AGP Executive Report

Malawi Mining Push: Rare-earth and critical-minerals projects could reshape Malawi’s economy, but analysts warn the usual risk is exporting raw value without stronger institutions, local participation and processing. West Africa Lithium Watch: Australasian Metals surged after securing an option over Côte d’Ivoire lithium projects, highlighting fast-moving competition for battery supply chains. Clean Cooking Finance: Carbon-credit-backed clean cookstoves are expanding as Africa still relies heavily on charcoal and firewood, with major health and forest-pressure stakes. Cyber in the AI Era: Swiss Re says AI is amplifying existing cyber risks, while the insurance “protection gap” and underinsurance remain the big hurdles. UN Map Correction: The UN General Assembly backed an Africa-right-size “Equal Earth” push, with the US the lone no vote. Health Under Strain: Congo’s Ebola burial teams say fatigue and community anger are rising as cases mount. Energy & Trade Finance: RMB settlement and clearing are growing across Africa as China-Africa trade deepens. Liberia Court Clears Labour Minister: Liberia’s Supreme Court dismissed a complaint against Labour Minister Cooper Kruah over alleged ethical breaches. Nigeria Refining Pressure: Refinery owners urge government action to secure commercially viable crude supplies and fix the naira-for-crude framework.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution 164-1, with the AU urging equal-area maps to end centuries of distortion that make Africa look smaller. Human Trafficking Fight: Nigeria’s Next2None and NAPTIP signed an MoU for Africa’s first international fashion-for-social-impact campaign, “Threads of Resilience: Fashion for Freedom,” running to 2034 to prevent exploitation and support survivors. Waste & Jobs: Lagos recycling experts at the 5th Cycling Lagos webinar urged stronger enforcement, long-term financing and better infrastructure to turn Nigeria’s waste into economic value. Debt Pressure: Analysts warn Africa’s debt servicing is squeezing budgets and delaying the benefits of reforms, with Nigeria and Ethiopia cited as key examples. Policy & Industry: Kenya’s Ruto says the country will stop exporting raw materials and push local processing and value addition. Regional Security & Climate: ECOWAS and EAC parliamentary leaders move toward a network to coordinate positions on insecurity, migration and climate. Digital Payments: Valu officially launched its flexible payments and BNPL push in Jordan, expanding its regional fintech footprint.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed an African-led push to move from the Mercator projection toward Equal Earth, with 164 countries voting in favour and the US the lone dissenter—expected to influence classrooms, textbooks and digital mapping. Power & Industry: Energy experts warn Africa must urgently invest in efficient, digitalised electricity grids as demand surges and losses stay high. Kenya’s Wealth Plan: Kenya’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Act 2026 lays groundwork for investing natural-resource and strategic assets for future generations. Kenya Migration Strategy: New analysis argues most East Africa-to-Europe migration is legal, shifting debate toward skills and structured mobility. Corporate Climate Push (Nigeria): NGX’s N-Zero baseline assessments aim to help firms move from pledges to emissions measurement and green-capital readiness. Sports Development (Nigeria): Ogun seeks Tunisia-style football systems for grassroots and club structures; AFEDEV unveils an inclusive American football pathway for para-athletes. Aviation Growth: Boeing forecasts Africa will need about 1,165 new aircraft by 2045 as intra-African and Middle East traffic expands.

Cartography & Identity: The UN General Assembly backed a resolution to correct Africa’s size on world maps, endorsing the Equal Earth projection over Mercator; Togo says it will update school geography books by end-2026, and the African Union calls for schools and digital platforms to follow. Debt, Reparations & Sovereignty: At a youth forum in Accra, Kwesi Pratt Jnr and Pan-African Progressive Front leaders urged young Africans to push for debt cancellation and reparations as justice—linking the debt crisis to slavery, colonialism and neocolonial control. Trade & Jobs: Nigeria launched ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) sensitisation for businesses in Bauchi, urging firms to use the scheme to expand exports across 15 ECOWAS states and create jobs. Climate Finance for Farmers: IFAD and Equity Group unveiled a $200m East Africa climate adaptation finance mechanism (ARCAFIM) to reach smallholders and rural businesses, with a focus on women and youth. Sahel Security: Reports say Russia’s Africa Corps helped Niger loyalists repel a mutiny at Air Base 101, highlighting how foreign military backing can entrench junta rule. Economy Watch: South Africa braces for Q2 GDP data, with economists expecting a contraction. Digital Sovereignty: Nigeria’s NITDA urged a risk-based approach to digital sovereignty, not a one-size-fits-all rule about where data is stored. Business Disruption: Uber abruptly exited Nigeria and Uganda, ending operations after more than a decade in Nigeria and about ten years in Uganda.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed the AU-led “Correct the Map” resolution, voting 164-1 (with 6 abstentions) to encourage use of the Equal Earth projection instead of Mercator, after African states argued Mercator “shrinks” Africa in public perception. Climate Finance for Farmers: Uganda is set to receive about Shs755bn (US$200m) under IFAD and Equity Group’s 12-year ARCAFIM scheme, targeting 260,000 smallholders and 500 rural MSMEs across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, with women at least half of beneficiaries. Women’s Health Funding Debate (South Africa): A rights-focused piece argues South Africa must move sexual and reproductive health and rights from rhetoric to budget priorities, stressing financing and delivery gaps. Security in Nigeria: Fresh clashes in Borno’s Sambisa Forest between Boko Haram and ISWAP reportedly killed at least 23 fighters, while Boko Haram also attacked an APC governorship candidate’s convoy. Aviation Growth (Nigeria): Nigeria added 322,800 scheduled airline seats in September to reach 1.19m, the second-biggest capacity jump in Africa. Education Watch (Ghana): WAEC reports WASSCE 2026 English results fell to 62.4% in A1–C6, while Social Studies rebounded to 78.04%.

Local Governance: Tshwane’s mayor Nasiphi Moya admits cracks in the ANC-led coalition, pointing to the lack of a coalition agreement as a key oversight while insisting services have held up and future coalitions remain possible. Peace & Diplomacy: At the AU’s 21st extraordinary session in Angola, Cameroon’s PM envoy Dion Ngute pushed dialogue as the route to resolving conflicts, with focus on early warning, counter-terrorism and sustainable funding for African-led peace. Global Representation: The UN General Assembly backed “Correct the Map,” voting to replace the Mercator projection after African states said it has long minimized Africa’s perceived size. Agriculture & Food Systems: Rwanda’s IFAD and Bank of Kigali signed a $12m financing deal to expand farmers’ access to credit, targeting smallholders and women/youth. Energy Security: Tanzania says it wants more investment and local participation in energy as African countries seek joint solutions to reliability challenges. Politics & Youth: Nigeria’s Atiku defends his record on street begging and education, while child-marriage advocates warn progress is still too slow. Security: Nigeria’s police say they repelled a terrorist attack on a Borno APC governorship candidate’s convoy, with no casualties reported. Business & Industry: Dangote Refinery’s planned IPO is nearing, with reports of billions of shares and a potential landmark listing for retail investors.

Domestic Financing Push: Liberia’s planning minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan urged stronger local resource mobilisation and smarter spending as aid shrinks and global shocks hit essentials like fuel, rice and medicine. West Africa Integration Strain: Nigeria’s presidency says Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s ECOWAS exit has weakened regional integration, with border management now seen as a key frontline for both trade and security. Food Systems Investment: Leaders at Rwanda’s Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali called for decisive funding and better state coordination to turn progress into sustainable agrifood outcomes. Digital Finance Leadership: Nigeria is urged to lead Africa in digital finance and tokenised assets, building home-grown trust and regulatory systems to attract global capital. Energy Data Deal: Nigeria and the IEA signed a joint work programme to improve energy data and support evidence-based policy and investment. Credit Rating Agency: Tinubu welcomed the AU’s African Credit Rating Agency launch on Oct 7, saying Africa wants fair, independent risk assessments. Transport Planning (Cape Town): Residents can comment on Cape Town’s draft integrated transport plan, including walking/cycling support and rail-backed public transport. Uber Exit Fallout: Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector braces for reduced competition and earnings after Uber winds down operations. Oil Naming (Uganda): Uganda explains how “Pearl Sweet” was chosen as its crude trading name ahead of commercial production. Manufacturing Boost (Uganda): UMA says manufacturing contributes 16.5% to Uganda’s economy and is central to jobs and value chains. Industrial Development (Ghana): DBG says it has disbursed over GH¢2.5bn, with many beneficiaries outside Accra and a big share going to women-led firms and agribusiness. Uranium Stake Sale: South Africa’s IDC plans to sell its Namibian uranium stake over exposure to sanctioned Iranian and Russian backers.

Oil & Industry: Uganda has named its crude blend “Pearl Sweet” ahead of commercial exports, branding it as low-sulfur and pushing the idea that oil should spur local industry, not just raw exports. Climate & Governance: A climate advocate in Nigeria calls for stronger enforcement of environmental standards and moving from pledges to implementation across Africa. Health: Nigeria hosts the inaugural Dementia Africa Conference 2026, launching a 10-year push to make dementia a continental public health priority. Digital Health: Nigeria’s UbuntuCare plans to connect citizens with healthcare services across 774 local governments, aiming to close access gaps through tech-enabled referrals and follow-up. Finance: The Islamic Development Bank prices a $1.5bn five-year sukuk, its second benchmark issuance of the year, citing strong investor demand. Macroeconomics: Zimbabwe’s inflation falls to 2.9% in August 2026, down from 736% in 2024, as the central bank credits tight policy and exchange-rate stability. Sports & Talent: Ghana’s Ace National Junior Tennis Camp 2026 ends in Accra, building a pathway for young players. Women’s Football: WAFU Zone B qualifiers set up a final between Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa and Nigeria’s Edo Queens. Business Climate: Nigeria’s ADC criticises Uber’s exit as proof the country is becoming a “graveyard of businesses,” blaming costs and hardship. Sports (Ghana): Medeama targets CAF Champions League glory at home as they host TP Mazembe in Tarkwa. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Orange backs the ReuNION submarine cable project linking La Réunion to South Africa to boost capacity and route diversity.

Fuel-price pressure in South Africa: COSATU says repeated petrol and diesel hikes are squeezing households and urges temporary levy relief, Road Accident Fund reforms, and targeted commuter support. Ghana e-levy debate: Economist-cleric Samuel Worlanyo Mensah calls for re-engineering and reintroducing the e-Levy to fund development as the tax was repealed in 2025. Treason case diplomacy in Zambia: UN, SADC, AU and church bodies are involved in efforts to resolve treason charges against Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and 16 others, with lawyers pushing for national healing talks. South Sudan peace push: The AU Peace and Security Council urges leaders to resume direct dialogue without preconditions, fast-track key justice mechanisms, and end hostilities. Eswatini dam and China-Taiwan tensions: A China-backed consortium says it will continue the Mpakeni Dam despite Beijing’s travel warnings, highlighting limits of pressure over Taiwan. Africa food systems innovation: CGIAR showcases scalable, investment-ready climate-smart and digital agriculture solutions at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda. Nigeria security and drugs enforcement: NDLEA chief Buba Marwa calls for financial crackdowns on drug cartels, while Borgu residents flee attacks and demand sustained security.

Medical Education Access: Gauteng selects 18 disadvantaged students for the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro medical programme in Cuba, aiming to widen pathways into healthcare careers. Healthcare Capacity: Zimbabwe’s Mpilo expands joint replacement services, training local surgeons for hip and knee operations to cut the need for patients to travel abroad. Oil & Gas Milestone: Uganda names its crude blend “Pearl Sweet,” a low-sulfur marker for commercial production later this year. Debt & Reform: Senegal signals it will restructure debt in exchange for a $2.2bn IMF credit, following a hidden-debt shock that triggered market turmoil. Digital & Power for Growth: Lagos pushes stronger electricity and fibre infrastructure to back digital transformation and “sovereign AI” ambitions. AI Startup Funding: Askya launches a zero-equity accelerator offering up to $200,000 to African AI startups, backing product development and distribution. Public Health Preparedness: A new global mpox vaccine reserve is set to start operating end-September for faster, fairer outbreak response. Climate Risk: UNICEF warns 162m children in eastern and southern Africa face heightened El Niño threats to food, health, and schooling. Sports & Culture: FIFA backs Nigeria’s football reforms; and Kano lists 19 governorship candidates for 2027, including the only female contender.

Nigeria Court Battle: A Federal High Court in Abuja postponed Atiku Abubakar’s suit seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 election to Sept 28, after Atiku said he couldn’t personally deliver the originating summons. Political Pressure in South Africa: ANC critics say the party is running out of chances as voters weigh service delivery failures ahead of the 4 Nov local polls, while Parliament’s impeachment process faces accusations of delaying tactics over the Section 89 evidence leader. Somalia Security Transition: Somalia’s national security adviser says AUSSOM and any troop drawdown will be gradual, tied to Somali readiness and progress against al-Shabab, as Mogadishu’s fractured politics raise wider Horn-of-Africa risks. Climate and Disaster Risk: A Nepal floods report links the disaster to climate change and a glacier/rock-face collapse scenario, underscoring the need for better monitoring and early warning. Energy, Industry and Investment: Nigeria plans a homegrown tertiary ranking system; DFC expands rare-earth financing in Madagascar; and Sasol reports stronger 2026 results as oil prices lift performance. Business and Finance: Botswana’s Continental Reinsurance sets up its first IPO in nearly a decade, while B Lab Africa opens its 7th SME sustainability programme. Sports and Media: FIFA’s Infantino keeps Africa’s backing, and MultiChoice is reportedly testing new DStv sports and movies packages for September.

Nigeria’s Growth Push: Nigeria’s economy grew 4.43% in Q2 2026 and is on track for a $1tn GDP target by 2030, with manufacturing, agriculture and services all expanding. Education Costs Reset: JAMB and WAEC set a one-off N4,000 fee for O’Level result verification, ending repeated charges by institutions. Fuel Subsidy Politics: Atiku attacks Tinubu over fuel pricing and says he’ll review NELFUND and offer debt forgiveness for qualifying students. Digital Infrastructure Investment: WIOCC secured $300m from AFC and Vision Invest to expand open-access data centres and fibre across Africa. Food Security Reality Check: Somalia’s early warning systems are spotlighted as a model for turning data into action, while Africa’s child nutrition gap is blamed on affordability, not advice. Housing Pressure in Lagos: Homeownership in Lagos sits at 31% as rents surge, with prime land now costing about $1m for 507sqm. Energy Frontier: Namibia’s Mopane field reserves jump 57% and Nigeria’s refining push is framed as a regional shift toward processing. Sports & Youth Pipeline: Nigeria’s D’Tigress slip to 10th in FIBA rankings, while basketball leaders warn Nigeria needs stronger grassroots development.

Ebola Response in DRC: Five Ebola survivors were discharged in Béni as the outbreak surpassed 6,000 cases, with 2,911 deaths, amid insecurity and displacement. Peace Financing: Nigeria urged the AU to accelerate a $1bn Peace Fund and new financing tools to cut reliance on external support for peace and security. ECOWAS Reset: ECOWAS’s new president, Birame Diop, pledged deeper engagement with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after their exit, saying geography and shared threats make cooperation unavoidable. Energy and Power: Eskom reported a major turnaround with reduced load shedding and higher profits, but warned municipal debt still threatens long-term sustainability. Solar Mini-Grids in Nigeria: A $4m investment will expand solar mini-grids to 19 communities in Bauchi and Jigawa, targeting 100,000 people. Food and Fertilizer Security: Major development banks backed a coordinated push to boost fertilizer production and infrastructure to protect food security from future shocks. Kenya Youth Sports: Kenya topped ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi with 50 medals, aiming to use the momentum for Dakar 2026. Governance in Football: Nigeria’s NFF fact-finding committee alleged interference in player selection and coach appointments, calling for systemic reforms.

Cricket Watch: South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada is a doubt for the Australia Tests after a hamstring injury, with 20-year-old Kwena Maphaka ready to step up if needed. Health & Rights: Namibia rejects a US health data and specimen-sharing proposal, citing privacy and sovereignty concerns while seeking alternative HIV funding. Politics & Power: Guinea-Bissau holds a referendum to strengthen the presidency and shrink parliament, with opposition urging a boycott ahead of December elections. TVET & Jobs: Ghana’s YES-PACT partners highlight TVET reforms across Ethiopia and Uganda, pushing longer-term trainer funding and stronger private-sector roles. Business & Trade: Afreximbank appoints senior executives to deepen regional operations and speed up intra-African trade delivery. Gender & Safety: South Africa launches a Femicide Review Pilot, calling for evidence-based systems to prevent gender-based violence. Culture & Memory: Ghana urges artists and collectors to better preserve cultural artefacts and memorabilia to protect national history. Sports Development: Ghana’s Asawase commissions the Dogo Moro Mini-Stadium to expand grassroots sports access. Regional Security: ECOWAS begins a new push for unity under its new Commission president, stressing cooperation despite Sahel bloc withdrawals.

CAF Football Governance: CAF has invited Liberian legal practitioner Cllr. Kunkunyon Wleh Teh to an Addis Ababa Governance Committee meeting (Sept 15–19), underscoring a push for stronger accountability in continental football. Housing Crunch: In Ivory Coast’s Abidjan, renters say wages can’t match soaring rents and poor housing conditions, with UN Habitat warning rental unaffordability is a major regional problem. South Africa Court Case: Former Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s discharge application is set for the Pretoria High Court, as prosecutors argue she has a case to answer over alleged corruption-linked payments. Health & Pharma: Senegal becomes the first African country to locally manufacture a generic sickle cell treatment (DREPAF), aiming to expand affordable access across the continent. Security & Peace: Civil society groups warn of rising Twic-Abyei tensions and urge President-led de-escalation as inflammatory rhetoric fuels fears of renewed violence. Infrastructure & Trade: Nigeria’s ports modernisation drive (about $1bn) targets obsolete infrastructure and congestion, aiming to cut losses and rebalance cargo flows. Ghana Sports Risk: Ghana faces warnings it could lose CAF goodwill if Accra Sports Stadium isn’t urgently repaired or rebuilt. Youth & Skills: A WATAF policy dialogue in Accra (Sept 15–19) will focus on building stronger tax systems for revenue mobilisation and sustainable development.

AU Peace & Security: Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita urged AU leaders to put prevention at the centre of Africa’s peace and security work, linking it to root causes and calling for tighter AU-UN coherence as the Luanda summit pushes APSA reforms. Financing Peace Missions: Ghana’s President Mahama backed predictable, sustainable global funding for African-led peace support, welcoming UN Security Council Resolution 2719 and the Luanda Action Plan. Xenophobia Crisis: Nigeria’s Tinubu told the AU to act urgently over xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks in South Africa, warning they threaten African unity and prompting reports of Nigeria evacuating over 1,500 citizens. ECOWAS Learning: ECOWAS unveiled books documenting lessons from ECOMOG and other peace interventions, aiming to improve future conflict-resolution operations. South Africa Economy: Labour criticised exclusion from South Africa’s business-government growth pact, as Ramaphosa pushes a drive for 3%+ growth and more jobs. Sports & Youth: Nigeria’s aquatics federation elected Lekan Fatodu to the Africa Aquatics Zone 2 board, boosting regional swimming development.