surged in and at least 72 died; the European Commission is pushing stronger border controls and early-warning systems, while Italy and Denmark press for tougher steps and Spain faces fresh criticism over how it handled the fallout. Morocco Leverage Question: Analysts and witnesses say the speed of the border breach raises doubts about whether Rabat eased security, though Morocco denies any official relaxation and blames misinformation and trafficking networks. Oil Markets: Crude prices rebounded after a sharp sell-off as US-Iran tensions kept supply risks alive, with shipping disruptions around key routes adding pressure. Somalia Security Transition: IGAD’s deputy chief Mohamed Ware backs an African-led handover plan for AUSSOM, stressing a coordinated transition to Somali forces. Ghana Football Pay: Ghana’s Black Stars management committee says each member received $50,000 tied to player appearance fees. Kenya Water Financing: Experts urge Kenya to make water and sanitation projects bankable for private capital, citing a major funding gap. Nigeria Politics: Parties are lining up campaign structures ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 election kickoff on Aug 19.

EU Migration Crisis: EU leaders clash over Spain’s handling of the Ceuta border rush after tens of thousands crossed from Morocco; von der Leyen calls border security a “shared European responsibility” and backs physical barriers, while France rejects a letter from 22 partners for “instrumentalizing” the crisis. Gaza Diplomacy: Iran pledges continued support for Hamas as Trump pushes a Gaza disarmament deal, with Hamas highlighting leadership changes and Tehran’s backing. Agriculture & Water: Ghanaian rice trials show farmers can cut irrigation water by over 30% using Alternate Wetting and Drying without reducing yields. Environment & Farming: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is backed by peer-reviewed research citing higher survival rates, forest gains and cooling effects. Women’s Leadership: Rwanda launches a continental academy for women in political leadership in Kigali with an inaugural cohort of 40. Power & Industry: Ghana’s VRA urges African utilities to collaborate on a single electricity market and explores nuclear as part of an energy mix. Finance & Telecoms: Safaricom approves its highest-ever dividend payout, while MTN Ghana reports strong service revenue growth after fintech separation. Sports Governance: FIFA president Infantino faces mounting pressure after a World Cup investor plan backfires.

Ceuta Crisis: Spain says at least 72 people died during a mass migrant rush into its North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, while Morocco’s interior ministry puts the toll at 11—sparking fresh EU anger and calls for tougher border moves as most of the tens of thousands who crossed have returned. Ebola Surge in DRC: WHO warns the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is intensifying at an “exceptional” pace and is now the largest recorded in the country, with 3,605 confirmed cases and 1,587 deaths as of late July. Ghana Energy Push: President John Dramani Mahama commissions refurbished Tema Oil Refinery and directs plans to expand capacity to 100,000 barrels a day, aiming to cut political interference. Nigeria Civic Space Under Threat: 71 civil society groups warn Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads and urge lawmakers to withdraw bills they say would restrict civic freedoms ahead of 2027. Ethiopia Green Legacy: Ethiopia launches a nationwide drive to plant 800 million tree seedlings in a single day as part of its wider 8 billion seedlings rainy-season target. ECOWAS Trade for MSMEs: ECOWAS Parliament calls for harmonised customs, taxes and business rules to remove barriers holding back West Africa’s small businesses. Sickle Cell Integration: Health experts in Nairobi discuss embedding sickle cell services into Universal Health Coverage, focusing on screening, diagnosis, treatment and insurance coverage. Kenya Cost-of-Living Pressure: Reports highlight rising transport and electricity costs squeezing Nairobi households even as inflation data stays relatively subdued. Ghana Oil Refinery & Jobs: The Dangote refinery tour underscores Nigeria’s push for industrialisation and value addition through large-scale manufacturing.

Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain’s North Africa enclave of Ceuta is reeling after a mass Morocco–Spain border rush that left at least 72 dead, with tens of thousands crossing and many returning within 48 hours; Spain has started installing a 500-metre floating barrier and the EU is convening emergency talks as the diplomatic fallout grows. EU Border Politics: EU interior ministers are set to meet after 22 member states pushed for coordinated action, while Spain accuses some governments of “selfish” responses amid renewed pressure over Schengen and external border control. Uganda–Israel Ties: Uganda unveiled a statue honouring Yonatan Netanyahu, killed in the 1976 Entebbe rescue, underscoring deepening security and diplomatic links. Ethiopia Diplomacy & Climate: Addis Ababa hosted major AU and security-focused events, while Ethiopia prepares for its Green Legacy push to plant 800 million trees in a single day. Nigeria Security & Governance: Nigerian troops forced militants to surrender arms in Anambra, and the US condemned Kaduna killings, urging Tinubu to protect Middle Belt communities. Tech & Energy: London AI firm ATAVUS says it has a 10GW+ renewable pipeline, and ICAN urged Zaria’s new leadership to prioritize innovation and accountability.

Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain says crossings into its North African enclave of Ceuta have dropped to virtually zero after reinforcing border controls, including a new 500-metre floating sea barrier, following a surge of 50,000–60,000 migrants from Morocco that left at least 67 dead. EU Emergency Response: The EU will hold an emergency meeting of interior ministers after 22 leaders demanded coordinated action, highlighting deep divisions over Schengen and border policy. Nigeria 2027 Elections: Nigeria’s INEC published presidential candidates’ particulars and running mates’ details for the January 2027 vote, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as Tinubu and Atiku. Ghana 5G Rollout: Ghana’s telecom regulator delayed the 5G spectrum auction and tightened ownership rules for operators, aiming for a more secure and competitive rollout. DRC Ebola & Conservation: Virunga National Park in eastern DRC is expanding health checkpoints and ranger support to help protect communities and mountain gorillas as Ebola cases continue. Nigeria Energy Access: Nigeria launched LPG rollout under the Decade of Gas plan, targeting clean cooking for millions of households by 2030. West Africa Gender Institutions: ECOWAS urged countries to strengthen national gender institutions to speed up gender equality and regional commitments.

Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain says crossings into its North African enclave of Ceuta have largely stopped after a mass rush from Morocco that killed at least 67, with police installing a 500-metre floating barrier and reporting nearly all entrants have returned; EU Politics & Border Fallout: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez hit back at EU allies over “selfish” responses and Schengen talk, while France and Italy tightened border controls and pushed for emergency EU interior talks; West Africa Women’s Leadership: ECOWAS and Nigeria backed reforms aimed at gender parity in political leadership by 2035, with an Abuja Action Agenda to tackle legal, financial and institutional barriers; Ghana Cocoa Reform: Ghana passed the COCOBOD Bill guaranteeing farmers at least 70% of the cocoa export price, reshaping oversight of the cocoa value chain; Nigeria Security & Politics: Troops in Borno arrested ISWAP collaborators as family members surrendered, while Atiku Abubakar fired back at Obasanjo over the third-term fight; Zambia HIV Funding Worry: Zambia’s health leadership warns US HIV funding cuts could raise new infections if community prevention work is squeezed; Uganda Oil Economics Debate: Analysts say Uganda’s oil dream faces shifting economics despite construction momentum; Ghana/Regional Health Oversight: Uganda’s MakBRC TB project (STool4TB) is under scrutiny over unspent funds, procurement gaps and reporting delays.

Ceuta Migration Crisis: Spain faces a major political backlash after up to 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into the EU’s North Africa enclave of Ceuta, with at least 34 deaths reported; France and Italy tightened border controls, and Italy suspended Schengen rules with Spain for a month. UN Leadership Race: UN trade and development chief Rebeca Grynspan emerged as an early favourite in informal Security Council voting for the next secretary-general, though veto-wielding support remains unclear. Ghana Infrastructure Push: The World Bank says Ghana needs about US$37bn yearly to close its infrastructure gap as urban flooding, housing shortages and waste problems worsen. US Visa Shift for Nigeria: The US designated its Lagos consulate as Nigeria’s routine visa processing hub, ending routine services in Abuja from Aug 1. Nigeria Security & Justice: Troops in Borno rescued 31 civilians after foiling a Boko Haram/ISWAP abduction attempt; meanwhile, Ogun nurses allege harassment and oppose a planned transfer of an assault victim. Airlines Cash Crunch: AFRAA warns blocked funds are undermining African carriers’ viability and connectivity. Trade & Deals: Kenya plans a major business summit to push AfCFTA deals, while The Gambia and Gabon signed agreements to boost trade, diplomacy and agriculture.

Ceuta Border Crisis: Spain says up to 60,000 migrants surged into its North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in 24 hours, with dozens dead as crowds overwhelmed border controls; Madrid blames trafficking networks and vows rapid returns, while EU partners debate whether to suspend Spain’s Schengen access. Spain–Israel Diplomatic Rift: The Ceuta emergency spills into politics online, with Israel’s UN envoy accusing Spain of double standards and colonial hypocrisy, prompting sharp rebuttals and fresh tensions over Gaza. Morocco’s Sovereignty Push: A palace-adjacent Moroccan outlet used the Ceuta chaos to renew Rabat’s claim that Ceuta and Melilla are “occupied” and should be reintegrated into Morocco. AU Somalia Funding Pressure: AU Commission chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged predictable, sustainable financing for AUSSOM at a Kampala summit, stressing Somali ownership and the need to keep pressure on Al Shabaab. Regional Health Cooperation: Kenya and 10 other countries are drafting a framework to jointly procure emergency medical supplies during outbreaks, aiming to cut costs and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers. Ghana Creative Economy: A Ghana-focused op-ed argues the country must move from visibility and virality to ownership and wealth-building systems. US Visa Changes: The US will end routine visa services at its Abuja mission from August 1, shifting processing to Lagos. Aviation Standards: African aviation bodies urge harmonised passenger data systems (API/PNR) to avoid higher costs and improve security.