AGP Executive Report

Energy & Oil/Gas Policy: The African Energy Chamber (AEC) urged a shift from “energy subtraction” to “energy addition,” saying Africa’s energy poverty and electricity access gaps demand more exploration, production and investment. Regional Finance & Industrialization: AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah told leaders in Brazzaville that Africa must mobilize its own $4tn+ savings to fund structural transformation, backing a new direction to lower risk and attract long-term capital. Aviation Infrastructure: AfDB unveiled a $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Program to modernize fleets, upgrade airports and improve logistics—aimed at stronger connectivity for AfCFTA. Health & Ebola Response: WHO warned that blanket travel restrictions are disrupting Ebola response, while revising Congo’s figures to 116 suspected cases and 344 confirmed cases as of June 1. Biodiversity & Conservation: Angola’s Lisima plateau survey found eight new dragonfly species and dozens of other new insects and plants, highlighting ecosystems that feed the Congo and other major river basins. Congo Mobility Policy: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso announced visa-free access for all African citizens to the Republic of the Congo from Jan 1, 2027, to boost mobility and trade.

Ebola Response Update: WHO says Ebola travel bans are hurting response, while it revised Congo’s figures down to 116 suspected cases (from 1,000+ earlier), urging countries to use exit screening instead of blanket bans. Public Health on the Ground: Volunteers in eastern Congo keep feeding patients and health workers as the Bundibugyo strain spreads, with WHO reporting 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths in Congo as of June 1. Biodiversity & Conservation: An Angola expedition to the Lisima plateau recorded 1,000+ insect species and 320 plant samples, including eight new dragonfly species and fluorescent spiders—highlighting river systems that feed the Congo basin. Energy & Climate Risk: A report warns climate change is draining hydro-power generation, using Lake Kariba as a cautionary example for the wider region’s power security. Regional Mobility Policy: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso announced visa-free access for all African citizens to the Republic of the Congo from Jan 1, 2027, aiming to boost movement and trade. Trade & Industry Finance: AfDB governors in Brazzaville backed a new African-led financing model (Nafad) to mobilize domestic resources and cut donor dependence, with Malawi cited as a key beneficiary.

Ebola Response in Congo: Volunteers at a Bunia Ebola facility are keeping patients and health workers fed as the outbreak spreads, with WHO reporting 321 cases and 48 deaths across eastern provinces. Regional Energy Trade: Oman overtook Qatar to become India’s top LNG supplier in March after Gulf disruptions tied to the Iran war, with cargoes also reportedly coming from Congo and other African sources. Congo Mobility Policy: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso announced visa-free access for all African citizens to the Republic of the Congo from Jan. 1, 2027, aiming to boost movement, trade and integration. AfDB Financing Push: AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah backed a new African financial architecture to mobilize domestic resources and reduce donor dependence, including a $125m AfDB injection into ATIDI to crowd in private infrastructure investment. Industry & Tech (Robotics): Ouster and FieldAI teamed up to improve robot perception using Ouster’s Rev8 digital lidar for industrial autonomy in complex environments. Public Health Security: Iraq tightened livestock entry rules to curb CCHF spread, ordering border closures unless veterinary requirements are met.

Regional Integration Push: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso says all African citizens will get visa-free access to the Republic of the Congo from Jan 1, 2027, announced during AfDB annual meetings in Brazzaville, with investors, unions and civil society backing the move. Development Finance Overhaul: AfDB governors endorsed the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), aiming to cut donor dependence by mobilising African savings and strengthening regional risk-sharing; AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah also called for a more coordinated financial system to fund infrastructure and industrialisation. Trade & Investment Insurance: AfDB will inject $125m into ATIDI, making it the bank’s largest shareholder and boosting private investment in infrastructure and development. Power Access Tracking: AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker in Brazzaville, showing 5.2m electricity connections via active AfDB-supported projects and 74 active energy access projects, with $9bn approved for aligned operations. Industrial/Tech Signals: Ouster and FieldAI announced a collaboration using Ouster’s Rev8 color lidar to scale autonomous perception for industrial robotics.

AfDB Financing Push: African Development Bank President Sidi Ould Tah says Africa must unlock about $4tn in domestic savings and shift from fragmented public funding to coordinated regional risk-sharing to fund infrastructure and industrialisation. Trade & Investment Insurance: AfDB will inject $125m into ATIDI, making it the largest shareholder and aiming to pull in more private capital for development projects. Electricity Access Tracking: AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker in Brazzaville, showing 5.2m people connected via active Mission 300 projects, 74 active energy-access projects, and $9bn approved for aligned operations. Growth Outlook: The AfDB forecasts Africa’s GDP growth at 4.2% in 2026, with Central Africa rising to 3.8% on sustained oil prices. Local Business & Jobs Angle: UNICONGO’s Nancy Chenard argues extraction alone won’t deliver sustainable growth; Africa needs stronger private firms that can finance and expand across borders. Health Response Pressure: A U.S.-funded Ebola isolation facility in Kenya faces protests after a court temporarily blocked it over health-risk concerns.

AfDB Financing Push in Brazzaville: AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah says Africa must shift from fragmented public funding to coordinated regional risk-sharing, and he points to the bank’s push to mobilize domestic savings and crowd in private capital. ATIDI Capital Boost: AfDB will inject $125m into ATIDI, making it the largest shareholder and aiming to unlock more private investment for infrastructure and development. Electricity Access Tracking: AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker, a real-time platform showing connections, projects, and financing progress toward adding 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Growth Outlook for 2026: AfDB’s 2026 African Economic Outlook projects Africa growing 4.2% in 2026 (up from 4.4% in 2025) with Central Africa at 3.8%, supported by oil and reforms. Ebola Response in Congo: Congo widened Ebola testing in eastern provinces after hundreds of suspected cases and about 260 positive samples, with surveillance and diagnostics ramped up as the outbreak’s true scale remains uncertain. CCHF Border Controls in Iraq: Iraq tightened livestock entry and veterinary checks to curb Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, highlighting how disease control measures can disrupt regional trade and supply chains.

AfDB Annual Meetings (Brazzaville): AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah urged Africa to mobilise about $4tn in domestic savings to close a roughly $400bn annual development gap, pushing risk-sharing and stronger regional financial cooperation. Electricity Access: AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker, a real-time platform showing connections, projects, financing and coverage for the goal of adding 300 million people to electricity by 2030. Growth Outlook: AfDB forecasts Africa’s GDP growth at 4.2% in 2026 (up from 4.4% in 2025) with a rebound to 4.4% in 2027, citing recovery in extractives and resilient demand. Ebola Response (Congo): Congo widened Ebola testing in eastern provinces after hundreds of suspected cases and about 260 positive samples, with authorities expanding diagnostics and community screening. Livestock & Disease Control (Iraq): Wasit province ordered border closures for livestock unless veterinary requirements are met to curb CCHF spread, as Iraq reports rising cases and deaths.

AfDB Financing Push: AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah says Africa must mobilise about $4tn in domestic savings to close a roughly $400bn annual development gap, warning that regulatory barriers and risk concerns keep pension and institutional money on the sidelines; the bank is building risk-mitigation tools such as the African Trade and Development Fund to attract long-term capital. Ebola Response in Congo: Congo has widened Ebola testing across eastern provinces after lab results flagged around 260 positives, with suspected infections now over 1,000 and hundreds of deaths still under investigation, as health authorities expand diagnostics, tracing and community screening. Trade Finance Resilience: A new AfDB Trade Finance Report says unmet trade-finance demand fell nearly 10% from 2019–2024, crediting support from development finance institutions and multilateral lenders, while warning geopolitical tensions could reverse gains. Visa and Mobility Signal: Republic of Congo is set to waive visa requirements for all African travellers from 2027, a move framed as boosting regional mobility for tourism and trade. Energy/Industry Angle: Nigeria and AfDB signed steps toward a $7bn aviation transformation programme, aiming to modernise Africa’s aviation sector and unlock investment. Health Risk Beyond Borders: Africa CDC says partner funding for the emergency response has dropped sharply, while Congo reports over 1,000 suspected cases and Uganda confirms linked cases.

AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville: Africa’s growth is projected at 4.2% in 2026 (from 4.4% in 2025), with the bank urging faster domestic resource mobilisation and deeper capital-market integration to close the continent’s financing gap. Trade Finance Watch: The AfDB’s 2025 Trade Finance Report says unmet demand fell nearly 10% (2019–2024), but warns geopolitical tensions and supply-chain shocks could widen the trade finance gap again. Energy for Jobs: At the same meetings, leaders backed Mission 300 and a new push toward productive use of electricity, with Congo’s president stressing power is needed to boost agriculture and livestock. Congo Visa Move: Republic of Congo plans to scrap visa requirements for all African travellers from 2027, aiming to improve mobility and trade. Industrial Benchmark: The AfDB’s 2025 Industrialisation Index puts Morocco ahead of South Africa as Africa’s top industrial economy, citing export diversification and infrastructure. Health Funding Pressure: Africa CDC says partner commitments for an Ebola emergency response have dropped sharply, while Congo reports 1,077 suspected cases.

AfDB Annual Meetings, Brazzaville: Africa’s growth is forecast at 4.2% in 2026 (from 4.4% in 2025), with a rebound to 4.4% in 2027, as the African Economic Outlook warns that geopolitics, tighter finance, and supply-chain shocks are still biting. Energy for livelihoods: Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso backed AfDB’s push to turn electricity access into economic opportunity under Mission 300, while leaders also flagged a new Centre of Excellence for productive use of energy. Aviation push: Nigeria’s Festus Keyamo signed an AfDB Letter of Intent for the $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme, highlighting reforms and the new Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company to cut aircraft costs and improve service reliability. Private investment roadmap: AfDB and the World Economic Forum launched the HRI Roadmap for Africa to mobilise private capital into fragile economies, with pilots already running in Liberia, Somalia, Mozambique and Djibouti. SME finance spotlight: Co-operative Bank of Kenya was named SME Bank of the Year at the African Banker Awards in Brazzaville, citing stronger SME lending and profit growth. Health funding stress: Africa CDC says partner commitments for Ebola emergency response have fallen sharply, while Congo reports 1,077 suspected cases and 246 suspected deaths.

Energy Access & Productive Power: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Congo, leaders backed Mission 300’s push to power economies—not just homes—while a new Centre of Excellence for Productive Use of Energy is being developed to help turn electricity access into jobs and livelihoods. Congo’s Agriculture-Linked Power Push: Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso said electrification is key to shifting people toward agriculture and livestock rearing. AfDB Growth Outlook: The AfDB forecast Africa’s GDP growth at 4.2% in 2026 (from 4.4% in 2025), citing resilience amid geopolitical tensions and tighter financing, with a call to mobilize more domestic and international capital. Aviation Transformation Dealmaking: Nigeria’s Festus Keyamo advanced the AfDB-backed $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme, including a newly approved Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company to cut aircraft costs and reduce flight disruptions. Water & Sanitation Financing Gap: ECA’s Claver Gatete urged urgent scale-up, saying Africa needs over $50bn a year for clean water and sanitation versus current $12–15bn. Regional Logistics Gateway: Egypt positioned itself as a trade and logistics hub linking North Africa, the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa via industrial and logistics zones.

AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville: Africa’s growth is projected at 4.2% in 2026 (from 4.4% in 2025), with leaders pushing more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance to keep momentum. Water & Sanitation Financing: ECA’s Claver Gatete warned Africa needs $50bn+ a year for clean water and sanitation, but current spending is only $12–15bn, calling for scaled-up, better-prioritised implementation. Agroecology vs industrial livestock: A civil society coalition urged the AfDB to back agroecological, climate-resilient farming and smallholders instead of “factory farming” models, demanding transparency in food-system finance. Aviation Transformation Deal: Nigeria’s Festus Keyamo was appointed AfDB’s African champion for a $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme, with a Letter of Intent expected to be signed in Brazzaville—aimed at modernising Africa’s aviation ecosystem. Local Industry Angle: Liberia’s LSEZA pledged to build a regional trade hub via special economic zones, including agri-processing and logistics-focused zones. Health & Food Safety: Iraq stepped up slaughterhouse inspections after CCHF spread to new provinces ahead of Eid al-Adha.

Ebola & Trade Disruption: Congo’s Ebola situation keeps tightening travel and health controls, with Europe and the wider region adjusting flights and screening as outbreaks strain logistics and medical supply chains. AfDB Annual Meetings, Brazzaville: African leaders used the 2026 AfDB summit to push for more financing for energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate resilience, arguing private capital and bankable projects are key to closing Africa’s development gap. Aviation Investment Push: AfDB named Nigeria’s aviation minister Festus Keyamo as “African Champion” for a $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme, aiming to modernise airports and boost connectivity across the continent. Industrialisation Benchmark Shift: Morocco topped the AfDB Industrialisation Index 2025, overtaking South Africa, pointing to stronger export diversification and industrial policy. Growth Outlook: AfDB projects Africa’s GDP growth at 4.2% in 2026, supported by agriculture and reforms, but still vulnerable to geopolitics and financing stress. Agriculture Finance Debate: Civil society challenged AfDB’s food strategy in Brazzaville, warning that large-scale models may bypass smallholders and lack clear safeguards. CCHF Risk Controls: Iraq stepped up slaughterhouse inspections ahead of Eid Al-Adha as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever spread to new provinces, including Kirkuk.

AfDB Aviation Push: The African Development Bank named Nigeria’s aviation minister Festus Keyamo as “African champion” for its $7bn Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme for Africa, with a Letter of Intent expected to be signed during the AfDB annual meetings in Brazzaville on May 28. Ebola Disruption: Congo’s Ebola situation continues to tighten travel and health checks, with international monitoring and quarantine measures affecting regional connectivity. Growth Outlook for Industry: The AfDB’s 2026 African Economic Outlook projects Africa growth at 4.2% in 2026 (4.4% in 2025), citing resilience but warning that geopolitical shocks and supply disruptions can hit investment and logistics. Food Finance Under Fire: Civil society groups challenged the AfDB’s agricultural financing approach in Brazzaville, arguing billions are not reaching smallholders and warning against “Feed Africa” assumptions. Congo Integration Move: President Denis Sassou Nguesso announced visa-free entry for all African nationals from Jan 1, 2027, aiming to boost people-to-people ties and trade. West Africa Stability: West Africa’s economies are projected to hold around 4.7% growth in 2026, supported by agriculture, agro-processing, and energy/logistics investment.

AfDB & Aviation: Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s aviation minister, has been appointed AfDB “African champion” for a $7bn integrated aviation transformation programme, with a formal Nigeria–AfDB letter of intent set to be signed at the May 28 Brazzaville meeting. Macroeconomic Outlook: The AfDB’s 2026 African Economic Outlook projects Africa growth at 4.2% in 2026 (from 4.4% in 2025), with Central Africa at 3.8% supported by oil, while southern Africa lags at 2.1% amid weaker mining output and higher energy costs. Ebola & Mobility: Congo’s visa-free plan for all African travellers from January 2027 was announced during AfDB Annual Meetings, as health concerns continue to shape travel and connectivity across the region. Trade & Industry: A container terminal in the Republic of Congo is expanding its handling fleet with Konecranes reach stackers and empty container handlers, targeting higher volumes in H2 2026. Energy/Development Financing: AfDB leaders in Brazzaville pushed for more private capital and better investment climates, while warning that geopolitical shocks (including the Iran war) could keep import costs and inflation elevated.

AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville: The African Development Bank says Africa could save $299bn a year by making public investment more efficient, while reforms and better domestic resource mobilisation could unlock far more development finance—though it also warns the Middle East crisis could slow growth via higher fuel and food costs. Regional Integration Push: Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso announced visa-free entry for all African nationals from Jan 2027, aiming to speed intra-African movement and trade. Congo Industry & Logistics: A container terminal in the Republic of Congo is expanding its handling fleet with Konecranes equipment (reach stackers and empty container handlers) to support rising volumes. Health Watch: India quarantined a Ugandan woman in Bengaluru over suspected Ebola; she later tested negative, as Africa’s outbreaks keep driving stricter screening at borders. Ebola Response Context: Congo has been tightening gatherings and travel as WHO risk assessments evolve.