AGP Executive Report

BRICS Tech & Safety: South Africa’s Ramaphosa urged BRICS to set up an independent scientific review mechanism for AI, warning capabilities must not outpace human control, with calls for safeguards like mandatory reporting and human governance. South Africa–India Trade Push: Ramaphosa also backed a “new era” in SA–India economic ties at a BRICS-linked roundtable, pointing to renewables, green hydrogen, critical minerals, infrastructure and digital innovation. Kenya Health Update: Novo Nordisk launched Ozempic and Wegovy in Kenya to expand treatment options for type 2 diabetes and obesity, stressing proper medical assessment. Kenya Finance Regulation: The Central Bank of Kenya proposed a framework to identify and supervise systemically important banks, with extra capital and tighter oversight. Kenya Capital Markets: The Nairobi Securities Exchange is exploring a secondary vehicle to help private equity and development finance investors exit stakes. Libya Drug Seizure: Authorities seized tens of thousands of ecstasy pills stamped with Muammar Gaddafi’s face, highlighting Libya’s role as a drug transit hub. South Africa Crime: Police arrested five suspects, including two women, over the kidnapping and rape of an e-hailing driver in Cape Town. Culture & Fashion: Kenya hosted a China-Africa costume exhibition featuring the century-old mamianqun skirt, linking Chinese heritage with African fashion. Sports: Egypt’s U20 handball team won Africa’s junior title, beating Tunisia 31-29, while rugby and cricket coaching futures stayed in focus.

BRICS Summit Watch: BRICS leaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration, pushing for multilateralism reform and opposing forced Gaza displacement, while also spotlighting trade barriers and people-to-people ties. Health & Security: Experts say a BRICS early-warning system for mass infectious diseases could help Africa close gaps in surveillance, research, diagnostics and vaccine production; separately, Egypt is moving toward Ebola vaccine clinical trials with CEPI support. Regional Trade: Zimbabwe’s exports to COMESA rose to US$222m (+10.4%), as Harare prepares to host the bloc’s summit and a business forum to deepen regional value chains. Skills & Jobs: Zimbabwe is registering 65,455 returnees from South Africa in a skills audit to match talent with local opportunities and reintegration support. Tech & Youth: Pakistan’s SADC chamber urges firms to tap African markets; Nigeria’s animation gets a boost via a Japan-Africa co-production mentorship model. Sports: South Africa sealed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 with a 43-28 win over New Zealand in Baltimore.

BRICS Summit 2026: Leaders gathered in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS summit, with India pushing a “Delhi Declaration” calling for equal participation for the Global South in future technologies and rule-making, and warning against unilateral tariffs that clash with WTO norms. Diplomacy & Reform: Russian President Vladimir Putin urged UN Security Council expansion to better represent Asia, Africa and Latin America, while also calling for IMF, World Bank and WTO reforms and tighter BRICS coordination. South Africa–India Ties: Cyril Ramaphosa said India is becoming an increasingly important partner for South Africa as digital technologies reshape industry, citing major Indian investment and jobs. Nile Politics: Egypt framed Nile water security as a national security issue, expanding beyond the GERD dispute into diplomacy and partnerships to build international support. Xenophobia Fallout (South Africa–Nigeria): Nigeria condemned the killing of two Nigerians in South Africa, including a death linked to alleged “gruesome interrogation techniques,” and demanded transparent investigations and accountability. Digital Infrastructure (Nigeria): NITDA urged investors to back Nigeria’s data centres, cloud and AI compute, stressing policy clarity and regulatory certainty to reduce investment risk. Sports & Culture: Danny Jordaan was re-elected SAFA president, while World Rugby eyes more big fixtures in the US as South Africa and New Zealand prepare for the series finale in Baltimore.

Digital Transformation Push (Zimbabwe): Vice President Constantino Chiwenga says Zimbabwe wants to move from consuming tech to creating and exporting digital solutions, inviting Chinese partners for broadband, fibre, data centres and cloud. Skills & Jobs Pipeline (Zimbabwe): Africa Skills Week 2026 (Oct 12–16, Harare) is set to connect youth, innovators and investors around skills governance and industrial transformation. Health Emergency (DRC): Africa CDC warns Ebola is spreading beyond Ituri into North Kivu and Haut-Uele, with new provinces now reporting cases. Trade & Value Addition (Gabon): Gabon updates its AfCFTA roadmap to help SMEs and young entrepreneurs expand intra-African trade. Cross-Border Finance (AU/ATAF): The AU and ATAF plan tighter tax cooperation to curb illicit financial flows and cross-border evasion. Clean Energy at Home (Kenya): Cleaner induction cooking is gaining ground as households chase lower costs and safer cooking. Tech & Data Centres (Egypt): Cassava, Vodafone Business and Elsewedy back Africa Data Centres Egypt, targeting a sovereign AI data centre powered by Nvidia GPUs. Regional Security Tensions (South Africa/Nigeria): Femi Fani-Kayode condemns reported killings of Nigerians in Johannesburg, warning of consequences if attacks continue. E-commerce Logistics (South Africa): Clicks moves toward a 100% electric retail distribution fleet, backed by solar and charging infrastructure. BRICS Business Focus: Ramaphosa urges BRICS to avoid a raw-material trap and back manufacturing, beneficiation and industrial technology. Urban Futures (South Africa): An urbanism discussion argues cities aren’t “broken” but built wrong, calling for better design and spatial justice.

Youth Leadership: Tanzania kicks off a two-week Tanzania NextGen Leaders Fellowship for 100 young fellows, pushing them to move from “voice” to real action. Economic Diplomacy: Tanzania and South Korea agree to speed up a $2.5bn cooperation push across transport, tech, manufacturing, culture and health. BRICS in Focus: India hosts the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi with a theme of resilience, innovation and sustainability, as leaders and business groups line up deals and partnerships. Payments & Fintech: Kenya’s WapiPay links with Jamaica’s JN Money to expand Africa–Caribbean remittances, aiming for faster, cheaper transfers. Water Crisis: South Africa’s municipal water debt threatens service delivery; a SAHRC webinar calls for a whole-of-society, rights-based fix. Tax Justice: African states press at the UN for a fairer global tax system so multinationals can’t shift profits to tax havens. Mining & Power: ABB, HIMOINSA and ACTOM highlight electrification and mining decarbonisation solutions at Electra Mining Africa. Sports & Youth: Senegal confirmed to host the first-ever Youth Olympic Games on African soil in Dakar, starting 31 October 2026.

Zimbabwe–South Africa Cricket: Josephine Nkomo returns to lead Zimbabwe in a five-match home T20I series starting Sept 11, with Sharne Mayers also back after injury and absence. Digital Payments & Wallets: Mastercard rolls out “Wallet Pay” to help digital wallets work together across QR, NFC and online payments, partnering with major wallet providers including MTN and Alipay+. Nigeria Energy Modernisation: NNPC Retail will deploy 50–70 smart self-service stations nationwide, adding EV charging and turning fuel stops into “energy hubs.” Food & Livestock Policy: Nigeria moves to end uncontrolled livestock slaughter, pushing modern abattoirs, feedlots and standards to support export-ready meat. Climate Resilience: With El Niño forming, Southern Africa’s farmers are urged to use preparedness, early warnings and climate-smart practices to manage drought risk. Cybersecurity: Indonesia is seeing Android banking malware that clones apps using Work Profile tricks to evade protections. Africa on the Map: The UN backs Togo-led “Correct the Map” push, aiming to reshape how Africa’s size is shown in schools and media. Urban Governance: South Africa’s municipal decay is highlighted by poor audits and major water and electricity losses, pointing to deeper local government dysfunction.

Robotics for inclusion: Kenyan start-up ZeroBionic is building robotic sign-language tools to help deaf learners access science and technical subjects in classrooms. Cybersecurity: Check Point reports a 22% year-on-year rise in cyber attacks in August, with African organisations hit above global averages and ransomware/phishing plus GenAI data exposure driving risk. Health manufacturing: Nigeria’s Health Textiles Nigeria begins producing next-generation dual-active mosquito nets, targeting 10 million nets a year to strengthen malaria prevention. Cartography and identity: The UN General Assembly adopts a Togo-led, AU-backed resolution to use equal-area map projections in schools, media and digital platforms. AI for malaria: Kenyan researchers will deploy VectorCam, using smartphones and AI to identify mosquito species and improve surveillance. Digital infrastructure: Kenya’s AMACO adds GE Vernova turbines to its Mombasa LNG-powered AI data-centre plan. South Africa healthcare costs: A proposal would make medical scheme membership compulsory for higher-income earners to broaden the risk pool and cut costs. Youth and skills: South Africa pushes TVET applications for 2027, urging students not to wait until January. Regional politics: Nigeria’s SDP and ADC pledge peaceful, issue-based, credible 2027 elections. EV shift: Imports of Chinese electric motorcycles and three-wheelers surge in Africa’s north, while East/Central investment focuses on local ecosystems and assembly.

Youth Migration & Jobs: A Nairobi-based finance partner warns Africa’s weak economy can’t absorb young jobseekers, pushing many toward the US and Europe where tech and medical skills are in demand. Digital Skills for Work: Nigeria’s TechRise DTI trains youths on AI and practical digital skills, arguing the future rewards people who pair human know-how with AI tools. Sovereign AI Push in Lagos: LASG and tech experts urge foreign firms to build in Nigeria—data centres, engineering operations and training pipelines—so Lagos becomes a launchpad for global innovation. Agriculture Extension Boost: TAAT and partners train 100 extension master trainers in Jigawa to scale productivity technologies directly to farmers. Energy & Industry: Dangote plans a 1,000MW LNG power plant in Kenya for its Lamu refinery, aiming to stabilize supply and cut reliance on intermittent power. Climate Action to Implementation: Nigeria hosts plans for the Africa Sustainability Forum in Lagos, shifting sustainability talk toward measurable “just transitions” and green growth. Cybersecurity Watch: Check Point flags rising cyberattacks and warns generative AI is increasing data-leak risks. Pan-African Youth & Debt: A youth op-ed in Accra renews calls for debt reset and reparations as part of liberation and justice. Education Through Sport: Egypt opens the 12th African University Games in Cairo, betting on sport to build youth ties across the continent.

UN Map Update: The UN backs “Equal Earth” maps that show Africa’s true relative size, a shift that could change how travellers plan routes and distances. AfCFTA Trade Push: Kenya and other countries are accelerating harmonised standards to cut technical barriers and speed intra-African trade. West Africa Integration: Sierra Leone will host the West Africa Integration and Investment Summit in November to turn regional deals into investment transactions. ECOWAS Single Currency: ECOWAS urges fast-tracking work toward the ECO, aiming for a July 2027 launch. Energy for AI: A new push argues nuclear power could help meet Africa’s electricity needs as AI data centres expand. Solar Manufacturing: Ember reports Africa’s solar panel manufacturing capacity could quadruple this year as new plants come online in Egypt and Tanzania. Dangote Refinery IPO: Dangote Petroleum cuts debt by $570m ahead of its major IPO, with the share sale potentially expanding based on demand. Youth & Digital Safety: Ghana’s youth days in Accra saw calls for responsible online use to curb misinformation and protect peace. South Africa Football Politics: Former Orlando Pirates striker Thulasizwe Mbuyane enters local government politics as a councillor candidate. Tech & Finance: Moniepoint appoints its founder to chair a pan-African AI startup programme investing up to $200,000 per startup.

UN Map Push: India backed a UN move for equal-area maps that preserve Africa’s true relative sizes, while stressing it doesn’t endorse any private map—another step in the “correct the map” fight. Digital Finance: Kenya’s new stablecoin rules tighten Central Bank control over foreign dollar-linked tokens via licensed local providers, with knock-on effects for cross-border payments across East Africa. Energy & Food Security: Africa’s climate negotiators are urging stronger climate finance, adaptation and food systems outcomes at COP31, warning ambition still isn’t reaching farmers. Public Health & Safety: Nigeria’s aviation authority joins a UN/ICAO/UNEP mission to replace PFAS “forever chemicals” firefighting foams with safer fluorine-free alternatives. AI & Sovereignty: HPE South Africa argues South Africa must treat sovereign AI as a strategic economic priority—controlling infrastructure, data, skills and rules. Sports: Nigeria named Augustine Eguavoen interim coach of the Super Falcons for Olympic qualifiers vs Comoros.

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.