AGP Executive Report

Niger Coup Fears: Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Niamey as mutinous soldiers targeted the airport and the presidential palace area; state TV went off air and the junta said forces were mobilising to regain control. Sahel Diplomacy: Shehu Sani urged Niger and other Sahel states to return to ECOWAS after the Niamey attacks, while Atiku Abubakar vowed to bring Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso back and consider using ECOMOG to restore security. Ceuta Migration Crisis: Anti-migrant protests in Spain’s Ceuta escalated into beach camp raids and fires; Spain asked Frontex for help processing about 5,000 migrants and screening for protection claims. Ebola Update (DRC): Congo’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak passed the 100-day mark; schools reopening plans face pressure from parents and teachers as cases and deaths climb. Health Systems: Africa backed three 10-year strategies for health systems—workforce, financing and regulation—aimed at closing major staffing gaps. Energy & Power: Nigeria’s NERC says Togo, Benin and Niger owe $11.16m for 2025 power supply, with remittance performance at 84.9%. Sports Media: DAZN secured LaLiga rights across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, for three seasons.

Sahel Security: Gunfire and explosions rocked Niamey, Niger, as attackers targeted Diori Hamani International Airport and tried to breach the presidency perimeter; Niger’s military says forces regained control and “neutralised” attackers. Climate Outlook: Southern Africa faces a higher chance of drier-than-normal rains from Oct 2026 to Mar 2027, with above-normal temperatures expected, as El Niño strengthens. Ebola Watch (DRC): Sleeping sickness elimination efforts continue in the DRC as health teams hunt remaining cases, while vaccination and response capacity remain critical. Nigeria Markets: Moody’s upgraded Nigeria’s outlook to “positive,” citing stronger external buffers and better growth; the news followed FTSE Russell’s move to restore Nigeria to Frontier Market status. Politics (Guinea-Bissau): Guinea-Bissau votes Aug 30 on a new constitution that would strengthen the presidency, after a 2025 coup and ahead of December elections. Ghana Maritime: GPHA launched its 40th anniversary and unveiled a £101m floating dock plan to boost ship repair and offshore services. Humanitarian/Spain (Ceuta): Spain asked Frontex for help processing about 5,000 migrants remaining in Ceuta amid escalating local unrest.

Ebola Emergency in DR Congo: The DRC has begun vaccinating frontline health workers with 70,000 doses of Ervebo as the outbreak races ahead—now 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, with spread into two new health zones and WHO warning it could surpass the 2014-16 West Africa toll. Political Crackdown in Zambia: Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has been arrested and charged with high treason, after disputed election violence and claims of attempts to form a militia. West Africa Peacekeeping Legacy: ECOWAS honoured ECOMOG commanders and two Nigerian journalists killed in Liberia, marking decades since wars ended in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Migration Tensions in Spain’s Ceuta: Spain urged calm after clashes between anti-migrant protesters and police, as thousands remain in the enclave after a July influx. Regional Integration & Trade: Ethiopia’s Mojo Dry Port is held up by the World Bank as a model to cut border delays and payment frictions—key to boosting intra-African trade. Nigeria Kidnapping Economy: A report says kidnappers collected ₦7.779bn in ransoms between July 2025 and June 2026, with mass abductions driving the jump.

Ebola Emergency in DR Congo: UN chief António Guterres warns the outbreak is the fastest-growing on record, with 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, urging faster international support as only 48% of needed funds are raised. Health Response: DR Congo has started vaccinating front-line workers in Kisangani with doses aimed at containing spread around Ituri, though the vaccine’s match to the current strain remains under study. Migration Pressure in West Africa: Mauritania says its coast guard rescued 161 migrants off its coast, including 17 children, after a perilous eight-day journey from The Gambia toward Spain’s Canary Islands. Education Crisis in Nigeria: WAEC result problems are leaving nursing applicants stranded as candidates wait for NECO outcomes to replace failed WAEC subjects before admission windows close. Local Industry Push in Kenya: Kenya moves to phase out second-hand vehicle imports by 2030, backing local assembly to boost jobs and capacity. Energy & Infrastructure: Sahara Power begins a $12m, 12MW gas-fired Lagos IPP to strengthen electricity supply ahead of 2027 completion. Sports & Culture: Kenya’s polo and youth sports spotlight continues, while Ghana’s Gong Gong Awards spot AI’s role in advertising.

Customs & Trade: Kenya Revenue Authority defended raising the customs benchmark for containerised consolidated cargo from Sh2.5m to Sh3.2m, saying it targets revenue leakages while still supporting small traders through a risk-management minimum yield. Disaster Response: Nepal’s Himalayan flash floods killed 330+ and left 1,000+ missing, while Tanzania’s political stability faces new strain after its vice president was expelled from the ruling party. Security & Drugs: South Africa’s Hawks and police shut a R600m crystal meth lab in Musina, arresting five suspects and raising fears of cartel-linked manufacturing and distribution. Food & Prices: Cocoa prices jumped on concerns over West African crop quality as black pod disease spreads in Ivory Coast and Ghana; Ghana’s 2026/27 output is estimated down 13%. Regional Integration: East African Community leaders renewed calls for harmonised education systems to close learning gaps and protect students moving across borders. Transport Bottlenecks: Durban port congestion worsened, with some services warning delays could approach 20 days as Pier 2 beds in new management. Migration Tragedy: Tunisia recovered the last missing migrants from a sunken boat, bringing deaths to 14 on the Central Mediterranean route. Business & Investment: Ghana unveiled 12 priority sectors to woo global investors, while Kenya Airways says free Wi‑Fi will roll out on long-haul flights from 2027.

Wildfires in North Africa: Algeria’s Interior Minister says at least 12 people died as wildfires swept Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, with 159 vegetation fires recorded and dozens injured. Climate heat impacts children: New research warns children aged 0–9 face disproportionately high heat-stress exposure from human-caused climate change, with hundreds of millions affected by extra dangerous heat days. Regional security & diplomacy: Cambodia will send 184 peacekeepers to the Central African Republic for a new UN rotation, including an engineering unit with women. Trade and energy shifts: Kenya’s fuel supply is reshuffling as India overtakes Gulf suppliers amid US-Iran sanctions pressure, while Petrobras moves into Ghana offshore exploration talks. Economy and policy: Egypt improved its SDG ranking to 86th in 2026, and Zimbabwe’s turnaround is highlighted by Citigroup as inflation falls sharply after gold-backed ZiG stability. Aviation disruption: Sasol’s Natref refinery stoppage has curtailed jet-fuel supplies to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo, prompting airline contingency plans. US politics: Three pro-Israel Democrats were picked for top House Foreign Affairs Committee roles, triggering backlash within their party.

Venture Capital Shift in MENA: Saudi Arabia leads MENA’s VC scene, supplying 26% of investors in 1H 2026 as international participation falls and deals concentrate among top players. Education Push: Qatar’s Cabinet backs preparations for the 2026-2027 school year, praising new school construction, teacher support, and updated curricula. Cultural Heritage Protection: UNESCO and partners train Southern African states on return and restitution of cultural property, strengthening capacity under the 1954 Hague framework. Women’s Football Boost (Cameroon): Orange Cameroun celebrates the Indomitable Lionesses’ WAFCON win with gifts worth 32 million FCFA. Justice in Cameroon: A Yaounde court sentences ENAM graduate Batek Yebel to death for killing and dismembering his mother. Security Crisis (Nigeria): Nigeria launches a major manhunt after mass mosque abductions in Niger state, with victims reportedly posted in a forest video. Regional Trade (DRC-Uganda): Uganda and the DRC hold a Business Connect Forum in Butembo to cut trade barriers and attract investment. Digital Finance Trend (MTN): MTN weighs banking licenses in markets where Mobile Money is strong, aiming to move from partnerships into lending. Cybercrime Crackdown: INTERPOL’s Operation Jackal IV ends with 58 arrests and 263 suspects, linking fraud infrastructure to organized sextortion targeting minors.

Border Security & Mobility: Nigeria’s immigration chief says the country wants tighter borders without blocking lawful movement, trade and socio-cultural ties, shifting from patrols and document checks to technology, intelligence and inter-agency work. Public Health Funding: CEPI warns a $185m gap could slow vaccine access for the Bundibugyo Ebola response, with only $333.2m of $518m needed disbursed after 100 days. Disaster Response: Guinea’s landfill collapse in Conakry has killed 34 and injured 33, with plans for mass burial and rehousing of affected families. Crime Crackdown: INTERPOL’s Operation Jackal IV—spanning 22 countries—has arrested 58 and identified 263 suspects tied to West African organised crime and cyber-enabled fraud. Sports & Regional Ties: CAF names a Central African referee team for Mali’s FC Diarra vs Ghana’s Nations FC in the CAF Confederation Cup prelims, while Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania face a 2027 Afcon venue inspection push. Economy Watch: Nigeria slipped to 56th in a global “poorest by GDP-PPP” ranking, reflecting mounting cost-of-living pressure.

Infrastructure Push: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled a R264bn infrastructure pipeline, with 170 projects heading to procurement in the next 12–18 months, as the state scales strategic delivery and regional integration. East Africa Oil Rivalry: Billion-dollar refinery plans are again stirring tensions across East Africa, with shifting locations and consultations raising questions over who decides energy infrastructure. Health Policy Rollout: Guinea-Bissau is moving ECOWAS community health policy from planning to pilots in Gabú and Oio, aiming to strengthen local ownership and coordination. Security Crackdown: INTERPOL says 58 people were arrested in a global operation targeting Black Axe-linked West African crime networks. Sudan Crisis: A Sudan Doctors Network report says at least 27 people, including children, were killed in ethnic clashes in South Kordofan. Finance & Crime Tech: Vyntra marks 10 years in East Africa’s financial crime prevention, expanding into broader transaction intelligence after a 2025 merger. Governance & Privacy: Kenya’s High Court quashed a data privacy ruling against WPP Scangroup over alleged mishandling of a former CEO’s WhatsApp texts. Business & Trade: MTN reports Nigeria and Ghana as cash engines, sending R9.3bn to the group in H1 2026. Culture & Sports: Nigeria’s Headies nominees are out, with Davido, Wizkid and Burna Boy leading major categories; in East Africa, ANZA MMA announces its Nairobi fight night lineup for 19 September.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: Congo’s health ministry says the outbreak in the east has hit 5,514 cases and 2,642 deaths, with 317 deaths in the past week—experts warn the real toll could be far higher as the virus spreads beyond monitored contacts. Regional Finance & Trade: The AfDB approved US$265m for Zambia’s role in the Lobito Economic Corridor, aiming to cut logistics costs and boost regional trade from the Copperbelt to Angola’s Lobito port. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Africa Finance Corporation’s AFC Capital Partners launched Nigeria’s US$750m Infrastructure Climate-Resilient Fund to mobilise institutional money for projects built for climate shocks. Anti-Illicit Finance Push: FATF welcomed Namibia, Barbados and Thailand into its FATF-Style Regional Body Guest Initiative, starting a one-year cycle from October 2026. Renewables Governance: Namibia’s REIAoN appointed Paulus Mulunga as chair, shifting the industry body from advocacy to coordinated action via task forces on solar quality, net metering, IPPs and green hydrogen. Education Access in Nigeria: JAMB rolled out an online system for candidates to verify and upload O’Level results from home, reducing reliance on CBT centres. Consumer Protection in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s Consumer Protection Policy (2026-2030) targets counterfeit goods, unfair trade and safer market standards as digital commerce grows. AES Parliamentary Step: The confederal parliament of the AES formally opened in Niamey, installing lawmakers from Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali and setting up cooperation for the next week.

Local Elections Under Threat: Political killings are escalating ahead of South Africa’s November local government elections, with multiple councillors shot dead in recent days, renewing fears of violence tied to municipal power and tenders. Oil & Media Skills: Chevron Nigeria reaffirmed support for training journalists in the Niger Delta, stressing accurate reporting on the energy sector and transparency. East Africa HR Push: Kenya is leading efforts to harmonise East Africa’s human resource standards, after launching an East Africa HR Federation to align qualifications and professional practice. Gaza Deployment Talk: Uganda and Burundi say they are ready to contribute troops to a proposed international security unit linked to a Gaza ceasefire plan. Health & Industry: Ghana will establish a pharmaceutical industrial park under its 24-Hour Economy drive, while Olam Agri switched on rooftop solar at its Tema wheat hub to cut emissions. Security Cooperation: Ghana’s defence minister called for stronger regional security collaboration against extremism, cybercrime and cross-border threats. Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola toll continues to rise as Pope Leo urges stronger global action. Environment & Weather: A landfill collapse in Guinea killed at least 30, and Atlantic hurricane monitors flagged two systems with development chances.

Guinea Disaster: Torrential rains triggered a deadly landfill collapse in Conakry, killing at least 30 people and injuring six as rescuers search for survivors near the Dar Es Salam dump. Tunisia Migration Tragedy: Off Tunisia’s coast, a migrant boat sank en route to Italy; 11 bodies were recovered, one survivor rescued after 48 hours, and three others remain missing as protests erupted in Ben Guerdane. DR Congo Ebola Update: The DRC reported 5,515 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,642 deaths, with Pope Leo urging stronger global action as conflict and attacks on health workers keep response efforts under pressure. South Africa Local Polls: Political killings are rising ahead of November local government elections, with the ANC warning of a “highest potential” for deadly election violence as municipal power and tenders become flashpoints. South Africa Infrastructure Push: Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says a nearly R2-trillion pipeline is still bottlenecked by weak project preparation, with R206bn worth of projects stuck in documentation and procurement. Regional Health Focus: East African leaders meeting in Ethiopia called for stronger regional health systems and more local medicine production to better withstand future outbreaks. Digital Payments: A feature highlights how digital payments are pulling more Africans into the formal economy, boosting account ownership and commerce access.

Critical Minerals Push: A new Al-Attiyah Foundation paper says Gulf states are ramping up investment in copper, lithium, cobalt and rare earths, with Africa becoming a key destination as supply chains tighten. Uganda Industry Plan: Uganda’s UIA has been tasked to secure land for Roofings to process iron ore into high-grade steel ahead of President Museveni’s visit. West Africa Trade Link: Nigeria is partnering with Botswana to use it as a gateway into the SADC market under AfCFTA, targeting manufacturing, agribusiness and logistics. Energy Hub Race: Ghana says it is ready to start supplying electricity to Nigeria as it builds power-hub ambitions across West Africa. Ebola in Congo: In eastern DR Congo, artisanal miners keep working despite Ebola risks, while the pope urges stronger international action as cases rise. Migration Tragedy: Tunisia’s coast guard recovered eight bodies and continued searching for six after a migrant boat sank off the coast en route to Italy. Education Tech Tanzania: A Tanzanian founder is scaling a school management app to digitise results, fees and records. El Niño Watch: Forecasts warn 2026 could bring a very strong “Super El Niño,” with severe weather risks across regions.

Ebola Response in DR Congo: The country received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo vaccine as the Bundibugyo-linked outbreak spreads fast, with more deliveries expected next week. Mining Safety in Central Africa: The Central African Republic shut a gold mining site after a collapse killed more than 100, citing non-compliance with standards and directives. Regional Security Debate (West Africa): A West Africa Security Retreat in Ogun State argued that lasting peace depends more on accountable governance and trusted institutions than on guns alone. Energy Push in East Africa: Tanzania commissioned the 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, nearly doubling capacity and creating surplus power for exports. Climate Shock Planning (Southern Africa): Zimbabwe braces for El Niño that could be the worst on record, with government moving to climate-smart farming and water-saving measures. Football Business: CAF opened bidding for AFCON 2027 broadcast rights across Sub-Saharan Africa, with the tournament set for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Sports & Youth: Kenya’s FEASSA games in Morogoro ended with mixed results, while Lesotho’s basketball tournament gained a M100,000 sponsor boost from Maluti Mountain Cement. Culture & Media: Luxor African Film Festival opened submissions for its 2027 edition, running March 28 to April 3 in Egypt.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: The outbreak has surged past 5,300 confirmed cases and 2,550 deaths, with UN officials warning it is “growing exponentially” and spreading faster than the response, as new Ervebo vaccine batches arrive and health teams face insecurity and attacks on workers. Counterterrorism in Nigeria: Nigerian Army operations in Borno report 24 ISWAP family members surrendering, alongside arrests of suspects linked to weapons and logistics, as troops intensify crackdowns. Migration Pressure on Spain’s Coast: More than 50 migrants landed on Spain’s Murcia coast in broad daylight, just days after another arrival, renewing calls for stronger coastal surveillance. Digital Connectivity in Uganda: Starlink satellite internet has officially launched in Uganda via Roke Telkom and Paratus Uganda, targeting enterprises in remote areas. Health Systems for East Africa: East African leaders urged building a resilient regional health economy through local medical manufacturing and cross-border integration. Tanzania Power Boost: Tanzania inaugurated the JNHPP hydropower plant, doubling national capacity and opening talks to export electricity regionally. El Niño Warning: UK’s Met Office forecasts the biggest El Niño in over a century, raising fears of extreme weather and food price pressure across the region.

Migration Crisis: At least 13 Tunisians are missing after a migrant boat capsized off Tunisia while heading for Italy; two were rescued, as rights groups renew criticism of EU-backed border crackdowns. Ebola Surge: DR Congo’s Ebola toll has passed 5,200 cases, with Africa CDC warning the real number may be 3 times higher than official figures, as surveillance is reinforced along the Congo River. Sahel Security Divide: Nigeria’s tensions with the Alliance of Sahel States (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) deepen, reflecting a widening security and political split after AES’ ECOWAS exit. ECOWAS Counter-Terror Plan: ECOWAS begins moving Chinese-donated military logistics from Nigeria to Sierra Leone, a step toward deploying a regional counter-terror force by mid-2027. Borno School Abductions: Families in Borno protest nearly 100 days since 44 Mussa schoolchildren were abducted, while Nigeria’s military operations continue to rescue victims. Regional Trade & Industry: Dangote offers East African countries a combined 30% stake in a planned Kenya refinery, with Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda signaling interest. Climate Watch: UK Met Office warns an “unprecedented” El Niño could drive extreme weather and higher global temperatures, with knock-on risks for food and monsoon patterns.