AGP Executive Report

Nigeria 2027 Election Prep: INEC says it will deploy about 1.4m ad-hoc staff across 176,000 polling units and use ABIS under CVR to clean the voter register, as it warns of security risks, hate speech, vote-buying and disinformation. National Peace Accord: Presidential candidates and party leaders signed Nigeria’s first National Peace Accord in Abuja, but Omoyele Sowore dismissed it as a “ritual,” pointing to violence in Osun despite similar signings. Osun Election Fallout: Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke denied any deal with the ADC after claims of collaboration; Davido also refused to apologise over posts about INEC during the poll. Capital Markets: Dangote Petroleum Refinery completed a $1bn underwriting programme ahead of its IPO. East Africa Sports & Health: Tanzania’s FEASSA Games got a $90,000 EADB boost, while Addis Ababa hosts an East Africa health federations conference focused on local medicine production. Business & Mining: Hemas buys 75% of Kenya’s Twiga Stationers; Montage Africa secured a new exploration licence in Ebonyi for lead and zinc.

Arctic Trade Shift: China’s “Ice Silk Road” would reroute some cargo via the Arctic and Russia’s Northern Sea Route, potentially easing pressure on Red Sea chokepoints as regional conflict disrupts shipping. Zambia Election & Economy: Hakainde Hichilema wins a second term with about 60% of the vote, renewing investor hopes for copper-led growth after debt restructuring. Cybersecurity: Interpol warns Africa’s critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted by remote, sophisticated cybercrime, citing a ransomware claim against Uganda’s power transmission firm. Governance & Investment: Ghana’s new GIPA Act 2026 aims to modernise the investment framework, aligning rules with AfCFTA and pushing for sustainable, inclusive deals. Education & Trust: WAEC faces scrutiny over alleged WASSCE grading anomalies tied to expanded computer-based testing. Energy Access: Kenya’s grid expansion reaches remote villages, cutting daily solar costs and improving daily life. Sports & Society: Cameroon’s Lionesses win the 2026 WAFCON title, while Egypt’s women’s team exits early—highlighting uneven support for women’s football.

Regional Security & Diplomacy: At the SADC Summit in Durban, police arrested three people trying to breach security using fake or stolen accreditation, while Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that “peace without development is fragile” and called for preventative diplomacy and dialogue. Nigeria Politics & Violence: In Sokoto, Atiku urged the federal government to move beyond condolences after 32 people were killed, as Nigeria’s election season heats up. ECOWAS Tax Policy: ECOWAS met in Conakry to review tobacco excise rules amid new nicotine products and illicit trade, with WHO and the World Bank supporting. Peace Ahead of 2027: Abdulsalami Abubakar’s peace committee invited Omoyele Sowore and AAC leaders to sign a national peace accord ahead of campaigns. Trade & Governance: Questions are growing over MultiChoice’s N2bn-plus EFCC petition against Moreplex TV after references to another pay-TV firm raised concerns about how the case was framed. AfCFTA Scrutiny: Analysts warn that AfCFTA’s biggest customs digitisation concession—awarded to Nigeria’s Bergmans—may be a “gamble” given the firm’s limited public track record. Sports & Talent: FIFA reportedly cleared Zambia’s Lameck Banda to play for Libya’s Al Swehly despite a Lecce contract dispute, while Leganés is highlighted as a launchpad for African football stars.

Osun Election Fallout: Nigeria’s INEC declared Accord Party’s Ademola Adeleke re-elected governor after he polled 511,067 votes, beating APC’s Bola Oyebamiji (444,815) and ADC’s Najeem Salaam (17,180), with leaders urging peace and unity after a tense campaign. Electoral Integrity Push: Yiaga Africa and other groups flagged concerns around BVAS performance and vote-buying ahead of 2027, while opposition figures called for probes into violence and intimidation. DRC Connectivity Leap: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone commercial service in the DRC, letting compatible phones connect directly to satellites where coverage is weak. Ebola Emergency: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with deaths rising to 2,325 and confirmed cases climbing to 4,945. Anti-Corruption Recovery: Nigeria’s EFCC recovered $60m from Nestoil lenders, a step toward settling a long-running debt dispute. Energy and Security: Libya’s Zawiya power station was hit by an explosion, disrupting parts of the grid, while the AU rejected foreign interference in Sudan’s internal affairs. Governance and Transparency: Global EITI assessors praised Nigeria’s improved extractives disclosures, urging the country to lock in real-time transparency.

Zambian Elections Under Strain: Observers report intimidation, violence and abductions, with vote counting briefly suspended after attacks on polling staff and alleged ballot-paper theft, as President Hakainde Hichilema keeps a lead in the race for a second term. Osun Governorship Fallout: Nigeria’s Osun election ends with Ademola Adeleke winning re-election, but opposition groups and SERAP demand probes over alleged vote-buying, violence and a near four-hour halt in INEC’s IReV result uploads. Middle East Diplomacy: Muslim-majority foreign ministers condemn Israel’s reported rejection of Trump’s Gaza roadmap, warning it could derail efforts toward a ceasefire and Palestinian statehood. China-Africa Trade Push: Nigeria’s lawmakers say China’s zero-tariff expansion can boost Africa’s industrial shift—if countries build productive capacity to export more. Sahel Lithium and Conflict: Reporting highlights how lithium mining and smuggling are increasingly entangled with jihadist activity across Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and Nigeria. Connectivity and Industry: Uganda backs bamboo-based manufacturing to cut paper imports, while Airtel Africa expands Starlink mobile service in the DRC. Youth Jobs Trend: A new outlook projects services overtaking agriculture as the biggest employer of young Africans by 2033.

Zambia Election Watch: International observers say Zambia’s vote counting was marred by intimidation and abductions, after counting was briefly suspended amid violence and ballot-paper theft reports, with missions urging parties to cool inflammatory rhetoric. Nigeria Politics & Tax: Atiku Abubakar accuses Tinubu’s government of failing a US fiscal transparency test and “suffocating” Nigerians with excessive taxation, while debate over who benefits from reforms continues. Energy Security: A fresh attack on a UAE-linked oil vessel through the Strait of Hormuz raises fuel-supply risks for import-dependent African economies, adding to repeated incidents that could push up freight and insurance costs. Regional Power Build-Out: Niger signs off a $1.9bn, 100,000-bpd refinery plan to turn the country into a West African energy hub, with pipelines and storage included. Sports & Culture: Nigeria’s NSC creates a dedicated budget line for traditional sports, aiming for international recognition; Cameroon’s women’s team eyes a first WAFCON crown after a surprise run. Health: WHO warns DRC’s Ebola outbreak is set to become the deadliest on record as cases outpace contact tracing. Conflict & Minerals: A new look at Sahel lithium shows how armed groups exploit the mineral rush amid weak governance.

Osun Election Watch: Nigeria’s Osun governorship vote saw early, heavy turnout and mostly orderly voting, but Ejigbo violence and “Big Hammer” disruption fears kept tensions high; ADC candidate Najeem Salaam also complained of missing agent tags, while INEC began uploading results to IReV (402 of 3,763 polling units by mid-afternoon). Security in Borno: Operation Hadin Kai says amphibious troops repelled ISWAP assaults on a Borno forward base, killing attackers and recovering weapons. Ceuta Migration Crackdown: Morocco detained 111 people near Fnideq after fresh calls for another mass crossing into Spain’s Ceuta, as Spain and Morocco tightened patrols following the July surge that left dozens dead. DRC-Rwanda Peace Monitoring: The two countries agreed steps to strengthen verification of the Washington Accords, including a trilateral planning conference in October. Trade & Scrutiny: A US White House report flags Kenya as a potential transshipment risk for Chinese goods, raising the stakes for AGOA-linked exports. Energy Boost: Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project adds 2,115MW, widening surplus power for regional trade. Aviation & Business: Ibom Air prepares delivery of its third Airbus A220-300; Zambia Airways appoints Ethiopian executive Aman as CEO.

Kenya–China Security Tensions: A US defence report claims China may seek a military base in Kenya, but China rejects it as Cold War scare tactics, renewing debate over foreign troop footprints. Somalia Regional Trade Push: Somalia wrapped a Mogadishu workshop to craft a strategy for regional integration and trade corridors, focusing on ports, roads and border crossings to move goods and investment. Somalia–Galkayo Political Flashpoint: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Dhusamareb includes troop commissioning and consultations, while Puntland puts forces on alert over fears of renewed discord around Galkayo. Nigeria 2027 Court Battle: Atiku Abubakar personally deposed in Abuja, suing to bar President Tinubu from the 2027 race over alleged NYSC certificate forgery, asking the court to disqualify Tinubu and the APC. Osun Election Readiness: Yiaga Africa says preparations for Saturday’s Osun governorship vote are broadly on track but flags BVAS fingerprint/face recognition glitches and last-minute ballot reprints. Anti-Corruption Focus: Nigeria’s ICPC chief says anti-graft must shift from arrests to stronger integrity systems that protect investment and economic stability. Capital Markets Crackdown: Nigeria’s SEC orders capital market operators to freeze assets linked to designated terrorism financiers, while admitting blockchain into its regulatory incubation programme. Health Alert: Ghana reports most liver cancer cases are linked to chronic hepatitis B, urging earlier testing and treatment. DRC–Rwanda Peace Monitoring: DRC and Rwanda, with US and AU mediator Togo, agreed steps to strengthen monitoring of Washington Accords implementation, including a trilateral planning conference in October. Africa Tech Policy: Cameroon and Burundi experts call for bigger investment in digital infrastructure, skills and clearer regulation to unlock innovation and jobs. Sports & Culture: Kenya’s deputy president urges arts and sports to be embedded in education, while Malawi’s women’s team reaches the Wafcon final after beating Algeria 3–1.

Osun Election Watch: Nigeria’s INEC began distributing sensitive election materials across Osun’s 30 local government areas ahead of Saturday’s governorship vote, after ballot papers were reprinted following court changes. Political Pressure: President Tinubu urged INEC and security agencies to deliver a peaceful, transparent poll and protect voters and officials, while opposition figures and civil society groups warned against violence and misinformation. Legal Battles: Atiku Abubakar filed an affidavit challenging President Tinubu’s 2027 eligibility over alleged certificate forgery, and Atiku’s team also petitioned the EU over Tinubu’s alleged documents and a US civil forfeiture case. Anti-Terror Crackdown: Nigeria’s SEC ordered capital market operators to freeze assets of six individuals and three entities designated by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee for terrorism financing. Water Governance Tension: Lagos civil society group CAPPA warned against plans to concession parts of the state’s water infrastructure, citing transparency concerns. Trade & Growth: Nigeria secured zero-tariff access for wild seafood exports to China after signing inspection and quarantine protocols, while Nigeria-China trade rose sharply after China’s zero-tariff policy took effect. Regional Business: Kenya Reinsurance plans a $20m Tanzania entry, and eight countries will showcase products at the EAC trade fair in Mwanza. Sports & Youth: Malawi reached the Wafcon final after beating Nigeria, and Sierra Leone won the CAVB Men’s U18 beach volleyball title.

Osun Election Countdown: Nigeria’s Osun State governorship vote is set for Saturday, with court battles, defections and alleged violence shaping the Accord Party–APC–ADC showdown, while election monitors warn about security gaps, BVAS failures and vote-buying. Zimbabwe Succession Politics: Analysts dissect Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s “waiting game” as President Emmerson Mnangagwa keeps him in place, raising questions about succession and power routes. Zimbabwe Resource vs Democracy: A new analysis argues Zimbabwe’s mining boom is real, but political space is tightening as the state leans toward a resource-backed one-party model. Libya Oil Windfall: Libya reports $15.234bn oil earnings in six months, but production misses targets as IMF warns windfalls could worsen the country’s crisis. West Africa Women’s Power: ECOWAS stakeholders in Abuja push to strengthen women’s representation in political leadership after a regional declaration. AGOA Extension: Kenya and other exporters get duty-free US access extended to Dec 31, 2028, with the third-country fabric rule preserved. Jobs + AI: MTN launches an AI-powered job board across 11 markets to link skills training to real vacancies. Food Security Shock: A report links shipping disruptions to fertilizer price spikes and rising food costs across Africa. Uganda Tax Waivers: Uganda seeks Parliament approval for Shs27.78bn tax waivers for distressed Fresh Cuts Uganda and New Plan Uganda.

Elections Watch: Zambians went to the polls in presidential, parliamentary and local elections on Aug. 13, with President Hakainde Hichilema’s recovery push tested against stubborn cost-of-living pressure; results are expected Aug. 17. Health Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with WHO warning it could become the largest ever if not contained, as there are still no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain. Public Health & Climate: Cholera outbreaks are hitting six African countries, moving along shared rivers and trade routes as warmer, wetter conditions worsen water and sanitation. Nigeria Security & Law: Nigeria’s Presidential Working Group extended the deadline for submissions on the National Policing Bill to Aug. 21, aiming for broader stakeholder input. Digital Economy Readiness: Ghana’s digital growth is held back less by access and more by “readiness” gaps like unmanaged domains and unreliable hosting. Regional Connectivity: Kenya and Tanzania renewed efforts to link SGR lines with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to diversify funding and deepen trade routes. Culture & Youth: Togo’s Lomé Youth Book Fair returns Oct. 14–17 with 30 exhibitors and workshops to boost West African children’s publishing ties.

Zambia Election Watch: Polls opened for Zambia’s presidential vote as voters weigh Hakainde Hichilema’s economic reforms against high living costs and concerns over shrinking space for dissent. Ebola Emergency in DRC: WHO warns eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak could surpass the 2014–16 West Africa disaster, with thousands already infected and deaths mounting amid conflict and weak health access. Football Governance: CAF president Patrice Motsepe says FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s future should be decided by member associations at the March 2027 election, pushing back on calls for resignation. Education & Skills: Nigeria orders polytechnics to phase out non-technical programmes as it reshapes TVET toward industry-relevant, outcome-based training. Energy & Industry: UAE’s Global South Utilities inaugurates a 50MW solar-plus-storage plant in Central African Republic, boosting power capacity for hundreds of thousands of households. Deep-Sea Mining: Six African countries now back a precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining over gaps in science and governance. Tech & Work: Staffbase launches Middle East and Africa data hosting to help enterprises deploy locally hosted employee platforms.

Ghana Fintech Push: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George urged Ghanaian innovators to build homegrown fintechs that can compete across Africa and globally, backing the MoMo FinTech Lab as a bridge between universities, startups, investors and regulators. West Africa Media Freedom: MFWA demanded an end to arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detention of journalists and civil society actors in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea. Nigeria Election Security & Democracy: Ahead of Osun 2027, Atiku warned against militarising the poll and INEC “mysterious glitches,” while an AAC candidate in Abia said ASUU’s strike exposes a gap between government claims and lived realities. ECOWAS Climate Finance: ECOWAS moved to validate a regional carbon market platform to help close a $294bn climate-finance gap. Wildlife Warning: Nigeria’s elephant numbers were said to be at a critical point amid poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Hurricane Watch: Tropical Storm Cristobal formed in the Atlantic; forecasters also tracked Invest 92L and another wave off West Africa. IMF for Guinea: The IMF agreed a new $439m program to help Guinea turn mining resource wealth into broader growth.

US-Africa Trade: The U.S. Senate approved a two-year extension of AGOA, keeping duty-free access for 32 sub-Saharan countries through December 2028, a boost for exporters and consumer prices. Capital Markets: Kenya’s regulator cleared the Wallstreet Africa Banking ETF for listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, aiming to deepen local investment options as banking stocks rally. Kenya Politics & Governance: INEC closed the 2027 candidate submission portal after a short extension, with major parties reporting uploads ahead of the election timetable. Nigeria Elections & Security: Opposition voices intensified scrutiny over insecurity shutting schools in about 40 local areas, questioning the N144.86bn Safe Schools plan. Osun Gubernatorial Race: At a town hall, candidates clashed over records and jobs, with critics saying promises lacked clear roadmaps. Trade & Industry: Nigeria and Botswana moved to build a trade gateway into SADC, leveraging AfCFTA tariff concessions and pushing beyond tariffs to tackle non-tariff barriers. Regional Energy Markets: Nigeria’s petroleum regulator urged West Africa to shift from price-taking to regional price discovery via infrastructure, logistics and transparent benchmarks. Africa-Global Diplomacy: Liberia’s UN-backed push urged a shift from aid dependence toward measurable results and sustainable financing.

Elections & Governance in Nigeria: ADC leader Atiku Abubakar warned INEC’s BVAS runs on outdated Android 10, raising cybersecurity and reliability concerns ahead of 2027, while ADC also unveiled plans to scrap opaque “security votes” and tighten spending controls. Opposition Politics: Salihu Lukman said uniting Atiku and Peter Obi is still hard because both want the presidency, complicating a single front against the ruling APC. Ebola Response: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 2,000 deaths, with spread for months before detection, pushing calls for stronger village-level action via Africa CDC. Weather Watch: The Central Atlantic system has a 70% chance to become a tropical depression by week’s end, keeping hurricane monitoring high for coastal areas. Kenya Economy: The central bank held its benchmark rate at 8.75% as it balances fuel-driven inflation risks with a stable shilling. Ghana Maritime Security: Ghana is preparing to implement a new Maritime and Related Offences Bill to strengthen enforcement against maritime crimes. Tourism & Sports: Uganda Development Bank backed the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon, while Nigeria’s National Futsal Super League enters zonal phase in major cities.

Clean Energy & Minerals: Rwanda hosted the Africa Australia Clean Energy Conference, spotlighting clean power, climate innovation and critical minerals for a just transition. Fintech & Payments: Kenya-based Maplerad says it has processed over $500m as African firms look for cheaper, cross-border payment rails beyond fragmented banking. Gold Investment: Fortuna Mining bought Senegal’s Bambadji gold exploration project, aiming to expand its Diamba Sud gold footprint along the Senegal–Mali shear zone. Security Pact: Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed a Makkah framework where an attack on any member counts as an attack on all—raising the stakes around Iran-linked threats. Elections & Security: Nigeria’s Osun governorship vote is backed by 25,310 security personnel, while Atiku and ADC leaders intensify rallies ahead of Aug 15. Trade & Integration: Namibia and Uganda push stronger trade and investment ties, using AfCFTA to lift low bilateral volumes. Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique’s ShafDB received approval to issue green/social bonds to fund housing projects. Environment & Research: A Congo Basin science panel seeks funding to train 1,000 PhDs to protect the forest under pressure from logging, mining and slash-and-burn.