AGP Executive Report

ECOWAS Integration Push: Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio urged West African leaders to deliver results, not promises, as China-aided ECOWAS headquarters was commissioned in Abuja—aimed at boosting coordination across the bloc’s institutions. Health Systems & Governance: ESAMI launched AfriCHEG in Arusha to close the research-to-policy gap in health economics, training leaders and using technology to strengthen Universal Health Coverage. Industrial & Energy Build-Out (Ghana): 24-Hour Economy and Petrochemical Holding GmbH signed an MoU for a US$700m chemical complex plus gold tailings recovery and environmental remediation—targeting jobs and export acceleration. Regional Infrastructure Finance (Angola/DRC): The Lobito Corridor railway hit financial close at $753m to rehabilitate and operate the 1,300km line linking Angola’s Lobito port to the DRC border. Digital Economy & AI: ITU and partners unveiled “Lighthouse Cases” for the Global Digital Compact, with multiple submissions from Asia and Africa; meanwhile Kenya’s Fikra API launched an M-Pesa-friendly AI inference service for local developers. Crypto Regulation (Nigeria): SEC admitted seven more crypto firms into its ARIP sandbox with Approval-in-Principle, tightening oversight as the market evolves. Sustainable Energy Access (Nigeria): Nigeria inaugurated its Africa Minigrids Programme with 23 mini-grids planned to power 50,000 people, backed by UNDP and the Rural Electrification Agency. Business Leadership (Africa): Diageo appointed John Musunga as Managing Director, Africa, relocating to Nairobi to drive growth across the continent.

Trade & Investment Linkages: GITA’s India Trade Desk in Colombo is set to help Sri Lankan firms navigate India’s market entry hurdles while also encouraging Indian investment into Sri Lanka. Corporate Leadership: SAP appoints Verena Siow as regional president for Asia Pacific, as it pushes its “autonomous enterprise” push into the AI era. Aviation & Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines launches a new passenger service to Lyon, adding more Europe-Africa travel options via Addis Ababa. Nigeria Development Finance: Bank of Industry (BoI) says it disbursed N644.9bn in 2025, supporting 1.68m jobs and prioritising MSMEs, youth and gender-focused enterprises. Ports & Trade Facilitation: Nigeria’s NPA and ANLCA agree to tackle Apapa and Tin Can congestion and improve customs-to-port coordination. Oil & Gas Contractor Credit: Shell Nigeria and nine banks launch a $3bn contract finance facility to fund indigenous contractors in naira and dollars. Energy Access: Nigeria completes 23 solar mini-grids powering about 50,000 people under the Africa Mini-Grids Programme pilot. Industrial Policy & Regional Integration: ECOWAS inaugurates its Abuja headquarters as Tinubu calls for a shift toward regional production to drive shared prosperity. Shareholder Returns: Dangote Cement raises its dividend to N45 per share (N753.8bn total), up 50% from 2024.

Energy Transition: Africa’s electricity future is being framed around integrated power systems—mixing gas, renewables, hydropower and storage—to reach the 600m+ without power. Digital Trade & Logistics: Mozambique’s Port of Maputo takes a big step with its first Port Community System (PCS), aiming to streamline customs, vessel, and cargo processes. Oil & Gas Finance: Shell Nigeria launches a $3bn contractor support fund with nine banks, offering credit in naira and dollars to boost local content. Banking & Innovation: Wema Bank opens Hackaholics 7.0 (“Powering Possibilities”) for young African tech founders across seven tracks. Insurance & Risk: Kenya Reinsurance highlights its role as a regional safety net as East African insurers expand into bigger risks. Agribusiness & Climate: Zimbabwe tobacco growers warn land crunch makes forestry rules harder to meet, even as the sector pushes sustainable production. Ghana Flood Preparedness: ACPSEA calls for stronger, long-term disaster planning in Accra after the June 29 floods. Business Banking: Malawi’s NBS Bank rebrands SME Banking to “Business Banking,” promising faster, more modern service for growing firms.

Flood Disruption in Lagos: Atiku Abubakar urged solidarity with Lagos residents after devastating flooding disrupted motorists, commuters and business owners. SME Financing in Kenya: Bank of Africa Kenya and Ganatra (JCB dealer) struck a deal letting small contractors buy heavy machinery with 10% upfront and 90% financing over five years. Libya Institutional Unification: AU bureau member Mohamed Menfi said any US initiative on Libya must flow through Libya’s constitutional institutions, the AU and the UN. World Bank Clean Energy Push (Morocco): The World Bank approved $265m for Morocco’s Ifahsa pumped hydropower storage project to add grid flexibility for renewables. Digital Payments Drive (Zimbabwe): Zimbabwe’s RBZ urged SMEs to use digital payments to boost inclusion and growth. Maritime Security Cost: A former naval chief warned West Africa loses over $500m annually to maritime insecurity via counter-piracy and protection costs. Egypt Data Centres: Hassan Allam’s digital unit won a $400m data centre/cloud licence. Nigeria Jobs & Trade Fair: Ghana’s AFROMART 2026 MoU targets 10,000 job placements via a 72-hour deployment event. World Bank Nigeria Loan: Nigeria received a $1.25bn World Bank package tied to jobs and private-sector-led growth. Afreximbank backs Dangote energy: Afreximbank reiterated support for Dangote’s push toward Africa’s energy self-sufficiency. DP World Egypt Logistics: DP World launched a Sokhna distribution centre to strengthen Egypt’s trade role. Digital Banking Upgrade: Interswitch partnered with Temenos to expand digital banking capabilities across Africa. AfCFTA Digital Trade (Nigeria): Nigeria’s trade minister pushed digital trade to unlock a $712bn opportunity. JSE Volatility: South Africa’s JSE struggled in H1 2026, with broad losses weighing on investors.

Ebola Cost Shock: The UN warns Central Africa’s Ebola outbreak could cost Africa up to $3.6bn and push nearly one million more people into poverty if it spreads further. Trade & Logistics: DP World marked progress on Egypt’s first integrated Logistics Distribution Centre at Sokhna, while Emirates added a third daily Nairobi flight, boosting cargo capacity for Kenya’s exporters. Banking Expansion: Côte d’Ivoire is emerging as a West African banking battleground as lenders like Zenith and Mauritius Commercial Bank expand into the country. Fintech Momentum: UBA Ghana projects Africa’s fintech market could top $65bn by 2030, betting on youth and digital adoption. MSME Digital Push: MTN Ghana partnered with the Ghana Enterprises Agency to launch an MSME Digital Gateway and scale digital support for small businesses. Investment Risk Insurance: ATIDI reported 20% higher 2025 profit to $71.4m and urged stronger African financial architecture to unlock investment. Policy Execution: Nigeria’s Tinubu called for AfCFTA “execution” via digital trade, customs reforms, and better border processes. Labour Deal: South Africa’s SATAWU secured a three-year wage agreement for private security workers, including employer contributions to medical aid.

Private Aviation & New Demand: Vista’s new Bombardier Global 8000 tour highlights a shift toward younger Chinese entrepreneurs flying more frequently, including growing China–Africa travel links. Family Business Risk: A Kenya study flags divorce and weak succession planning as top threats to wealth transfer in family firms, warning founders to tackle governance early. Aviation Connectivity: Air Algerie plans to resume direct Tripoli flights before end-2026, adding routes to Conakry and Brazzaville to deepen Africa network ties. Digital Payments Push: Visa lets smartphones act as payment terminals for small merchants via Visa Accept/Direct, aiming to ease cash-flow strain in emerging markets. Nigeria Creative Economy: NECLive and Frontyard Group release Nigeria’s Creative Economy 2026 report, pointing to infrastructure gaps, admin burden, payment-rail friction and financing/training limits. EU Funding for Nigeria: European development financiers unveil a fresh €20m Nigeria Country Window, with more expected for infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, renewables and SMEs. Regulation Watch (South Africa): Aarto rollout expands to more municipalities from 1 July after a court challenge failed, though implementation rules still confuse local authorities. Oil Security & Revenue: Nigeria’s pipeline surveillance is credited with stabilising output and cushioning the economy as global oil prices soften. Cameroon Industrial Crackdown: Douala seals multiple illegal/nonconforming industrial firms, including in manufacturing and recycling, as enforcement tightens. Libya–Ethiopia Fuel Deal: OLA Energy acquires TotalEnergies’ Ethiopia fuel assets, boosting Libya’s fuel distribution footprint with stations and storage terminals. Crypto Compliance Shift (Dubai): MiCA’s July 2026 deadline is driving European crypto firms to Dubai, with VARA licensing inquiries surging.

Social Protection Push: Namibia’s justice and labour ministry says expanding social protection to informal workers is a top priority, with laws under review to extend coverage beyond formal jobs. SME Credit Growth: Africa Bitcoin Corp’s Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund (ACOF) says credit exposure to SMEs rose to N$363m (from N$267m) as it prepares a broader international capital listing. Business Climate Risk: Fitch warns African banks face rising climate-linked credit vulnerability, with transition risks hitting first and physical risks growing more important over time. Nigeria Business Pressure: NECA says energy costs, inflation and multiple taxes are still undermining enterprise growth despite reforms. AfCFTA Acceleration: Nigeria urges faster AfCFTA implementation to move from commitments to action, including digital trade and interoperable payments. Digital Trade & Connectivity: Nigeria’s NCC calls for faster FTTH rollout, citing only 265,000 active subscriptions and a big gap versus mature markets. Ghana Refining Expansion: President Mahama breaks ground on Sentuo Oil Refinery phase two, targeting +60,000 bpd capacity and reduced product imports. Libya-Tunisia Deals: Tripoli and Sfax chambers push construction and contracting links as Tunisia’s exports to Libya rise. Uganda Rights & Media: Amnesty and others condemn Uganda’s clampdown on media and demand an end to harassment of activists. Uganda Labour Allegations: Spiro employees allege torture by managers over battery-exchange performance, triggering legal action. Tech for Telecoms: Tech Mahindra and Microsoft unveil an AI network digital twin for telecom operators to improve reliability and speed up 5G services. Climate-Smart Agriculture: A WMO-linked report urges youth-focused climate-smart farming to protect food systems as Africa’s emissions are low but climate impacts are severe.

Aluminium Push in Ghana: GIADEC signed an MoU with Italy’s Danieli for a €300m Tema Industrial Park aluminium rolling facility, including a foil plant (40,000–45,000 tonnes/year) and a Centre of Excellence to build a deeper local value chain. Lithium Beneficiation in Zimbabwe: Kamativi Mining invested over US$200m in a lithium sulphate project, targeting 75,000 tonnes annually from a smelter and sulphuric acid plant, with commissioning expected by July 2027. Energy Security Pressure in Nigeria: Nigeria imported about 64,500 bpd (around 2m barrels/month) of Libyan crude for the first time in available records, underscoring ongoing feedstock constraints for local refineries. Power Costs Bite: NGX-listed firms spent N400.83bn on alternative energy in Q1 2026, up 3.66%, as unreliable electricity keeps forcing diesel and other self-generation. Regional Trade Momentum: Afreximbank urged African governments to move faster on AfCFTA implementation to turn geopolitical disruption into industrialisation and stronger intra-African trade. Aviation Integration: AFRAA admitted United Nigeria Airlines as a full member, expanding West African connectivity and regional airline cooperation. AI Adoption in Africa: Chinese firms are gaining ground by promoting open-source AI models, lowering costs and helping African developers build local solutions. Heritage Entrepreneurship: Zimbabwe and Zambia launched a Victoria Falls entrepreneurship workshop to link heritage conservation with community enterprise.

Renewables Push: KenGen has more than tripled its long-term renewable target to 5,500MW, unveiling a bigger pipeline under its G2G 2034 strategy and linking growth to nuclear, hydropower and geothermal. Digital Rights & Telecom: MTN placed second globally in the 2026 Ranking Digital Rights Index, citing stronger governance and transparency around digital human rights. Payments & Trade Finance: China’s yuan clearing hub for 19 African countries is set to cut dollar dependence, with Standard Bank and ICBC appointed to run the continent-wide arrangement. SME Formalisation (Nigeria): Nigeria approved free CAC registration for 250,000 MSMEs to boost formalisation and financial inclusion, alongside training support. Infrastructure (Ghana): Accra faces fresh flooding, with emergency response underway and warnings that the “balance sheet” hit is human, not just economic. Maritime Skills (Ghana): Ghana’s Regional Maritime University graduated 417 professionals as the transport minister pledged to make RMU a globally competitive maritime training hub. China–Africa Business Playbook (Nigeria): CEIBS Africa urged Nigerian executives to better understand how Chinese firms negotiate and invest as tariffs ease and trade deepens. Child Road Safety (Zimbabwe): PICA launched a child-led “Be Seen, Be Safe” campaign to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce school-route risks. Energy Access (Africa): IFC backed CrossBoundary Access with $10m equity to expand mini-grids and battery-as-a-service projects across Sub-Saharan Africa. Protest Management (South Africa): The SA Human Rights Commission urged peaceful, lawful June 30 marches and reminded workers that the day is a normal working day.

Engineering-Led Growth: Nigeria’s Prof. Umar Danbatta was inaugurated as the 14th President of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering, pledging policy engagement, academia-industry links, mentorship and home-grown tech to tackle power, broadband and climate challenges. Retail Risk Watch: South Africa’s Mr Price flagged geopolitical tensions, oil-price volatility and supply-chain disruptions as key threats to the retail recovery, citing higher shipping and fuel costs. Insurance Digitisation: Nigeria’s NAICOM granted a partnering insurtech licence to NETAPPS, aiming to deepen insurance penetration and expand access via technology and alternative distribution. Transport Policy Clash: South Africa’s Aarto rollout faces fresh legal pressure as municipalities seek court action to halt the next phase due 1 July, with officials citing readiness gaps. Family Business Momentum: PwC reports 66% of Africa’s family businesses saw sales growth despite uncertainty, with regional priorities ranging from fiscal stability to energy constraints and digital transformation. Energy Investment Lens: The IEA projects Africa’s energy investment at $110bn in 2026, with Nigeria among the biggest targets, while electrification and power diversification gain attention. Conservation Partnership: AWF and Dev-Afrique teamed up to strengthen conservation and environmental governance, pushing natural capital into planning and policy reforms. Mali Rights Alarm: Human Rights Watch says abuses by Islamist armed groups and Malian forces escalated after April fighting, including attacks on civilians and reprisals.

Ebola Response Under Strain: In eastern DR Congo, insecurity and access limits are hampering case detection and treatment, with displaced people in camps often unreachable and funding gaps worsening the humanitarian squeeze. Uganda Media Crackdown: Uganda’s army chief ordered the shutdown of major outlets, including Daily Monitor, NTV and Spark TV, raising fresh alarms over shrinking civic space and press freedom. Nigeria Markets Watch: The NGX ended the week lower, with the All-Share Index down 1.65% and turnover dominated by financial services, signaling investor caution. Trade & Investment Push: The UAE and Panama are exploring stronger trade, investment and supply-chain links under “UAE Trade Days,” aiming to deepen private-sector partnerships. ESG Momentum in Ghana: Ghana is being cited as a regional ESG regulation leader as banks adopt sustainable banking principles and development partners push compliance. Energy Access Pressure: A new global report flags 655 million people without electricity, with Sub-Saharan Africa still the hardest hit and Uganda urged to make power affordable. Digital Disruption: Subsea cable damage off Abidjan is disrupting internet and data services across Ghana and parts of West Africa. Policy Risk for Nigeria’s Textiles: CPPE warns a proposed textile import ban could threaten about 10 million livelihoods by raising costs and disrupting supply chains. AFCON Infrastructure Sprint (Tanzania): Arusha road projects tied to AFCON are being pushed to run around the clock to meet international standards.

Energy Access Push: Africa’s Mission 300 has secured about $1.4bn in co-financing to speed electricity connections, with the World Bank and AfDB highlighting progress toward 300 million connections by 2030. FX & Importers: In Nigeria, Clea’s CEO says access to dollars remains the biggest hurdle for importers, even as CBN reforms narrow gaps. Food Security & Climate Risk: Zimbabwe’s El Niño threat is driving plans to reopen food imports, while Nigeria’s government signals climate-proofing and allowing more food imports using foreign currency. Power Investment: IFC backed rural electrification firm WeLight with a €27m raise to expand solar mini-grids into Nigeria and the DRC. Tech & AI Sovereignty: Policymakers warn Africa must move from AI adoption to owning the infrastructure, as data centres and power constraints keep local control limited. Business & Trade: Nigeria, EU and ECOWAS unveiled regional investment avenues at a business forum, focusing on agriculture, renewables, infrastructure and manufacturing. Corporate Moves: Ikeja Electric appoints a new acting CEO from July 1, as leadership shifts aim to strengthen service delivery. Governance & Politics: Nigeria’s NDC deregistration ruling faces fresh condemnation as INEC awaits the court’s certified ruling. Africa Day Diplomacy: African missions in Malaysia plan an Africa Day symposium on education, trade and investment to deepen ties.

Football Finance: Nigeria’s NPFL wage push is gaining attention after calls for a minimum N2m monthly salary for players, with supporters arguing better pay could lift league quality and reduce talent drain. Trade & Investment: Zenith Bank is sponsoring the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos, aiming to deepen commercial ties and position Nigeria as a gateway for Canadian firms. SME Credit: NMB Bank and Mastercard launched the NMB SME World Business Credit Card in Tanzania, offering short-term financing up to Sh50m with up to 53 interest-free days. Banking Strategy: Standard Chartered is reportedly weighing a sale or restructuring of its Ghana retail operations, raising questions for competition in the local banking market. Mining Taxes: Zimbabwean campaigners warn that mining by-products are being manipulated to lose tax revenue, urging governments to tax every mineral. Digital Justice: ECOWAS Court will launch an Electronic Case Management System to modernise filings, hearings and case tracking across the region. Water Security (Kenya): Haleon and the Upper Tana–Nairobi Water Fund will replenish 76,000m³ of water annually to support Nairobi’s long-term supply. Energy Costs (Ghana): A Ghana power tariff increase is defended as justified, citing FX pressure and heavy reliance on thermal generation. Entrepreneurship (Nigeria): NSIA is inviting applications for NPI 4.0, its innovation prize for startups focused on “Building for Impact.” Illicit Finance (Nigeria): ANEEJ says illicit financial flows are a major threat to Nigeria’s development and urges stronger investigative journalism and accountability.

Regional Trade & Integration: South Africa’s President Ramaphosa told SACU leaders no country can prosper alone amid shifting trade, tech and supply chains, urging a coordinated regional response. Governance & Sports Funding: South Africa’s SIU won a tribunal order for SASCOC and former NLC officials to repay nearly R25m linked to a diverted National Lotteries Commission grant, citing misrepresentation and unlawful enrichment. Mining & Trade Risk: Sibanye-Stillwater’s Montana platinum and palladium mines are rebuilding staffing after a 2024 layoff, but a US trade decision on Russian palladium could disrupt the balance. Brand-Led Growth: Namibia’s top brands in the Brand Africa 100 rankings highlighted local strength in telecoms and beer, with MTC and Windhoek Beer leading. Aviation & Exports: Nigeria’s NAHCO extended airline handling contracts and added FlyGabon, while starting solar cell exports to the US. Energy Projects: Ghana’s A Plus says it plans Africa’s biggest solar facility in Gomoa to cut power costs and attract manufacturers. Logistics Investment: Cameroon’s AGL is investing CFA2.6bn to expand Kribi’s cocoa logistics hub, adding storage and handling capacity. State Buying of Gold: Ghana will buy 30% of large-scale gold output from July 1 via GoldBod, refining locally and feeding reserves. Pay TV Content: MultiChoice launches two new Novelas+ channels (English and Portuguese) from July 1 to expand premium telenovela access across Africa.

Pharma Industrial Policy: Ghana’s Trade Ministry secured a €415,437.78 EU-backed grant for the PharmaVax Programme, aiming to strengthen governance, attract investment, boost exports, and position Ghana as a West African pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. Food & Biosecurity: A ban on hogs and pork from African Swine Fever-affected zones was imposed in Negros Oriental (Executive Order No. 46), with quarantine checks and a reactivated ASF task force to protect local farmers and consumers. Business & Consumer Innovation: IFF launched DANISCO GRINDSTED DuoGel for plant-based gummies across EMEA, targeting better elastic texture for low-pH, fruit-based confectionery without major line changes. Governance & Risk: Morocco’s court sentenced 29 people in a major drug trafficking and corruption case, ordering large fines and reigniting debate over ethics in politics. Regional Resilience: ECA urged Southern Africa to accelerate integration and coordinated shock responses as Middle East-related disruptions threaten inflation, trade, and food security. Security & Conflict Signals: Yemen’s Houthi leader escalated rhetoric despite worsening hardship, threatening confrontation and signaling readiness to intervene regionally.

Regional Payments Push: BCEAO extended the deadline for banks and other financial institutions to connect to the UEMOA instant payment interoperability platform (PI-SPI) to Sept. 30, 2026, with microfinance institutions getting until June 30, 2027—aimed at speeding technical go-lives. Trade & AfCFTA Momentum: Citibank convened West African policymakers and business leaders to deepen regional trade corridors under AfCFTA, with Nigeria’s central bank stressing stronger cross-border payments, FX market functioning and trade finance to cut transaction costs. Illicit Finance Crackdown: ANEEJ and SecFin Africa urged closer journalist collaboration to expose Nigeria’s illicit financial flows, citing losses of up to $17.8bn annually and calling for better accountability. Currency Caution: Nigeria’s Sanusi II warned ECOWAS against rushing the ECO common currency, arguing weak economies and fragile institutions make failure likely. Aviation & PPP Deal: Nigeria handed over Enugu’s Akanu Ibiam International Airport to concessionaires Aero Alliance for financing, expansion and operations, positioning the South East for new logistics and aviation opportunities. Energy Risk Watch: Fitch/BMI warned El Niño drought could cut hydropower output and raise electricity supply risks for Nigeria and the wider West African Power Pool. Digital MSME Boost (Ghana): Trident launched Sikaflow in Ghana to formalize MSME commerce and improve access to financial services, targeting over 2m mostly informal businesses.