AGP Executive Report

India–Ethiopia Defence Push: Modi met Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed at BRICS, focusing on defence, investment, critical minerals and clean energy. Africa–US Creative Deal: California and Lagos plan a Sept 17–18 summit in Sacramento/San Francisco to turn culture into trade and investment. Cybersecurity: Russian hackers used Claude AI to automate attacks across Ukraine and Europe, targeting governments and defence firms. GNA Modernisation (Ghana): The Ghana News Agency board set priorities for digital multimedia upgrades, recruitment and new revenue streams. Somalia–Türkiye Space Plans: Somalia expects its first satellite launch in 2027, with a space operations facility planned in Warsheekh. Niger Coup Fallout: Niger’s junta appointed a new chief of staff after a thwarted mutiny shook Niamey. Nigeria Goes Digital: Nigeria’s mobile money surge is backed by 195.9m active SIMs and massive POS transfers. Migration Crisis (Ceuta): Spain’s Ceuta faces political fallout after a mass Morocco-to-enclave crossing left scores dead. Rwanda Clean Air Day: Rwanda marked Clean Air for Blue Skies with calls for collective action to cut pollution. Malawi Rare Earths Reality Check: Communities near Songwe Hill say they hear promises of jobs and money, but lack details on benefits.

Sports & Inclusion: Tanzania says para-athletes are being blocked from international chances because local classification services lack international certification, forcing costly trips abroad and sometimes ending in “not eligible” results. Environment vs Growth: Namibia’s officials argue conservation shouldn’t be an absolute brake on industry, pointing to coexistence examples like Tsau //Khaeb amid mining-claim disputes. Health Diplomacy: Namibia rejects US demands for access to HIV and pathogen data, citing sovereignty and privacy, as the US plans to stop funding Namibia’s HIV programme after 2027. Trade & Borders: Nigeria and Benin move to close customs systems gaps at Sèmè–Kraké with plans for real-time data sharing to cut delays and improve enforcement. Climate Finance: Somalia shares its climate-finance approach at a Brazil meeting, stressing whole-of-government resilience in fragile settings. Geopolitics: A debate on Russia-Africa policy highlights that Russia’s influence still leans more on irregular security and summit diplomacy than on cash compared with rivals. Botswana Green Economy: Botswana plans to partner with Zimbabwe’s waste firm to turn landfills into recycling hubs and green energy.

Angola Oil & Gas push: Angola’s AOG 2026 wrapped in Luanda with new exploration announcements and big deals, with a spotlight on building downstream capacity to cut fuel imports and sell refined products regionally. Namibia–China culture ties: Namibia and China held a culture fair at the Chinese Embassy, with China pledging support for a Namibian authors and writers award. Nigeria politics & security: Save Nigeria Group USA condemned the reported attack and blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue, calling it unacceptable in a democracy. Health support: Kakamega County received oxygen equipment for 10 primary facilities under an Oxygen as a Service programme, alongside staff training. Peacebuilding funding debate: Nigeria’s IPCR urged sustained investment in prevention and early warning, arguing peace budgets remain far too low. Maps and diplomacy: Japan said a UN-backed “true size” world map was corrected after it showed disputed islands off Hokkaido in Russia’s colour. Ebola reminder: A new report revisits how the 2014 Ebola outbreak triggered global panic and notes the current outbreak could surpass it. Ghana mining rules: Ghana’s regulator is drafting minimum wage and tender benchmarks to curb underbidding in contract mining. Kenya infrastructure finance: Kenya is seeking fresh AIIB funding for the Mau Summit–Malaba expressway and JKIA modernisation.

Diplomatic Fallout: Algeria has cut diplomatic ties with the UAE, accusing Abu Dhabi of “provocative and hostile” actions, summoning the ambassador and giving 48 hours to comply; Algeria also moves to close its airspace to UAE-registered aircraft. Maritime Security: Somalia’s pirates are sustaining hijackings at an elevated rate, adding pressure to Red Sea shipping lanes as regional rivalries and armed groups complicate responses. Energy Deals: Angola’s oil and gas conference in Luanda saw Heads of Terms signed for Blocks 8 and 22 in the Kwanza Basin with QatarEnergy, Shell and Sonangol, underscoring investor focus on the next phase of development. Women’s Sports: Nigeria’s D’Tigress finally received the remaining presidential cash reward after a 402-day wait, with players paid the naira equivalent of $100,000 each. Defense Cooperation: The US delivered new military equipment to Nigeria’s Air Force under a foreign military sales deal aimed at counterterrorism. Africa’s Map Moment: The UN’s push for the “Equal Earth” map continues to spark debate, with Japan demanding corrections over how disputed islands are shown. Global Fundraising: Global Fund of Africa launched a $1bn campaign for 2027–2030 ahead of a replenishment conference in Ottawa.

Development Finance: Qatar Fund for Development officials met African LDCs in Addis Ababa to review the Doha Programme of Action, stressing widening financing gaps, debt pressure and climate vulnerability—and the need for flexible funding to support graduation and resilience. Oil & Industry: TotalEnergies says it plans $10bn in Angola over five years with partners, including Kaminho production and new exploration licences. Infrastructure & Aviation: Cape Town is pushing ahead with a second international airport plan, pegged at R8bn–R10bn, while DP World and GulfCap signed to develop Kenya’s 222-hectare Mombasa Industrial Park as a special economic zone. Trade & Partnerships: The US will help Kenya build critical minerals processing capacity for rare earths and niobium, as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on China. Health & Society: Sierra Leone’s First Lady helped secure a UN resolution creating an International Day to prevent and eliminate child, early and forced marriage. Agriculture Policy: Tanzania farmers warn an EAC seed law could weaken indigenous seeds and farmer-managed systems. Business & Women: Access Bank opened applications for Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton season 8, with training and grants for 120 women entrepreneurs across Africa. Security & Governance: Nigeria’s insurance recapitalisation push aims to better protect manufacturers from industrial risks, while Liberia’s Boakai urged urgent action to tackle non-performing loans.

Cultural Diplomacy: Namibia and China moved to deepen people-to-people ties via a Windhoek culture fair, with plans for youth exchanges and support for creative industries. Critical Minerals Deal: The US offered Kenya factories and industrial partnerships tied to rare earth and niobium deposits at Mrima Hill, aiming for processing and jobs—though the proposal faces legal challenge. Health Security: Tanzania warned that dependence on imported medicines and supplies leaves health systems exposed, urging investment in local manufacturing as global shocks continue. Industrial Jobs Push: Kenya’s Mombasa Industrial Park is set to attract 60+ firms in its first phase, linking manufacturers to regional and global markets under AfCFTA and trade deals. AI Infrastructure Race: Egypt plans a large-scale AI data centre using Nvidia tech, starting with a 20MW phase, as AI competition intensifies across the region. UN Map Politics: The UN backed “Correct the Map,” boosting Africa’s representation on world maps—an issue with political symbolism and global debate. Women in Politics: Nigeria’s INEC urged parties to turn declarations into action to lift women’s candidacy and elective representation ahead of 2027. Security: The US carried out an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab in Somalia in coordination with Somali authorities.

UN Map Correction: The UN moved to “correct the map,” backing a more accurate world projection that makes Africa look much bigger, with the US the lone no-vote—sparking fresh debate in schools and diplomacy. Maritime Security: The USS Ross docked in Mombasa as Red Sea tensions and Horn of Africa competition keep reshaping regional sea-lane security. Nigeria–Boko Haram: Reports say Nigeria and Boko Haram have held a secret ceasefire for months, linked to the release of hundreds of abducted civilians in Borno. AI Infrastructure: Vodafone Business and Cassava Technologies launched Egypt’s first sovereign AI factory, aiming to boost local data processing and cybersecurity. Kenya Health Deal: President Ruto signed agreements for 15 new hospitals with Italy, expanding county and national referral capacity. Trade & Ports: Nigeria’s Badagry deep-sea port deal advanced as APM Terminals entered exclusive talks, targeting jobs and regional trade. DRC Ebola: Ebola deaths in the DRC reportedly reached 3,200 as WFP urged more international support. Liberia Coffee Boost: Liberia signed a US$60m coffee partnership to revive production and back nearly 200,000 smallholders.

Deportation Safety Alarm: Police in Equatorial Guinea reportedly pulled guns on US third-country deportees in Malabo after a dispute over mobile phones, with lawyers warning of security risks and poor access to medical and legal support. Regional Currency Push: ECOWAS has ordered steps to fast-track the ECO single-currency rollout, reviewing progress and pushing coordination ahead of a planned 1 July 2027 launch. Tax Reform Drive: The AU and ATAF are stepping up efforts to plug tax loopholes and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, including using African tax cooperation tools to curb cross-border evasion. Ebola Funding Boost: Africa CDC welcomed increased UK support for the DRC and Uganda Ebola response, raising UK assistance to €78.7m to strengthen cross-border preparedness. Oil Milestone: Uganda says first commercial oil from CNOOC’s Kingfisher field is expected by end-2026, with exports following as the EACOP pipeline nears readiness. Maritime Investment: Nigeria has begun exclusive talks with APM Terminals on the Badagry Deep-Seaport to expand deepwater capacity and create cargo and transhipment jobs. GBV Implementation Pressure: Southern African stakeholders are calling for stronger GBV funding and prevention as they review five years of commitments and warn of shrinking civic space.

Liberia Governance & Oil Oversight: Liberia’s county superintendents are urged to drive development through education, health, roads and agriculture, while the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority joins the African Petroleum Regulators Forum to strengthen oil and gas regulation as new licensing moves ahead. Health Security: African health ministers adopted a regional framework to build permanent national emergency medical teams by 2030, shifting from reaction to readiness. Cross-Border Disease Control: South Sudan and Uganda signed an MoU to share outbreak data, coordinate surveillance and deploy joint mobile health teams. Immunisation Logistics: Nimba County, Liberia, opened a modern EPI cold-chain depot to improve vaccine storage and outreach. Youth Enterprise Support (Liberia): Liberia launched the YEIB-MANCO Technical Assistance Program to help young entrepreneurs formalise and grow businesses before financing. Politics & Economic Transformation: Ethiopia will host the African Political Parties Summit in November under a growth-focused theme. Diplomacy (Oman–Rwanda): Oman’s foreign minister met Rwanda’s counterpart in Salalah to expand investment, trade and logistics ties. Business & Investment: Dangote’s refinery IPO opens retail participation at low entry prices, while Liberia’s NPL resolution conference is set to tackle non-performing loans.

UN World Map Push: The UN General Assembly adopted “Correct the Map,” backing the Equal Earth projection to show Africa’s true size more accurately; 164 countries voted for it, with the U.S. the lone no vote. Maternal Health Training: Namibia launched a three-day Safe-Birth Africa programme to train health workers on preventing postpartum haemorrhage and other obstetric emergencies, citing preventable maternal deaths. Anti-graft Focus: Nigeria’s EFCC highlights results from its anti-corruption drive under Ola Olukoyede, including major asset recovery and stronger enforcement. E-mobility in Kenya: A battery-swap network rollout is drawing at least 10 new EV makers to Kenya, raising competition in the fast-growing two- and three-wheeler market. Dangote IPO: Dangote Petroleum Refinery unveiled a N2.15tn IPO aimed at broad public participation, with expansion plans to double capacity. SME Funding Readiness: Ghana’s Deloitte and UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce urged SMEs to prioritize “bankability” over growth to unlock financing. Cross-border Payments: Nigeria’s Nomba secured a $3m debt facility to scale cross-border payments and expand corridors. Local Governance: Namibia’s Rundu Town Council launched a wholly owned commercial subsidiary to generate revenue while keeping public service delivery first.

UN Map Push: The UN General Assembly backed Africa’s “Correct the Map” resolution in a 164–1 vote, with Eswatini joining the chorus; the shift could pressure publishers and tech platforms to move away from Mercator-style distortions. Ghana Fire Safety: Ghana’s National Fire Service is rolling out a digital Automated Fire Compliance and Safety System after years of paper-based gaps and market infernos. El Niño Warning: A new El Niño-linked forecast flags worsening drought and food shocks for Sri Lanka, with knock-on risks to health and foreign exchange. Regional Diplomacy: Nigeria helped secure former Sierra Leone president Ernest Koroma’s safe return to Freetown after a two-year stay, citing ECOWAS-led confidence-building. Digital Economy: Nigeria’s FCCPC has started probing Uber’s abrupt exit, focusing on how customers were handled. Mining Watch: Malawi’s rare-earth and critical-minerals boom could lift the economy, but experts warn against repeating the “export raw, keep little” trap. East Africa Energy: A refinery plan is reigniting old disputes over where infrastructure should sit, with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania still at odds. Horn of Africa Sovereignty: Djibouti’s president warned against foreign interference as the country faces intensifying regional competition.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, urging use of more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth after decades of Mercator distortion that made Africa look smaller; Regional Diplomacy: East Africa’s federation dream stays elusive as a new pilgrimage tries to revive the vision of leaders like Nyerere and Obote; Climate & Carbon Finance: VCMI and the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance partnered to help East African states build credible voluntary carbon markets; Agribusiness Finance: IFAD and AgDevCo signed a $10m loan to unlock blended financing for early-stage agribusinesses across Africa; Infrastructure Costs: Kenya’s Mau Summit toll road is seeing design changes that triggered emergency land purchases, with costs rising; Human Trafficking Prevention: Next2None and Nigeria’s NAPTIP launched Africa’s first international fashion-for-social-impact campaign, “Threads of Resilience: Fashion for Freedom”; Security Watch: Niger’s junta faces mounting strain after clashes in Niamey and jihadist raids near the capital; Tech Skills: Somalia launched the Bile Initiative 2026 to train ICT students for jobs in software, AI and cloud.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution, urging countries to adopt the Equal Earth projection so Africa is shown at its true scale; 164 voted in favour, with the US the lone no-vote. Local Governance Tech: Good Governance Africa launched a Tech for Inclusive Governance platform in Ghana’s Volta Region to let citizens report service delivery issues and track follow-up actions. Youth Skills & Jobs: Uganda is developing an agriculture TVET curriculum with ILO support to train young people in mechanisation, irrigation, farm structures and soil testing. Digital Health & AI: Kenya’s digital health push is expanding tools like health information exchange, e-claims and AI-assisted imaging to improve access and quality. Soft Power & Culture: Japan’s foreign ministry plans to promote anime and manga across Latin America and Africa from fiscal 2027, with funding for legal distribution and anti-piracy efforts. Sports Development: Nigeria’s sports reform momentum continues, with initiatives ranging from youth football partnerships to AFEDEV’s plan for a structured pathway for para-athletes. Sahel Security: Russia’s Africa Corps is reported to have played a decisive role in crushing a Niger mutiny, underscoring intensifying external influence in the Sahel. Business & Mobility: Etihad Airways and ROX signed an MoU to explore travel and mobility collaboration, starting with ROX’s Africa Grand Tour.

Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC and WHO say DR Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak is being met with an “African-built” response system, but warn financing gaps could weaken the next phase. Drought and Security: South Sudan declared an “unprecedented” drought emergency after a deadly attack on a military base in Warrap, as elections approach. AI Ambition: IGAD says Ethiopia has built globally competitive AI capacity and wants a regional partnership to help member states deploy AI in agriculture, health, education and finance. Debt and Reparations Push: Youth in Accra demand debt cancellation and reparations, with Kwesi Pratt arguing it must deliver equal rights and resource control, not charity. Food Trade Fix: AUDA-NEPAD urges Africa to remove cross-border barriers so surplus can reach deficit markets, boosting AfCFTA food corridors and jobs. UN Map Fight: The UN General Assembly backed “Correct the Map,” adopting Equal Earth to show Africa’s true size; the US voted against. Anti–Money Laundering: Tanzania says it has strengthened AML/CTF systems, with remaining legal gaps to close. Nigeria Trade Outreach: Nigeria launched sensitisation on ECOWAS ETLS and AfCFTA opportunities for grassroots businesses. Energy Investment Signal: IEA’s chief tells Nigeria it can attract investment by improving energy data and scaling gas, power and renewables. Africa-Asia Diplomacy: Ethiopia, Uganda and others keep courting capital and tech—from minerals to AI—at regional and global forums.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution, endorsing the Equal Earth projection that makes Africa look larger while shrinking North America and Europe; 164 countries voted for it, with the US casting the lone “no” vote. Diplomacy & Perception: Togo said maps shape education and imagination, while India also backed the goal of more accurate cartography. Peace Financing Push: Nigeria urged the AU to cut reliance on foreign funding for peace and security, pointing to progress on the AU Peace Fund. Ukraine Talks: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were set to travel to Moscow and then Kyiv with a new Ukraine peace proposal, with Zelensky calling for a reciprocal ceasefire during the visit. Health Funding: Uganda is drafting a 10-year health financing strategy to reduce donor dependence and protect households from catastrophic costs. Climate Adaptation Finance: IFAD and Equity Group launched a $200m ARCAFIM scheme for smallholders in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. Security Update: DR Congo’s Ebola response plan was updated as Africa CDC warned the outbreak is still not under control. Tech & Travel: Kenya’s SafSIM is pitching cheaper international roaming using eSIM partnerships.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution led by African states to replace the Mercator projection with Equal Earth, aiming to show Africa’s true size; the vote was 164-1 with the US the lone “no,” and Togo says it will update school geography materials. DR Congo Ebola Response: DRC and partners launched an updated 180-day Ebola plan, seeking $1.3bn as cases and deaths remain high and officials warn many victims are reaching communities too late. Sierra Leone Digital Passports: Sierra Leone is digitizing passport services and expanding access for citizens abroad, including online applications and diaspora-focused rollout under a 14-month reform timeline. Child Marriage Push: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio helped secure a UN resolution creating an International Day on Nov 27 to end child, early and forced marriage. Nigeria–São Tomé Maritime Ties: Nigeria reaffirmed cooperation with São Tomé and Príncipe on maritime security, the Joint Development Zone and trade/investment. Ghana Security Warning: Ghana’s defence intelligence chief warned communal conflicts can be exploited by extremists as West Africa’s terror fatalities rose 14%. Malawi Conservation Model: Malawi’s tourism minister urged community-led conservation through grassroots investment and co-management to tackle biodiversity loss and rural poverty. Tshwane Coalition Strains: South Africa’s Tshwane mayor admitted coalition cracks and the lack of a coalition agreement, while stressing service delivery continuity. Student Innovation Grants (Nigeria): Nigeria opened applications for equity-free STEM student venture grants: 50 winners can get up to N50m each.