AGP Executive Report

Civil Service Reform: Kenya’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission is pushing a hard pivot from pay levels to results, launching a three-day National Productivity and Performance Conference in Nairobi (June 17–19) expected to be chaired by President William Ruto, with awards for top-performing institutions—after admitting the 35% wage-bill cap under the Public Finance Management Act has still not been reached. Climate Finance Push: In Brazzaville, Congo Basin donors gathered to mobilize $5.32bn for 63 climate and ecosystem projects under the Blue Fund. Gabon Industry Move: CIMAF says it will invest over $45m to expand cement and clinker capacity in Owendo, ahead of Gabon’s planned clinker import ban from January 2027. Health Alert: WHO warns Ebola in the DRC is spreading rapidly, with insecurity and access problems complicating the response. Trade Watch: Senegal’s mango exporters face bans over non-compliance as the export season gears up.

Shadow Fleet Scrutiny: A new report says Russia’s “shadow fleet” has been using African flags as a sanctions loophole, exploiting weak maritime registries and turning them into a money-making machine—at one point generating €713m ($827m) per day—while also linking the same network to hybrid pressure on NATO via cable cuts and drone activity. Gabon Cement Push: CIMAF is set to invest over US$45m to expand its Owendo plant near Libreville, adding a third production line and more clinker capacity ahead of Gabon’s planned clinker import ban from January 2027. Ghana Education Drive: Merck Foundation, with Ghana’s First Lady Lordina Mahama, launched the “Educating Linda” programme, including scholarships for 40 underprivileged girls and added healthcare capacity. Cameroon Debt Watch: Cameroon plans heavy borrowing through 2028 despite debt concerns, with financing needs projected to reach CFA7.689 trillion. Public Health Alert: WHO warns Ebola in the DRC is spreading rapidly, with insecurity and access limits making the situation “very worrying.”

Girl Education & Health Capacity: Merck Foundation and Ghana’s First Lady Lordina Dramani Mahama officially launched the “Educating Linda” scholarships program in Ghana, backing 40 high-performing underprivileged girls to finish school, alongside broader healthcare capacity support. Maritime Security: Obangame Express (OE26) tested West and Central Africa’s readiness against piracy, illegal fishing and trafficking, with 30+ nations participating and the three-week exercise ending May 1. Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO warns the latest Ebola situation in the eastern DRC is spreading rapidly, with insecurity and hard-to-reach areas complicating response and border controls tightening. AI Adoption (Togo): Microsoft reports Togo’s generative AI use rose to 10.1% in Q1 2026, placing it in Africa’s mid-tier as smartphone and mobile internet access expand. AFCON Qualifiers Context: Over the past week, the 2027 AFCON qualifying draw set paths for teams including Nigeria and Ghana, with fixtures now confirmed.

Regional Business & Women’s Empowerment: A Douala economic conference on female entrepreneurship pushed partnerships to plug women-led firms into AfCFTA regional value chains, with chambers and investors co-chairing talks on financing and South-South cooperation. Human Rights: Senegal’s new law expands criminal penalties tied to gay sex and advocacy, drawing fresh alarm that the country is sliding away from its earlier “democratic beacon” image. Sports: The 2027 AFCON qualifying draw is out, with Cameroon handed a “tricky” path and hosts Kenya set to qualify from its pool while other groups fight for the remaining spots. Environment & Food Security: Former Gabon environment minister Lee White argues the Congo Basin should be treated like critical infrastructure, while a new Central Africa study links rising wild meat demand to urban growth and warns of extinction pressure. Health & Livestock: Cameroon’s CDENO launched a mass cattle vaccination push targeting 160,000 head to curb disease outbreaks. Culture: At Cannes, Cristian Mungiu won a second Palme d’Or for Fjord, while other prizes went to Minotaur and more.

Africa Day Focus: The AU is pushing Water Sustainability as Africa Day 2026’s theme, but the reality is grim: billions face water insecurity, with conflict, pollution and weak management keeping shortages entrenched. Gabon Industry Push: CIMAF is investing $45m to expand cement and clinker production at Owendo—timed for a 2027 clinker import ban. CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns finally cleared Morocco landing paperwork after a permit delay, with the return leg vs AS FAR set for Sunday. Digital Skills: UMaT in Ghana says it will train 1,000 coders this year, backed by laptops and certification slots. Microinsurance Growth: Samb’a Assurances launches in Cameroon with low-cost microinsurance via mobile money and community channels. US Trade Relief: AGOA is extended to end-2026, bringing back duty-free access for countries including Gabon. Health Alert: A fast-moving Ebola situation in eastern DRC is described as especially worrying due to limited tools.

Gabon’s Cement Push: CIMAF says it will invest $45m to expand its Owendo plant near Libreville, adding a third production line and boosting clinker capacity as Gabon moves toward banning clinker imports from Jan 2027. CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns finally cleared Morocco landing paperwork after a scramble via Libreville, leaving them little time to reset before Sunday’s return leg vs AS FAR with a 1-0 aggregate lead. Digital Skills Drive: Ghana’s UMaT says it will train 1,000 coders this year, backed by 200 donated laptops and Google certification slots, plus drone and waste-plastic projects. US–Africa Trade: AGOA is formally extended to end-2026, with Gabon reinstated as a beneficiary after governance progress. Security & Shipping: Iran tightened Strait of Hormuz transit rules under a new authority, raising fresh concerns for global and Africa-linked tankers.

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns finally got their Morocco landing permit after a chaotic travel scramble, including a detour via Libreville, and now head into Sunday’s decisive second leg against AS FAR Rabat holding a 1-0 aggregate lead—goalkeeper Denis Onyango says the hiccup won’t shake their focus. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: The full CAF draw is out, with Kenya and South Africa set for a Group D showdown and Nigeria placed in Group L with Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau—no easy routes, and CAF windows are already mapped across 2026–2027. Middle East Trade Pressure: Iran’s new Strait of Hormuz transit rules tighten control and require prior authorization, raising fresh shipping and energy-market jitters that can ripple to African-linked vessels. Gabon Business: BW Energy approved growth plans—FID for Bourdon in Gabon and Golfinho in Brazil—targeting production above 100,000 boe/d by 2028. Wildlife & Food: A new Central Africa study links rising wild meat demand to urban growth, warning 31% of wild species are at risk.

Gulf Tensions: Iran has tightened control of the Strait of Hormuz with new transit rules under a new Persian Gulf Strait Authority, requiring shipping firms to seek authorization and submit extensive details—reports say some vessels have already paid up to $2m per transit—raising fresh pressure on global shipping and energy flows that can ripple to Africa-linked tankers. AFCON 2027: CAF has confirmed the full 2027 qualifiers schedule and fixtures, with groups now set for the long run to the finals. Football Logistics: South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns finally cleared a landing permit and left for Morocco for the CAF Champions League final second leg against AS FAR, after a delay tied to Rabat clearance. Gabon Business: Samb’a Assurances launched Cameroon’s first microinsurance-dedicated company, targeting low-income customers via mobile money and microfinance channels. Health & Wildlife: A new Central Africa study flags rising wild-meat consumption and higher extinction risk, while an Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is described as especially worrying due to limited tools. Energy Watch: BW Energy backed growth plans with final investment decisions for offshore projects in Gabon and Brazil.

AFCON 2027 Focus: Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn into Group L with Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and former defender Ifeanyi Udeze is warning against complacency after a shaky 2026 World Cup qualifying run. Local Sports Logistics: In South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns finally cleared a Morocco landing permit after a last-minute scramble, setting up Sunday’s CAF Champions League final return leg with a 1-0 aggregate edge over AS FAR. Trade & Jobs: The US has formally extended AGOA duty-free access to end-2026, bringing relief to exporters across Africa, including Gabon’s reinstatement. Regional Diplomacy: The AU is wrestling with Sudan’s “anti-coup” stance versus practical diplomacy, with Egypt pushing a step-by-step approach while membership remains suspended. Gabon Business: Samb’a Assurances is entering Cameroon’s microinsurance market with low-cost plans aimed at people largely outside traditional coverage.

Hybrid Warfare Alert: ACLED warns Russia’s “shadow fleet” is increasingly tied to hybrid attacks on NATO—cable cutting and drone activity in the Baltic and North Seas—while Moscow may now protect these vessels with more military assets, raising the risk of sabotage and intimidation. Gabon Trade Boost: The US has formally implemented an AGOA extension through end-2026, restoring duty-free access for exporters and bringing Gabon back as a beneficiary after earlier removal. Oil Investment: BW Energy approved final investment decisions for Gabon’s Bourdon and Brazil’s Golfinho growth push, targeting 100,000+ boe/d by 2028. Football Focus: CAF’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers draw is out—Nigeria land in Group L with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau; Kenya’s Benni McCarthy faces South Africa in Group D. Health Watch: MSF says a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is “very worrying,” with limited tools and no vaccines for the strain.

AGOA Relief: The US has formally implemented an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act through end-2026, restoring duty-free access for exporters across dozens of African countries after a brief lapse in late 2025; Gabon is back on the beneficiary list after progress on governance and eligibility, reversing its 2023 removal. Regional Security: Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta joined African leaders in Libreville for an AU peace retreat focused on ceasefires, national dialogue and reconciliation. Sports—AFCON 2027: CAF has released the full qualifiers draw: Nigeria are in Group L with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau, while Kenya face South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea in Group D. CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns finally cleared a landing permit and left for Morocco ahead of Sunday’s return leg against AS FAR, holding a 1-0 aggregate lead.

AGOA Relief: The US has formally extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act duty-free access to the end of 2026, restoring benefits for countries including Gabon after a brief lapse—good news for exporters, but the longer-term future still hangs over trade plans. CAF Focus: Football’s calendar is heating up: CAF confirmed the full 2027 AFCON qualifiers draw, with Nigeria placed in Group L against Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau, while South Africa face Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea. Gabon in the Spotlight: ReconAfrica filed its first-quarter update and says Kavango West 1X testing is on track, while BW Energy pushed ahead with major offshore investment decisions tied to Gabon and Brazil growth targets. Sports Travel Drama: Mamelodi Sundowns finally secured a Morocco landing permit after a near-miss, clearing the way for Sunday’s CAF Champions League second-leg final against AS FAR. Human Rights & Security: Nigeria police say they dismantled a trafficking ring in Nasarawa, rescuing 30 Malian nationals.

Oil & Gas: BW Energy has taken final investment decisions on offshore projects in Gabon and Brazil, sanctioning the Bourdon development and new infill wells at Golfinho, with combined 2P reserves of 68 mmboe and a push to lift net production to above 100,000 boe/d by 2028. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: CAF has confirmed the full 2027 AFCON qualifying draw and fixtures, with Nigeria in Group L against Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau, while Kenya land in Group D with South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea; hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are already in the finals but still play qualifiers under CAF rules. Ebola Watch: A fast-moving Ebola outbreak in DRC’s Ituri is described as “very worrying” due to a strain with no vaccines or treatments, with MSF urging early detection, contact tracing and safe burials. Sports—Kenya & Commonwealth Games: Kenya finished second overall at the Accra continental championships with 17 medals and is now shifting focus to the Commonwealth Games, after standout field and middle-distance performances. Iran Sanctions: The U.S. expanded sanctions on Iran’s shadow banking and shipping networks, targeting more companies and 19 tankers as negotiations and pressure continue.

AFCON 2027 Draw: Nigeria’s Super Eagles learned their fate in Cairo, landing in Group L with Madagascar, co-host Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau—an especially tricky setup because only one team can qualify from host-containing groups. CAF Football: CAF also released the full 2027 AFCON qualifiers fixture plan, setting up a busy campaign across three FIFA windows. Ebola Alert: A fresh Ebola outbreak in DRC’s Ituri is being flagged as “very worrying,” with a strain that has no vaccines or treatments and cases rising fast—MSF says the focus must stay on early detection, tracing, and safe burials. Champions League Travel: Mamelodi Sundowns finally departed for Morocco after a landing-permit delay, leaving them little time to prepare for the return leg against AS FAR. US-Iran Pressure: The US expanded sanctions on Iran, adding more tankers and new targets tied to Iran’s shadow shipping and financial networks. Human Trafficking Crackdown: Nigeria’s police rescued 30 Malian nationals in Nasarawa and arrested 13 suspects linked to a trafficking syndicate.

Iran Sanctions Escalate: The U.S. Treasury has rolled out fresh “Economic Fury” sanctions, adding more than 50 new targets and blocking 19 more Iranian-linked tankers and their operators, as Donald Trump says he is delaying a new round of attacks while talks continue. Maritime Pressure: U.S. officials say dozens of commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz standoff, with reports pointing to Iranian tankers anchored at Kharg Island used for storage. AFCON 2027 Draw: In Cairo, CAF set the qualifying groups for the Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania tournament: Nigeria land in Group L with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau; Ghana face Ivory Coast in Group C; South Africa take on Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea in Group D. Police Crackdown: Nigeria’s police say they rescued 30 Malian nationals and arrested 13 suspects after dismantling a trafficking syndicate operating around the FCT and Nasarawa. Animal Rights: Spain passed the Jane Goodall Law, banning primate experiments and their use in commercial shows.

AFCON 2027 Draw in Cairo: Ghana and Ivory Coast landed together in Group C as CAF confirmed all qualifying groups for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Nigeria’s Roadmap: The Super Eagles were placed in Group L with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, while only one spot is up for grabs in host-containing groups. Zambia’s Group: Chipolopolo were drawn in Group I against Algeria, Togo and Burundi. Sports Momentum: At the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, South Africa topped the medal table, with Kenya second after standout wins including women’s 3,000m steeplechase and the men’s javelin. Security Crackdown: Nigeria Police say they dismantled a trafficking syndicate and rescued 30 Malian nationals in Nasarawa, arresting 13 suspects. Health Alert: WHO declared an international public health emergency over a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda.