AGP Executive Report

West Africa Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline pact in Freetown, setting up the legal framework for a ~6,000km line across 13 countries, targeting 2028 construction and 30 bcm/year capacity with about half earmarked for Europe. Food Inflation Pressure: SBM Intelligence’s Jollof Index shows Nigeria’s jollof rice costs have surged over the past decade, with the Southwest seeing the fastest rise (708%); the broader message is household purchasing power is still getting squeezed. Health & Travel: Africa CDC urged the U.S. to lift Ebola travel restrictions on Uganda, saying the country has contained the outbreak and recorded no new cases for weeks. Regional Trade & Industry: Kenya doubled industrial sugar import allocations under the EAC Duty Remission Scheme to 99,960 tonnes for 17 manufacturers at a 10% duty, aiming to support food processing and manufacturing. Digital & Connectivity: ECA called for tighter links between energy and digital connectivity to accelerate industrialization, noting major gaps in electricity access and internet use. Business & Aviation: Uganda Airlines ordered Boeing aircraft—four 787-9 and four 737-8—aimed at expanding Entebbe’s role as a regional aviation hub.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS has signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $27bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, moving the project from planning to implementation and targeting up to 30 bcm annually across 13 countries. Youth Agritech & Food Security: Nigeria’s government is partnering with Heifer International to scale youth-led agricultural innovation, aiming to turn competition-backed ideas into farm-ready solutions. Budget Transparency Clash: Nigeria’s Atiku Abubakar demands a line-by-line probe of the 2026 budget’s Service-Wide Vote after claims of N12.8tn in opaque allocations. Digital Policy Push: Nigeria’s NCC says Africa must shape global standards on AI, spectrum, cybersecurity and digital governance, not just adopt them. Capital Markets Update: Nigeria’s Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) declares its first interim dividend (N1 per share) after strong H1 2026 results. Banking Deal in Ghana: Access Bank Ghana completes the sale of 7.44% of issued shares on the GSE, boosting liquidity and broadening ownership. Energy Risk Watch: Oil traders warn a Houthi blockade risk in the Red Sea could push crude higher by disrupting key shipping routes. Private Aviation Barometer: Coverage links private jet demand and fleet activity to global wealth trends, highlighting how disruptions can quickly affect fuel and operations.

Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS has signed off on the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, locking in an intergovernmental agreement for a project expected to move up to 30 bcm of gas annually across 13 countries, with construction targeted to start in 2028 and first deliveries in 2031. Telecom Policy Push: Nigeria is calling for stronger African coordination in global telecom rule-making, arguing that influence comes from shared technical positions, not just large delegations. Ghana 5G Pivot: Ghana has launched a new 5G spectrum auction with minimum reserve value above $230m after revoking an earlier exclusive infrastructure deal, signaling a shift toward competitive licensing. SME Reality Check: A business-focused piece argues most African firms fail less from marketing and more from weak internal systems that stop customers from returning and profits from stabilising. Finance & Governance: Senegal’s “hidden debt” controversy is framed as a public data and disclosure failure with major consequences for credibility and development finance. Security & Society: Ghanaian civil groups urge a nationwide ban on public display of firearms, warning it’s normalising violence. Agriculture & Jobs: Rwanda opened its Third National Seed Congress to position quality, climate-resilient seeds as a private-sector-led engine for food security and trade. Sudan War Economy: A report highlights how Sudan’s gold and gum arabic are being looted and smuggled to fund armed groups, worsening instability beyond its borders. Kenya Solar Access: Pay-as-you-go financing is gaining traction in Kenya’s solar market as Chinese firms expand via instalments to overcome high upfront costs. Corporate Accountability: South Africa’s Transnet CEO says the rail/ports group is cracking down on collusion and overcharging, including blacklisting firms. Business Performance: CSCS declared its first interim dividend after record H1 results, citing stronger capital market activity and cash generation.

Vehicle-Energy Integration: China’s EV boom is pushing a deeper merge between auto and power systems, with EVs increasingly seen as distributed energy storage and a driver for grid and digital upgrades. Workplace Retirement Theft: South Africa’s regulator says 6,064 employers are behind on retirement fund contributions, with arrears put at R8.33bn affecting about 590,000 members, prompting tougher accountability moves. Terror Financing Shift: The UN warns Nigeria and the Sahel are seeing terrorists use drones, advanced communications and crypto to sharpen attacks. Digital Banking Win: Nigeria’s Wema Bank was named Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank for Consumers 2026 by Euromoney, highlighting ALAT’s customer-first push. Food Security Shock: In northern Nigeria, the Iran-war-linked fuel price spike is worsening malnutrition as inflation and currency pressures bite hardest on children. Energy Market Volatility: South Africa’s Sasol shares jumped after US-Iran ceasefire talks collapsed, lifting fears for Strait of Hormuz-linked supply and prices. Regional Gas Deal: ECOWAS approved a $27bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic gas pipeline initiative, backed by West African leaders. ECOWAS Leadership: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye emerged ECOWAS chair, with Biram Diop appointed ECOWAS Commission president. Industrial Water Investment: Limpopo’s R25bn mega-water project cleared a funding hurdle to expand bulk water for communities and mining. Solar Manufacturing Push: Solex Energy is in talks to build an end-to-end solar manufacturing ecosystem in Ghana, including local component production and training. Contract Killing Trial: South Africa’s political killings task team has driven three high-profile contract killing cases to trial, including alleged mastermind “Cat” Matlala. Capital Markets Focus: Nigeria’s NGX CEO says the next growth phase hinges on mobilising long-term capital and building investor confidence through a more inclusive capital market.

Energy Diplomacy: Algeria is pushing for a bigger EU energy role after Tebboune’s Berlin visit, pitching expanded gas cooperation and a long-term “southern hydrogen corridor” to Germany. Digital Rights & Regulation: Nigeria’s SERAP urges lawmakers to withdraw the Nigeria Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, warning it could enable shutdowns and tighter government control over social media. West Africa Integration: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima heads to Sierra Leone for the ECOWAS mid-year summit, with talks expected to focus on security, trade, infrastructure and regional integration. Food Prices & Supply Chains: UAE supermarkets say Iran-war disruptions are driving higher freight, fuel and insurance costs, leading to temporary product gaps while firms try to absorb inflation. Banking Ownership: Access Bank Ghana completes the sale of a 7.44% stake on the GSE to deepen local ownership and boost liquidity. AI Skills Push: Ghana’s DTI urges youth to embrace AI, technical skills and entrepreneurship to stay competitive as automation reshapes jobs. Aviation Forecast: Embraer forecasts strong demand for sub-150 jets through 2045, with Africa projected to account for 370 orders.

Uganda Security & Ideology: President Museveni passed out 106 senior security officers after a 59-day leadership course, stressing ideological clarity for Uganda’s transformation. Nigeria Housing Crunch: New data shows Lagos rents can consume nearly eight years of a minimum-wage worker’s income, while Port Harcourt needs almost four years—fueling fears of a widening cost-of-living gap. Nigeria Budget Firestorm: Atiku Abubakar and the ADC renewed attacks on Tinubu over alleged ₦210bn duplicated budget allocations, calling for forensic probes and fiscal discipline. Poverty Alarm: The ADC cites World Bank figures saying 139 million Nigerians live below the poverty line and 17 million face acute hunger, urging Tinubu to quit or change course. Zimbabwe Lithium Push: Zimbabwe says its lithium export ban is driving local processing, highlighting a lithium sulphate plant milestone as it tightens control of mineral value chains. Rwanda Fintech Gateway: Africa Fintech Summit and Kigali International Financial Centre doubled down on Kigali as a gateway for global fintech investment ahead of AFTSKIGALI26 and IFF 2027. DRC-Tanzania Power Link: SNEL and Tanesco resumed talks on a proposed 400kV interconnection with multiple route options under review. Nigeria Microfinance Crackdown: Nigeria revoked 46 microfinance bank licences, underscoring pressure on community lenders amid tighter rules and rising costs. Zimbabwe Church & Work Ethic: Mnangagwa urged churches to promote hard, honest work and productivity as Zimbabwe accelerates development.

Oil & Gas Skills: Nigeria’s NCDMB and Renaissance Africa Energy kick off a 12-month oil and gas field readiness training for 300 young Nigerians, mixing classroom work with 9 months on-the-job placements in Lagos and Port Harcourt. Road Safety Shock: Uganda suspends all school field trips after a bus crash killed 23 children and one adult, with more deaths expected as injured pupils succumb. Mandela Day Mobilisation: Tanzania marks Mandela International Day with unity, volunteerism and youth empowerment activities, including community service and support for girls’ entrepreneurship. Security & Accountability: South Africa’s SAPS says a private security officer in a Johannesburg police caravan video has apologised and received a formal warning, while training is planned for joint-operation teams. Regional Diplomacy: Sierra Leone’s President Bio arrives in Lungi for the 69th ECOWAS summit, set to tackle peace, security, integration and governance. Transport Regulation Debate: Ethiopia weighs whether electronic taxi-hailing needs a dedicated regulator as the sector consolidates from 50+ firms to fewer than 10 major operators. Energy Policy: Ghana’s NPA calls for downstream resilience amid global fuel-supply shocks, stressing investment in infrastructure, tech and rapid-response institutions. Agri-Food Support: Nigeria’s RISE project moves into operations, launching an EOI for women and youth-led MSMEs in northern rice, maize, soybean and groundnut value chains. Business Climate: Plateau State’s governor tells manufacturers the private sector will drive industrial growth, promising an enabling environment beyond federal allocations. Crime & Retail Fear: Cape Town residents report spaza shop closures tied to alleged extortion by armed gangs, disrupting access to basic goods.

EV Financing in Kenya: NCBA and ePure Motion signed an asset-financing deal to make electric vehicles cheaper, offering up to 100% financing for qualifying salaried buyers (up to 72 months) and up to 80–90% for public transport operators and fleet owners, alongside charging and aftersales support. Digital Banking Expansion: BGFI Bank Group renewed its partnership with SBS to roll out a group-wide digital banking platform across Africa and Europe, starting with two pilot subsidiaries under its 2026–2030 strategy. Energy & Power: AfDB approved up to $110m for Ethiopia’s 300MW Aysha wind project, aiming to strengthen the national grid via a 25-year power purchase agreement. Local Pharma Push (Nigeria): Nigeria’s PVAC says 11 pharmaceutical manufacturing projects are set for commissioning in 2026 to boost local production and regional access. Corporate/Markets: Dangote refinery nears a $2.5bn private share placement ahead of a major IPO; NGX shares rose, adding N849bn in market value. Food Safety: Fayus/Yusol expanded its recall of OLA-OLA pounded yam over undeclared milk allergen (sodium caseinate). Trade & Infrastructure: Lobito Corridor secured $753m financing for Angola–DRC railway upgrades to boost regional integration.

Health Financing: Cameroon’s Nkafu Policy Institute pushed reforms to cut out-of-pocket costs, spotlighting community-based health insurance as a route to universal health coverage and better chronic-disease coverage. Public Investment Governance: South Africa’s PIC chair David Masondo reassured staff amid governance turmoil after the PIC CEO suspension and FSCA probe, stressing the suspension is “precautionary.” Digital Regulation: Nigeria’s Tinubu signed an executive order to coordinate virtual-asset rules via a new council led by the CBN, aiming to close fraud and money-laundering gaps. Telecom Competition: Ghana opened 5G licensing bidding in 11 lots worth $230m, with safeguards against spectrum hoarding and a premium aimed at limiting market power. Trade & Integration: AfCFTA urged South Sudan to speed up ratification so local firms can access a 50+ country market. Red Sea Shipping Risk: The EU is boosting Red Sea security as reports suggest the Bab el-Mandeb could face closure, raising shipping costs and travel times. Industrial Value Addition: OACPS parliamentary leader Thomas Tayebwa urged member states to prioritise value addition and end raw mineral exports. Infrastructure & Growth: Zanzibar Port Corporation tripled its dividend to Sh3.6bn after a PPP that improved performance. Banking Capital Pressure: RenCap warned Nigeria’s CBN financial holding company framework could force banks to raise over N1.7tn and restructure.

Nigeria Economic Policy Forum: Nigeria’s finance and central bank leadership met CEOs in Lagos to push reforms from “stability to shared prosperity,” with calls for sustained policy delivery, private investment and better coordination. Credit Rating Drive: UNDP, Canada and the EU reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s push toward an investment-grade sovereign credit rating to cut borrowing costs and unlock development finance. Power & Productive Use: Nigeria’s power stakeholders urged shifting rural electrification toward enabling enterprise and rural businesses, not just adding connections. Fuel Prices in Ghana: GOIL and Star Oil raised petrol and diesel pump prices, with more OMCs expected to follow. Digital Finance in Nigeria: Moniepoint traced Nigeria’s food service payments evolution, arguing real-time digital infrastructure helped grow the sector to a $11.09bn market in 2025. Blue Economy Warning: Nigeria’s BRACED chair warned Africa could lose $300bn annually from neglect of the blue economy. Maritime Education Push: Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa backed plans for a regional maritime university to standardise training and build a shipping talent pipeline. Ghana Tourism & Diaspora: Ghana Tourism Authority outlined a week-long 2026 Emancipation programme to reconnect with the African diaspora through heritage and cultural events. Misinformation Risk (Nigeria 2027): Bloomwit Africa warned businesses to prepare for AI deepfakes and election misinformation ahead of 2027. Uber-Delivery Hero Deal: Uber offered to buy Germany’s Delivery Hero in a €13bn-plus move that could reshape food delivery reach, including across Africa.

Nigeria FX & macro: The naira edged up in the official market to about N1,382/$ as dollar liquidity improved and corporate demand eased, while analysts expect stability to hold. Development finance: Nigeria’s Bank of Industry secured a €60m EIB credit (from an €85m facility) to push cocoa and dairy value addition, targeting processing and job creation. Policy & health funding: Nigeria’s Senate defended the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax Bill, arguing it will curb non-communicable diseases and ring-fence revenue for healthcare. Business & jobs: Self Help Africa convened Kano stakeholders on food security, agricultural value chains and WASH, including youth employment programs. Trade & digital trust: The EAC wrapped up a cross-border e-commerce knowledge mission to Geneva/Belgrade to improve consumer protection and online transaction rules. Infrastructure & enforcement: Kenya’s KeNHA demolished illegal roadside structures along the Kisii-Kadongo corridor, targeting road-reserve encroachment. Aviation upgrade: Kenya appointed Dar Al-Handasah to oversee JKIA modernisation design review and supervision for the KSh154.2bn project. Energy & environment clash: Greenpeace renewed calls to halt Dangote’s $17bn Kenya coastal refinery at Lamu, warning of ecosystem damage and demanding independent impact assessment. Regional markets: Botswana Stock Exchange joined ADX’s Tabadul hub, aiming to boost Middle East-Africa investment links. Youth employment: Afrobarometer data across 38 countries shows young Africans cite weak training and lack of experience as top barriers, with many preferring entrepreneurship over public-sector jobs.

Oil & Gas Investment Gap: Nigeria’s energy regulator says the country needs about $38.3bn in fresh investment to sustain current oil and gas output and hit 2030 targets, warning capital follows predictable policies and credible regulation. Regional Governance: ECOWAS finance and administration committee wraps up a three-day meeting in Freetown, feeding recommendations into governance and financial management decisions ahead of the July 19 summit. Housing & Jobs: Nigeria’s Federal Mortgage Bank reports 6,911 housing units financed in 2025 (up 300%), with new products aimed at low-income and informal workers. Tourism Push: Nigeria moves to rebrand tourism using the diaspora, aiming to attract investment and create jobs by reshaping global narratives. Oil Sector Reform in Angola: Angola reiterates its investment case for oil, citing regulatory stability and reforms, while stressing local processing to boost value-added. Ebola Update (DRC): WHO warns the outbreak is outpacing response efforts, with case numbers likely far higher than official counts and fatalities rising. Agri-Food Jobs: A Malabo Montpellier Forum report argues agri-food system transformation is key to tackling Africa’s youth employment crisis, calling for policy innovations to create decent work at scale. Tech Market Access: JSE launches the Africa Tech 50 Index to spotlight scaled private tech firms for investors. Mining Value Addition (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe operationalises a $400m lithium sulphate plant, shifting from raw exports toward battery-chemicals beneficiation. Maritime Regulation (Nigeria): Stakeholders warn Nigeria’s NPERA bill delay risks another regulatory vacuum in ports, hurting competitiveness and investor confidence.

Cocoa Value Addition: Nigeria’s Bank of Industry secured a €60m EIB facility to boost cocoa processing, ingredient manufacturing, packaging and chocolate production, with plans for dedicated financing windows and a possible Cocoa Value Addition Park. Mobile Money Capital Markets: Airtel Africa is preparing a London listing for Airtel Money, with reports pointing to a potential $7bn–$10bn valuation and a fundraising target of $1.5bn–$2bn in the second half of 2026. Urban Development & Investment: Link Developments announced City Walk Abuja, a 200ha mixed-use smart city in a Free Trade Zone with an Africa-tall 450m tower and a 16,000-seat arena, aiming to attract regional HQs and innovation. Agriculture & Food Security: Sokoto State’s “onion revolution” highlights how the state drives Nigeria’s onion output and cross-border trade, underpinning livelihoods and food supply. Trade & Borders: Lake Kariba hosted the 15th Africa Border Day, with Zambia and Zimbabwe stressing borders as bridges via safer navigation and cooperation. Sanitation Funding Pressure: Ghana’s sanitation stakeholders warned that landfill and waste management gains could stall without a reliable national funding model. Cyber & AI Risk: Check Point’s AI Security Report says AI is now running attacks autonomously, compressing response times and expanding enterprise risk. Business & Governance: CAPPA praised Nigeria’s new public procurement guidelines for food, pushing nutrition standards and limits on sugary drinks in public institutions.

Cocoa Value Push: Nigeria’s Tinubu says the country will end raw cocoa bean exports and instead grind, press and brand chocolate locally, with a 70,000-tonne processing push in Ogun. Digital Infrastructure & Payments: NITDA calls for more investment in digital infrastructure to power industrialisation, while Nigeria’s Zeepay licence revocation is backed by the Digital Chamber as payments stability concerns grow. Data Centres Expansion: Raxio plans to enter Tanzania with a Dar es Salaam facility (TZ1) offering 6MW capacity, backed by $380m committed capital and new equity from Meridiam and Roha. Submarine Cable Resilience: West Africa regulators, led by Nigeria’s WATRA, say they’re translating new ITU/ICPC recommendations into regional action after earlier outages. Agriculture Risk: Kenya faces worsening maize conditions as drought deepens, raising the odds of a shortage. Business & Capital Markets: Airtel Africa continues its share buyback, while UBA’s Business Series spotlights turning customer feedback into tech solutions for African realities. Maritime Security: A Gulf of Guinea rapid reaction task force is launched to tackle piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing.

Pastoral Livestock Investment Push: The AU’s AU-IBAR opened the inaugural African Pastoral Markets Forum in Addis Ababa, urging investors to treat pastoralism as a growth engine for food security, jobs and regional trade—not just a vulnerability. Egypt–China Cooperation: An Egyptian expert calls Egypt-China ties a “strategic model” for Global South partnership, citing major Chinese-backed infrastructure and industrial projects. Climate & Disaster Insurance Leadership: African Risk Capacity (ARC) appointed David Maslo as CEO to expand climate and disaster risk financing across Africa. Housing for Growth: Nigeria reaffirmed plans for 100,000 affordable homes under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme, with 14 flagship projects in motion. Energy Tech for Power Projects: USP&E showcased an AI digital-twin platform for African power plants at the Cape Town Energy Forum, aiming to improve forecasting and operations. Cyber Sanctions: The EU and UK imposed coordinated sanctions on Russian cyber actors over attacks on European governments, critical infrastructure and businesses. Regional Security Training: Morocco and AFRICOM signed an MoU to set up the Africa Multidomain Training and Experimentation Center (drone academy included) in Tan-Tan by 2030. Trade & Shipping Risk: With tensions rising around the Strait of Hormuz and possible Red Sea disruption, analysts warn of renewed pressure on fuel and fertilizer costs. Stablecoin Payments Funding: Velocity raised $38m to help businesses use stablecoins for faster cross-border payments. Kenya Refinery Backlash: Greenpeace Africa urged Kenya to pause Dangote’s planned Lamu mega oil refinery pending independent environmental and social impact assessment.

Nigeria’s naira-for-crude deal under strain: Dangote Petroleum has stopped selling petrol, diesel and jet fuel for naira, moving product sales to dollars—raising fears of higher pump prices and more FX pressure. Nigeria education costs: Nigeria’s education ministry has withdrawn a planned WAEC/NECO fee hike for 2027 after backlash, citing economic realities and the need for wider consultations. Kenya household hit from EAC tariff move: The EAC lets Kenya keep higher import duties on items like diapers, smartphones and LPG, pushing up costs for everyday goods. Uganda AI music boom: Kampala artists are using AI to speed up production, but copyright and “human soul” concerns are growing. Uganda SME lending push: NCBA Bank Uganda launches fast unsecured SME loans up to Shs500m within 48 hours, with fee waivers and advisory support. Senegal connectivity upgrade: Sonatel adds 16 OneWeb satellite antennas at its Gandoul teleport to boost high-speed, more resilient regional internet. Global trade signal: China’s exports jumped 27% in June on AI-driven demand, with stronger shipments to Africa among other regions. Liberia power safety concern: An elderly woman was electrocuted after a high-tension line fell in Ganta, renewing scrutiny of grid management. Nigeria PFIPC scandal probe demand: Adeniyi Adeyemi asks for an independent panel to investigate alleged PFIPC controversy and a ₦1.3bn allocation insertion.