AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Crisis: WHO estimates unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths globally each year, with Africa carrying nearly three-quarters of the illness burden and young children hit hardest. Climate Risk Finance: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania farmers and pastoralists received Sh97.3m in Britam payouts after drought and other weather shocks, showing how parametric insurance is becoming a lifeline. Africa–Korea Green Push: Nigeria used the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to call for deeper cooperation in green energy, health security and peacebuilding, building on Seoul’s promised development and export finance. Mining & Power Accountability: Ghana’s WAMPEX opened in Accra with calls for responsible mining and cleaner power, alongside reforms to align the sector with environmental and social standards. Forest Protection Fight: Kenya’s Green Belt Movement warned against proposed developments in Imenti Forest, including a road-linked special licence, citing threats to water catchments and ecosystems. Digital & Climate Tech: Morocco launched a UN-backed “Digital Hub for Sustainable Development” in New York, focusing AI for health, education, climate resilience and governance. Extreme Weather Watch: Severe winter conditions and flooding risks in South Africa’s provinces underline how fast climate impacts are shifting from forecast to disruption.

Climate & Oceans: A “cold blob” in the North Atlantic is linked to a weakening AMOC, raising fears of major knock-on effects for European weather and rainfall patterns that matter for African agriculture. Disaster & Food Systems: Flood-hit citrus areas in South Africa face at least 5% lower export expectations, with damage still being assessed as orchards reopen. Water & Resilience Finance: Ethiopia’s parliament ratified ADB/IDA loans to expand pastoralist food security and climate-shock defenses, including water infrastructure and sustainable land management. Humanitarian Logistics: DHL launched a humanitarian logistics academy in Johannesburg to train local responders on customs, dangerous goods handling, packaging and safety. Mining & Environment: Mozambique signed a graphite law requiring at least 15% state stakes and pushing local processing, while Zimbabwe’s Redwing gold restart ramps up after major water pumping. Governance & Rights: South Africa faces a court challenge over arms export permits to the US, arguing oversight gaps could undermine peace and human rights. Energy & Tech: CSIR’s Lengau supercomputer was taken offline after a cybersecurity incident. Wildlife: A rare olive ridley sea turtle nest was documented in Florida, hinting at shifting ocean conditions that could also affect African coasts.

Food Safety: WHO warns unsafe food kills 1.5 million people a year, with Africa and southeast Asia driving most cases and deaths; chemical contamination and antimicrobial resistance are key concerns. Air Pollution & Health: New research links long-term PM2.5 exposure to lower semantic memory, raising alarms about how pollution may affect brain aging. Climate Extremes & Displacement: IDMC data shows weather disasters forced nearly 30 million internal moves in 2025, with climate shocks increasingly driving displacement. El Niño Preparedness: Zimbabwe says it’s readying measures to protect crops from a likely “Super El Niño,” targeting drought risks for the 2026/27 season. Community Conservation: In the Aklan watershed, local and Indigenous knowledge-led protection is helping safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems. Mining & Environment: Ghana reassures mining investors amid gold-lease renewal debate, stressing stable rules and local value commitments. Power & Infrastructure: The World Bank says West Africa’s power integration is expanding cross-border electricity trade and boosting access for millions. Industrial Pollution Controls: South Africa’s Transnet completes a R4bn upgrade at the Saldanha iron ore terminal, adding dust management and handling systems.

Climate Risk Watch: A “Super El Niño” is increasingly likely, with scientists citing a jump to 80% odds and ocean heat levels not seen since 1877—raising the stakes for extreme weather planning across the Americas and beyond. Circular Economy Push: Egypt’s Green Forward programme (EU-backed) has launched new Green and Circular Economy policy recommendations aimed at boosting green startups and business support groups. Water Governance: South Africa’s 2026 National Water Amendment Bill could reshape water rights, including a proposed ban on private water trading, as infrastructure strain and unlawful use worsen insecurity. Livestock Health: South Africa is scaling up foot-and-mouth disease vaccination—13.5m vaccine doses since February and 4.4m animals vaccinated—while protecting livestock export market access. Clean Transport Investment: Kenya-based EV/battery-swapping firm Spiro raised $215m equity to expand stations and manufacturing across seven countries, with more planned. Food & Farm Resilience: South Africa’s farming risks are shifting fast as climate volatility, tighter margins, and precision agriculture add new financial, infrastructure, and cyber threats. Disaster Insurance Gap: Swiss Re says the global natural-disaster protection gap tops $420bn, with rising losses driven by climate change, urban growth, and inflation.

Corporate Land Footprints: A new study tracks how multinational expansion across Africa can drive deforestation beyond what headlines show, using financial shocks to separate company-caused damage from existing land change. Climate Risk Watch: The UN’s weather agency says there’s an 80% chance El Niño develops June–August, with higher odds later in the year—raising the risk of extreme heat and disruptive rainfall patterns across regions including parts of the Horn of Africa. Urban Environment & Services: Johannesburg’s finances are under fire as parliament hears about massive debt write-offs plus major electricity (including theft and meter issues) and water losses—highlighting governance gaps that hit service delivery. Clean Transport Investment: Electric mobility firm Spiro secured $215m to expand battery-swapping and energy infrastructure across multiple African markets, aiming to cut emissions and strengthen energy security. Agriculture, Health & Jobs: South Africa’s sugarcane sector faces worker anxiety amid unemployment pressures, while health advocates push policies that reduce excessive sugar consumption—arguing diversification can protect livelihoods. Maritime Security: Nigeria calls for stronger, tech-enabled cooperation among African navies to safeguard sea lanes and protect trade.

Severe Weather Watch (South Africa): Western Cape disaster teams are on high alert as a cut-off low-pressure system brings heavy rain, strong winds, very cold conditions and rough seas, with areas like Bitou, Knysna and George facing up to 200mm and saturated ground raising flood risks. School Closures (Western Cape): Eden and Central Karoo schools shut for two days (June 3–4) under a Level 8 warning, prioritising learner and staff safety. Climate & Health (South Africa): The country launched its first national climate and health surveillance platform to track impacts like extreme heat and air pollution and support faster decisions. Food Security (South Africa): South Africa’s maize harvest forecast rose to 17.064 million tonnes in 2026, boosting export capacity as regional food pressures persist. Disaster Preparedness (Locusts): A new study argues early warning and monitoring for desert locusts can prevent “invisible” disasters and save major human and economic costs. Climate Finance (Africa): FinDev Canada announced a major climate finance capital boost starting in 2027, targeting energy transition, water, sustainable transport and climate-smart agribusiness across Africa. Governance & Youth (Kenya): A Kilifi project backed by the EU-Kenya Meta initiative aims to strengthen youth and women’s engagement in governance and the green transition. Ebola Response (DRC/Uganda): UK aid cuts have undermined Ebola outbreak response, a minister admits.

Wildlife & Food Security: A new study on central Africa’s wild meat shows it still supplies about 20% of rural daily protein needs, with urban demand pushing sales higher—raising tough conservation trade-offs. Climate & Energy Transition: South Africa’s climate progress is framed through a Just Energy Transition loan, while Zimbabwe reports lower electricity import bills after new generation, including Hwange units and a growing solar push. Fertiliser, War & Food Prices: Farmers across West Africa are adapting to fertiliser shocks linked to the Iran conflict, with Senegalese growers turning to compost and manure to cut costs and emissions. Mining & Local Benefits: Congo’s critical minerals spotlight continues, with Congo Basin projects drawing funding and Congo’s Kasai Corporation pitching community-linked development. Coastal Pollution & Livelihoods: In South Africa, small-scale fishers challenge proposed offshore seismic surveys, arguing the ocean is their “supermarket” and that surveys threaten food and income. Clean Mobility: Ethiopia’s electric bus rollout follows its ban on importing gasoline and diesel vehicles, aiming to cut air pollution in fast-growing cities. Policy & Markets: Nigeria’s capital market moves to T+1 settlement, while the EU launches a South Africa roadshow to turn clean energy and critical minerals pledges into projects. Hurricanes & Weather Watch: Atlantic hurricane season begins with forecasts leaning slightly below average, but El Niño-linked conditions could still shape impacts.

Severe Weather Watch (South Africa): SAWS warns a cut-off low will bring cold, heavy rain, strong winds and possible light snowfall to the Western and Eastern Cape, with flooding risks for roads, bridges and low-lying areas. Climate & Industry: Analysis says South Africa is on track for its 2030 carbon limit, but exporters may face rising pressure as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism expands—especially via electricity-linked emissions. Regenerative Agriculture: A South Africa farm-sector panel argues regenerative farming is now a business imperative, with soil health and better farm data becoming “bankable” assets. Consumer Protection (Ghana): CDA CONSULT’s “Verify Before You Buy” campaign pushes manufacturers and regulators to curb counterfeit and unsafe goods using consumer education and traceability tools. Health Security (Africa Lion 26): U.S. NAMRU EURAFCENT supported African Lion 2026 to strengthen rapid pathogen surveillance for force health protection. Ebola Update (DRC): Survivors describe battling the Bundibugyo strain as cases rise in eastern Ituri. Korea–Africa Diplomacy: Seoul’s Korea–Africa foreign ministers meeting backs deeper cooperation on minerals, supply chains and shared responses to global challenges.

Climate Risk Watch: UN projections warn global temperatures are likely to keep flirting with record highs, with a high chance of repeatedly exceeding the 1.5°C threshold over 2026–2030—raising heat, ecosystem and biodiversity risks. Urban Climate Action: A UN-Habitat review finds cities are increasingly built into national climate plans, with far more countries now including urban adaptation and mitigation measures in their Paris commitments. Wildfire Impacts: A study on 2025 wildfires shows a “quiet” global burn year can still be deadly and costly, with extreme fires hitting populated areas and driving major insured losses. Coastal Resilience in Practice: In Togo, a mangrove planting drive in Aneho aims to cut flooding, erosion and storm impacts while supporting marine resource management. Pollution on the Ground: Lagos’ waste crisis is worsening, with refuse heaps expanding into “mini dumpsites” and raising health concerns as evacuation struggles. Mining and Livelihoods: In Guinea, bauxite expansion is boosting global aluminium supply, but local residents describe land loss and community harm tied to mining operations. Health and Prevention: WHO says more than a third of cancer cases are preventable, pointing to tobacco, alcohol, diet and infections, with air pollution also flagged for lung cancer risk. Cold-Front Safety: Gauteng braces for freezing temperatures, with warnings about safe use of heaters and fire risks during the cold snap.

Ebola Update: The Africa CDC reports the DRC-linked Ebola outbreak has reached Uganda, with 43 deaths and 263 confirmed infections since it was declared, as insecurity and population movement across porous borders strain already saturated health systems. Climate Finance Push: At an Addis Ababa summit, African leaders and climate activists urged a shift from “climate aid” to “climate investment,” calling for climate justice and faster funding for adaptation and renewables. Agroforestry for Resilience: Kenya’s JKUAT is coordinating a four-year intra-Africa project to strengthen agroforestry research and education across East, West and Southern Africa, training new MSc/PhD cohorts from September 2026. Water Stress on Lake Turkana: Rising waters are forcing families on Kenya’s Lake Turkana island communities to abandon land and livelihoods, with limited government support and fresh-water solutions not enough to stop displacement. Food Security Shock: A UN World Food Programme warning links US-Iran naval blockades and Strait of Hormuz disruptions to acute hunger risk for 45 million people, with fertiliser shortages threatening yields across Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa Weather Alert: SAWS warns of bitter cold, disruptive rain, and possible snow in parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, plus rough seas—raising risks for travel and outdoor activities. Corruption Watch: South Africa’s police union says even small bribes erode public trust after KZN officers were arrested for allegedly demanding R1,000 for bail-related help.

Climate & Health: A new Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is straining health systems amid conflict and movement, with reported cases rising and international support ramping up for protection, screening and response. Clean Transport & Air Quality: Nigeria’s Tinubu commissioned four CNG infrastructure projects across Lagos, Abuja and Owerri, aiming to cut transport costs and shift vehicles toward cleaner fuel. Biodiversity & Climate Signals: In the UK, Worcestershire’s butterfly “favourite” race highlights how species like the Red Admiral are showing signs of warming-driven changes in where they overwinter. Water, Food & Finance: Kenya’s smallholders are being locked out of formal credit, with critics pointing to banking rules that treat farm loans as high-risk despite low default rates. Trade Finance & Sustainability: The AfDB’s 2025 trade finance report says Africa’s trade finance gap narrowed after Covid-19, while pushing digitalization and environmental sustainability into financing. Peace & Resilient Development: Central Africa’s security meeting in Burundi warned that terrorism, hate speech, election tensions and climate change are all feeding instability. Wildlife & Governance: South Africa’s border reforms were touted after a major methaqualone precursor seizure at Beitbridge, linked to intelligence-led enforcement.

Climate & Health: A new multi-country study links climate change to rising antibiotic resistance in Salmonella, warning that hotter temperatures and shifting rainfall are making food-poisoning bacteria harder to treat. El Niño Drought Watch: Southern Africa is bracing for a possible Super El Niño in the 2026/27 rainy season, with experts urging early mitigation and adaptation as drought risks return. Air Pollution in Ghana: Ghanaian experts warn that burning crop waste and trees is driving a growing air-pollution and public-health crisis, with smoke far above safe thresholds. Biodiversity Under Pressure: Research from Kenya’s savannas shows that losing elephants can sharply reduce dung beetles and weaken ecosystem services like nutrient recycling and seed dispersal. Clean Transport in Nigeria: President Tinubu commissioned four CNG projects, framing gas-led infrastructure as a cleaner mobility push. Road Safety in Kenya: UN-linked stakeholders call for safer, more inclusive road design that prioritizes pedestrians and stronger enforcement. Water & Sanitation Focus: The AU highlights 2026 as a year to secure safe water and sanitation, tying it to resilience and public health. Mining & Power Risks (SA): South Africa’s Minerals Council says transformation can’t replace growth, as the sector navigates tougher employment equity rules and ongoing implementation challenges.

Ebola Response: A rare Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak is spreading across parts of the DRC and Uganda, with WHO declaring a public health emergency as suspected cases and deaths appear higher than official figures, while experts warn early testing for other strains delayed detection. Aviation & Climate Risk: Kenya’s aviation sector is warning Parliament that Finance Bill 2026 tax changes could raise operating costs, endanger jobs, and push aircraft leasing and maintenance investment out of the country. Cooling Transition: South Africa’s HVAC-R industry is struggling with the shift to lower-impact refrigerants, citing higher costs, supply gaps, and skills shortages as regulations tighten. Energy Transition Jobs: A new look at Sasol’s “just transition” warns of restructuring pressures in Secunda and Sasolburg and highlights how skills don’t easily transfer from coal-based work to renewables. Conservation Milestone: South Africa prepares for Kruger National Park’s 100-year centenary launch, spotlighting biodiversity protection and recovery after recent flooding. Food Security & Trade: SADC ministers are urged to harmonise fertiliser rules and strengthen disease control as 58 million face food insecurity and livestock outbreaks threaten regional supply chains. Sustainable Finance: South Africa’s Treasury published a sovereign use-of-proceeds framework for thematic funding, including green bonds, to support climate-aligned investment. Urban Pollution Watch: Cape Town faces fresh local pushback over a new padel development, with residents citing noise, traffic, and light impacts.

Wildlife & Climate Impacts: A new study warns that long-fingered bats across sub-Saharan Africa are highly vulnerable to climate change because they can only roost in caves; suitable habitat could shrink by 36–64% by late century, squeezing survival into a few regions. Biodiversity Cascades: Research on Kenya’s savannas shows that removing African elephants can trigger major declines in dung beetles, setting off wider ecosystem knock-on effects. Water & Heritage: Egypt’s Red Sea port of Aydhab has yielded massive ancient water reservoirs and service buildings, offering fresh clues on medieval trade and pilgrimage infrastructure. Renewables Policy: Ghana is moving toward a national net-metering framework so rooftop solar owners can sell excess power back to the grid, alongside scaling solar mini-grids for remote communities. EV & Air Quality: Nigeria’s MAX is pushing electric two- and three-wheelers and charging expansion to cut emissions and operating costs as urban demand grows.

Central Africa Health Crisis: WHO chief calls for an immediate ceasefire in DR Congo as suspected Ebola cases near 1,000, with conflict slowing response and displacement raising risk. South Africa Energy Transition: Eskom may extend the life of about a fifth of coal plants because gas replacement projects are delayed, leaving coal as a stopgap while supply and costs bite. Climate Risk & Heat: New global forecasts warn the next five years are likely to smash heat records and push past 1.5°C, with extreme weather impacts already showing up across regions. SARB Tightens the Belt: South Africa’s Reserve Bank hikes the repo rate to 7%, lifting prime to 10.5% and raising pressure on household budgets amid inflation risks and recent floods. Water & Food Security: ECA flags a major water financing gap for Africa, while separate reporting highlights how groundwater depletion can destabilize food production. Carbon Removal Push: Pure DC’s A Healthier Earth launches an integrated carbon removal platform using biochar and carbon credits aimed at data centres and corporates. SADC Food Security Talks: Ministers meet in Victoria Falls to review progress on food security, climate resilience and agricultural transformation. Pollution Watch: Durban marks Africa Day with calls for unity, but also comes amid ongoing local pollution concerns, including enforcement attention on environmental offenders.

Infrastructure credibility: South Africa’s construction sector is sceptical after President Ramaphosa promised “cranes and construction equipment” nationwide, saying the country’s R400bn+ backlog won’t be solved by pledges without real execution. Local governance risk: Municipal instability is worsening ahead of November elections, with Johannesburg flagged as near financial collapse as power threats loom over unpaid Eskom accounts. Climate-health shock: Zimbabwe faces a deadly malaria surge after US aid cuts disrupted key prevention and research programmes. Ebola containment pressure: A fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in Central Africa is driving new emergency measures, including a US quarantine plan in Kenya that has sparked anger. Energy transition and resilience: Kenya’s flower exports are under strain from rising freight costs and operating expenses, while analysis argues Africa’s oil-import vulnerability makes electric buses a practical resilience move. Conservation finance: A “rhino bond” model is highlighted as a way to plug protected-area funding gaps by tying payouts to conservation outcomes. Digital security: Google says AI helped hackers weaponise a flaw to bypass two-factor authentication, raising alarms for Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. Mining justice: Civil society challenges the AfDB’s farm financing approach, arguing money is bypassing smallholders and that “empty land” assumptions distort land realities.