AGP Executive Report

Cricket Spotlight: South Africa’s women’s T20 squad heads to Zimbabwe for a five-match series in Bulawayo, with captain Laura Wolvaardt calling it “very special” as a younger group gets chances against African rivals. Youth Jobs: McDonald’s South Africa will recruit 2,370 young people through its Hospitality Learnership Programme, aiming to tackle the 15–24 unemployment crisis with paid training and work placement. Digital Infrastructure: Digital Realty opened Nairobi Two (NBO2) Data Centre in Karen, adding 6.4MW and boosting Kenya’s push as East Africa’s digital hub. Payments for Everyday Commerce: Mastercard and Flowcart expand secure in-chat card payments across East Africa, with plans to scale further into South Africa, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Mining Governance: DR Congo moves to tighten state control over geological data tied to major copper and cobalt exploration, using a new national databank approach. Politics Watch: South Africa’s ANC asks the electoral court to overturn IEC rejections of party lists and ward nominations in six municipalities ahead of local elections. Business & Industry: KIA Africa regains full ownership of Nigeria’s Bacita Sugar after resolving financing issues with Keystone Bank, with a focus on rebuilding operations and jobs. Awards & Entrepreneurship: AWIEF names 2026 finalists, highlighting women-led innovation across tech, agriculture and creative industries.

Critical Minerals: A new “oil of the 21st century” race is heating up as lithium, cobalt, graphite, rare earths and copper become key inputs for batteries, magnets, defence tech and digital infrastructure. Geopolitics & Energy: China is bidding up crude across Africa and beyond as Hormuz risks and tighter Iranian supply push prices higher. Local Power Reality Check: Congo’s Inga Dam debate misses the point: turbines underperform and power can’t reach customers, leaving most people off the grid. Food Systems & Power: South Africa’s hunger crisis is framed as a “crisis of power” where concentrated bottlenecks control access, prices and choices. Education Access: Ghana’s Eduwatch urges clear, permanent rules for Free SHS placement, including scrapping the F9 barrier. Sahel Climate-Smart Farming: Research from peri-urban Niamey shows gendered inequality in who benefits from climate-smart tech. Digital & Trade Links: BRICS-backed cooperation is pushing AI and tech sharing across the Global South, tailored to local needs. Politics in Germany: AfD’s near-44% win is raising anxiety among African residents about immigration and racism. South Africa Energy Transition: A deputy minister heads to Japan to advance hydrogen plans and industrial partnerships. UN Map Fight: The UN backs “Correct the Map” to show Africa’s true size, with the US voting no. Mining Investment Push: Burundi opens its mining sector to foreign investment, seeking expertise for lithium and other minerals.

Urban Citizen Dialogue: South Africa’s Crossing The Line podcast launches monthly, audience-first city dialogues starting 9 Sept in Cape Town, with municipal-election themes running through December. GBV Response: Tears Foundation founder Mara Glennie urges survivor-led decision-making in frontline gender-based violence services, not just “professional training.” Agroecology Investment: ECOWAS launches a €20m West Africa agroecology innovation push in Lomé, backing farmer-focused projects to scale climate-smart practices. Digital Education Divide: A new push argues digital tools must support basic education, but internet access and device gaps still leave many schools behind. Clean Energy Jobs: The UK-backed Ayrton Fund says its work has improved clean energy access for 46m people and supported 256,000 green jobs. Nigerian Capital Markets: Nigeria’s SEC clears the way for Dangote Refinery’s potential ₦2.15tn IPO, with investors urged to weigh valuation and risks. Map & Identity: UN moves to replace Mercator with Equal Earth, sparking pride and debate across Africa about how cartography shapes global perception. Housing Security: South Africa’s rising long-term renting is paired with warnings that renters need the right insurance coverage.

Cricket & Youth Sport: South Africa won the inaugural Africa T20 Cup, with Namibia’s early upset and tight group games hinting the continent’s talent gap is closing. Test Tour Watch: Australia named Marnus Labuschagne in a 16-man squad for a three-Test series in South Africa starting Oct 9, despite recent struggles. Tragedy in Cabo Verde: A bus plunged into a ravine on Fogo island, killing at least 25 people, mostly children, as authorities investigate. Energy & Industry: Nigeria’s WAEP says it will ramp up output and gas monetisation on assets holding 1.6bn barrels, with drilling planned from December. Digital Finance: Lagos-backed GITEX platform MINT AFRICA aims to speed financial innovation across Africa, from AI to digital identity and programmable money. Mining Value-Add: Kenya’s push to stop exporting raw minerals and process locally puts it in step with a growing wave of African export controls. Health: NHS in the UK urgently seeks more black heritage blood donors as sickle cell treatment demand rises. Women & Trade: Zimbabwe’s First Lady leads women entrepreneurs to Russia to unlock markets, investment and partnerships.

World Map Push: The UN General Assembly voted 164-1 to “correct the map,” backing the Equal Earth projection so Africa is shown closer to its real size instead of being shrunk by Mercator. Health Supply Chain: Uganda’s Dei BioPharma was onboarded to Africa CDC’s African Pooled Procurement Mechanism for five years, aiming to strengthen access to regulated health products across the continent. Mobility Shock: Uber exited Uganda and Nigeria after 12 years, leaving drivers and riders to transition as the company cites a tougher market. Urban Politics Backlash: Kenya’s Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreign street hawkers, triggering fear and pushback among traders in urban centres. Tech + Law: Apple took a Johannesburg firm to court over alleged counterfeit iPhones seized at OR Tambo Airport. Conservation Data: South Africa and Botswana launched cross-border wildlife censuses, including a lion count in Kgalagadi, using camera traps and vehicle surveys. Education + Youth: Liberia’s school mission director says failing WASSCE shouldn’t define a student’s future, while the bigger question remains whether schools prepared learners properly. Regional Connectivity: Kenya and Somalia moved to extend the Isiolo–Mandera road corridor into Somalia, with a joint technical committee planned.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed an African-led push to phase out the Mercator projection and encourage use of Equal Earth, passing 164-1 (US opposed) and pushing fairer global cartography into classrooms, textbooks and digital platforms. Youth & Reparations: In Accra, youth forums amplified calls for debt cancellation and reparations as a route to economic independence, with speakers urging young Africans to lead the campaign. Governance & Cash Flow: Eswatini says about E600m in government projects are stalled because approved funds exist “on paper,” leaving contractors and communities waiting. Nigeria Social Spending Probe: Atiku Abubakar vowed an independent probe into Nigeria’s N33.75bn cash transfer disbursement to 3.29m households after audit concerns over whether beneficiaries were reached. Aviation Growth: Boeing forecasts Africa’s fleet will rise from 755 jets (2025) to 1,625 by 2045, driven by intra-African travel and Middle East links. Digital Safety: Meta’s US settlement on teen protections is being framed as a potential global benchmark for online safety. Sports: Zimbabwe named a provisional 2027 AFCON qualifying squad under Ramon Català, while Mali stunned Spain in the Women’s Basketball World Cup.

UN Map Reset: The UN General Assembly adopted “Correct the Map,” backing Equal Earth-style projections that show Africa’s true relative size; 164 voted for it, the US voted no, and the change is aimed at schools, media and digital platforms rather than banning Mercator. Skills-to-Jobs Push: Africa’s TVET overhaul is getting an implementation push, with the ILO backing reforms that link apprenticeships, recognition of prior learning, labour-market data and green skills to real employment outcomes. Maritime Manpower Gap: Nigeria’s NSML warns Africa must modernise maritime training beyond classrooms—adding quality education, international certification, tech-enabled learning and real sea-time to close the skills gap. Cyber Awareness for Youth: Namibia’s Global Cybersecurity Initiative urges young people to move from knowing threats to practising safe habits as cyber events and vulnerabilities keep rising. Agriculture Power Shift: Malawi calls for loosening state control of agricultural policymaking so farmers, youth, women and private firms shape commercialisation; panellists also stress fixing market infrastructure so farmers can actually sell. Policy & Data Sovereignty: Namibia-US tensions over HIV support and sensitive data/biological resources highlight the sovereignty debate as Washington shifts toward surveillance-focused cooperation.

UN Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” push, voting 164-1 (with six abstentions) to encourage use of more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth, after years of complaints that the Mercator map visually shrinks Africa; the US was the lone no vote. Xenophobia Response: Nigeria says it evacuated 1,695 citizens from South Africa this year amid xenophobic attacks, with more help being sought for another planned return of 500. AI for Health & Farming: African women researchers are using AI tools—like smartphone-linked microscopy—for faster disease diagnosis in Uganda and Rwanda, while similar innovation targets higher potato yields. Digital Identity Upgrade (Madagascar): Madagascar is strengthening its national digital ID with new cybercrime bills and plans for a dedicated digital protection and investigation unit. Energy & Tech Links: Egypt is expanding solar capacity with Chinese-backed Obelisk tech, while Egypt and Italy advanced talks on a 3,000MW Africa-Europe power interconnection corridor. Workforce Development (Ghana): Hyundai and KOICA launched “Hyundai-KOICA NextGen” to train automotive technicians and support Ghana’s skills pipeline.

Forensic Justice in SA: A specialist forensic nurse in Germiston, Sister Hazel Moagi, is credited with helping put a serial rapist behind bars—highlighting how underpaid, overlooked forensic care can be pivotal in tackling gender-based violence. Public Health Data Upgrade: Africa CDC and six countries are advancing a Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management framework to better use community feedback and social data for faster, smarter outbreak and immunisation decisions. Food Systems, Nutrition Focus: AGRA and GAIN signed a Letter of Intent to make Africa’s food systems more nutrition-centric, pushing mainstreaming, data for scale, and gender-inclusive agribusiness pathways. Safety Tech in Mobility: Yango Ride’s 2024–2025 safety report links fewer reckless-driving incidents and reduced post-trip contact complaints to privacy-protecting tech and 24/7 specialist support across Africa. Digital Infrastructure vs Water: South African civil rights groups want a pause on new data centres until water, land and power impacts are fully investigated. Youth, Innovation & Sports: LEAP 2026 closed in Riyadh with major tech investment announcements; South Africa also confirmed its U15 World Cup debut in Azerbaijan.

Digital Health & AI Procurement: East Africa is moving AI-supported diagnostics and telemedicine from pilots into procurement plans, with WHX Nairobi (16–18 Sept) set to spotlight interoperable systems and connected hospital tech. Oil Theft Deaths: Nigeria’s Niger Delta saw at least 37 deaths after people inhaled fumes linked to pipeline fuel theft, as illegal siphoning continues to fuel deadly accidents and pollution. South Africa Fraud Crackdown: A Sabric roundtable warns that social engineering drives most digital banking fraud, with R2.4bn lost in 2025 and over 100,000 incidents reported. ECOWAS Integration Hit: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s ECOWAS exit is blamed for weakening regional trade and free-movement protocols, with border management tied to security. AI Jobs Debate: Pakistan’s IT boom is paired with rapid shedding of entry-level roles as routine work shifts to AI tools—an Africa-relevant warning for skills and hiring. Mobility Safety in Cameroon: Yango reports a 38% drop in reckless driving incidents across Africa (2024–25) and says Cameroon safety events will return in Sept 2026. Industrial Push: AFC leaders point to Dangote’s investments as key to jobs, import substitution and industrialisation. Electricity for Vulnerable Children: Johannesburg’s City Power disconnected an NGO campus, forcing emergency generators and threatening hospital laundry and child-welfare services. Sports: Nigeria’s D’Tigress open their World Cup campaign vs South Korea in Berlin.

Mobility & Jobs: Uber has officially exited Nigeria and Uganda after 12 years, shutting down services on Sept 2 and cutting about 3,300 jobs as it pivots toward a driverless future. Food Security & Livestock: African ministers meeting at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali pledged to scale livestock innovations, aiming to strengthen value chains, unlock investment, and close Africa’s food-import gap. Health Policy: South Africa marks Pharmacy Month in September, spotlighting pharmacists’ roles in chronic care, vaccination, testing, and access to medicines. Public Health: South Africa also joins World Rabies Day on Sept 28 under “Stronger Together,” urging dog/cat vaccination and fast action after bites. Sports Development: Nigeria’s D’Tigress named their final 12-player roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, while FIH launched a Youth Hockey5s World Cup in Egypt (Dec 7–12, 2026). Aviation Safety: SACAA is reviewing an Airlink low flypast over Cape Town’s DHL Stadium after safety concerns from footage.

Apartheid Justice: Sharpeville massacre survivors in South Africa are launching a legal fight to overturn an indemnity law that shielded perpetrators, reopening a painful chapter of the anti-apartheid struggle. Public Health: South Africa marks World Rabies Day with a “Stronger Together” push, urging dog and cat vaccination, responsible pet ownership, and fast medical action after bites. City Services Reform: Germany and France pledge €300m to back South Africa’s Metro Trading Services Reform, aiming to improve electricity, water, sanitation and waste performance in metros serving 22m people. Climate Risk: South Africa’s weather service warns El Niño will bring below-normal summer rainfall and heat stress, raising risks for crops, livestock and irrigation. Digital Infrastructure for AI: WIOCC secures $300m from AFC and Vision Invest to expand Africa’s open-access fibre, data centres and subsea connectivity, while MTN partners to build “AI-ready” infrastructure across Africa. Elections & Tech: Nigeria’s INEC warns AI-driven disinformation could undermine 2027 polls and plans audits and a mock election. Migration Tensions: Thousands protest in Spain over the Ceuta migrant crisis, with many still stranded a month after the July surge. Fintech Misinformation: OPay sues over viral claims it will shut down in Nigeria, citing fake news and involving security agencies. Sports & Youth: Nigeria wins 35 medals at the Africa Zone 2 Swimming Championships, boosting momentum toward the Dakar Youth Olympics.

Distributed Solar Finance: Odyssey Energy Solutions raised $74m (equity + debt) to scale distributed renewable energy across Africa and beyond, linking thousands of installers to project capital. Digital Money Leadership: MTN Nigeria’s MoMo Payment Service Bank appointed Bode Abifarin as CEO, aiming to deepen secure mobile financial services and inclusion. Credit for the Diaspora: Paymentology partnered with Maxim to launch a UK credit card programme for Africans facing “credit invisibility,” using modern issuer processing. AI Devices in Africa’s Orbit: HONOR used LEAP 2026 to unveil its Robot Phone and push its “Dare to Be” AI device ecosystem strategy. Agriculture Mechanisation: Chinese firm Zoomlion seeks deeper Mozambique foothold with agricultural machinery and local partnerships at FACIM. Horn of Africa Risk: A strengthening El Niño threatens drought and flooding as Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea crises strain humanitarian capacity. Cybersecurity Push: GISEC Global 2026 in Dubai spotlights AI-driven cyber defence and faster, smarter attacks. Youth, Tech, Jobs: A new plan targets integrating one million African young adults by 2040, reframing youth growth as an economic asset. Urban Safety & Governance: Cape Town expands bodycam use as it leans harder on technology to fight crime. Sports & Identity: South Sudan’s “Bright Stars” celebrate Tunisia qualifier wins as they edge toward the 2027 FIBA World Cup.

Energy & Industry: Zimbabwe’s mineral push at Africa Down Under hinges on reliable power—solar, hydro, storage and hybrid systems are key to turning deposits into beneficiation and jobs. Digital Divide: Nigeria is planning a 90,000 km optic fibre network to expand broadband to underserved areas, starting implementation in October. AI & Media: South African publishers face a tough choice as only a small share block AI crawlers, raising fears that smaller outlets will lose traffic and control. Supply Chains & Skills: South Africa’s logistics reforms are not just ports and rail—human capability, automation and new operational skills will decide whether freight actually improves. Health & Policy: The Sahrawi Republic joins an Africa CDC workshop on public health emergency response, focusing on surveillance, labs and information sharing. Traditional Medicine: Lagos calls for stronger research, regulation and scientific scrutiny so indigenous medicine can better support universal health coverage. Culture & Global Reach: Nigeria’s CBAAC DG Aisha Adamu Augie lands a Yale fellowship, boosting Africa’s heritage preservation networks worldwide. Sports & Society: Airlink defends a dramatic low flyover over Cape Town’s packed stadium ahead of the All Blacks vs Springboks Test.

Agribusiness Finance: FMO and TDB Group helped expand a sustainability-linked syndicated loan for ETC Group to $600m, backing working capital and agricultural value chains across Africa. Health Governance: WHO’s regional committee in Addis Ababa will push for better clinical research, pharma manufacturing and—crucially—health and genomic data rules so countries can govern and benefit from data. Scaling What Works in Farming: A call for social franchising argues Africa’s best farm innovations are stuck in pilots and need delivery systems that reach millions of smallholders. Elections Integrity: South Africa’s IEC rejected ANC claims of a nomination-system glitch, saying the online candidate system worked until the deadline and no extra time would be granted. Security & Diplomacy: A report says Sudan’s RSF met Israeli officials during the war, pointing to a deeper security and intelligence relationship. Football & National Pride: Pitso Mosimane was appointed Bafana Bafana head coach ahead of AFCON qualifiers. Youth Climate Funding: Nairobi was selected for the Youth Climate Action Fund, with grants up to Ksh647,250 for 15–24-year-olds. Cyber Safety for SMEs: Kaspersky warns small businesses in Nigeria are facing the same attack methods as big firms, with sharp rises in password-stealer and spyware threats. Digital Transformation: Almosafer plans to migrate ERP systems to RISE with SAP on AWS to unify data and boost AI-ready travel operations. Education Timing: Ghana’s education ministry rescheduled CSSPS SHS results to Sept 4 after delays in uploading student choices. Responsible Mining Inclusion: SADC artisanal mining groups urged all-gender inclusivity to strengthen women’s access to critical mineral value chains.

China-Egypt Diplomacy: Xi Jinping published a signed article in Egyptian media ahead of a state visit, framing a “new journey” for the China–Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership. Workforce & Youth Skills: Togo’s KDA-Pro, backed by BOAD, honoured young people after six months of mentoring to build workplace confidence, branding and professional skills. Digital Jobs & Culture: Yango Cameroon was certified a Great Place to Work for 2026, citing strong employee collaboration and customer focus as it expands in Central Africa’s digital economy. Health Tech Access: Uganda’s on-site team assembled a low-field portable MRI with Nigerian expertise, aiming to bring brain imaging to places with little or no MRI access. Traditional Medicine Push: WHO marked African Traditional Medicine Day urging research, regulation and innovation to support universal health coverage. Gender-Based Violence Systems: South Africa launched a Femicide Review Pilot, with Minister Maropene Ramokgopa calling for evidence-based action beyond mourning. Energy for Communities: Nigeria’s All On and Energise Africa plan $4m solar mini-grids for 19 communities in Bauchi and Jigawa, targeting 100,000 people. Regional Politics: ECOWAS’s new chief pledged renewed engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, saying geography and security make unity unavoidable.