AGP Executive Report

Water Security & Mapping: Scientists say Africa’s underground water is a hidden lifeline, and they’re building continent-wide digital maps to guide where groundwater can be safely extracted as hotter, more erratic rainfall strains supplies. Soil Health for Food Security: Kenya hosted IGAD’s Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub, aiming to reverse land degradation and boost fertilizer access across the region through policy coordination and capacity building. Heat Stress & Climate Risk: New research finds heat stress is lasting longer and spreading into places that were previously less affected, raising the stakes for public health and labour in Africa. Green Skills Gap: Leaders warn Africa’s green economy could stall as a shortage of skilled workers threatens renewable energy, climate-smart farming, EVs, and green manufacturing job creation. Clean Energy & Storage Deals: LONGi and SOLA struck a 300MW solar-plus-storage agreement, pushing grid stability solutions for weak-grid and off-grid areas. Ebola Update: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases, with response teams still in an ascending phase and contact tracing below targets. Mining & Social Tensions: Ghana faces pressure over Gold Fields’ Tarkwa mining lease renewal amid xenophobia-linked protests and calls to suspend renewals. Mob Justice in Nigeria: Northern Nigeria is again shaken by the killing of an Islamic teacher after a crowd stormed a police station, renewing calls for accountability.

Food systems & nutrition: Ghana’s Prof Ibok N. Oduro urges Africa to cut reliance on imported food by investing in indigenous crops, warning that the continent spent about $97bn importing food (2021–2023) while diet shifts are driving obesity and diabetes. Climate & mental health: A Kenya-led study under APHRC links repeated flooding exposure in informal settlements to rising depression, anxiety and PTSD, showing climate shocks hit more than homes. Public health & access: Eye-care experts warn that vision loss is often preventable but delayed care and self-medication keep people from treatment until damage is severe. Food safety & consumer choices: Lake Victoria fish buyers face a “bundled” risk—nutrient benefits alongside contamination from polluted waters—raising tough questions about how to weigh trade-offs. Climate finance gap: A Nairobi forum says Africa needs about $155bn a year for climate and development but mobilises only around $30bn, leaving a $125bn gap. Energy transition & investment: Nigeria’s REA highlights off-grid electricity progress, while EIB and DBN back €200m for green and digital SMEs. El Niño watch: Scientists warn of a potentially “Godzilla” El Niño that could intensify floods and droughts across Africa.

Heat & Health: Europe’s early, Sahara-driven heatwave pushed temperatures toward 40°C, triggering red alerts, transport disruption, and warnings for vulnerable people and wildlife. Urban Climate Action: Nairobi kicked off the Innovate4Cities conference with street-art murals co-created by residents, spotlighting community-led resilience and sustainable public spaces. Water Security: A new Haleon Kenya–Upper Tana–Nairobi Water Fund partnership backs upstream conservation with smallholder support to cut erosion and protect the watershed that supplies most of Nairobi’s water. Climate Diplomacy: Nigeria’s climate lawmaker Sam Onuigbo is set to lead GLOBE International during London Climate Action Week, underscoring Africa’s growing role in climate governance. Health & Climate Risk: A first-in-human Lassa fever vaccine trial reports promising safety and immune results, as climate-linked spread risks rise. Governance & Participation: South Africa’s voter registration day two reported strong in-person turnout despite weather, with stations open until 5pm. Extreme Weather Outlook: June 22 forecasts highlight cool-to-mild conditions across South Africa, with localized rain/thunder risk.

Green Finance for Nigeria: EIB Global and Nigeria’s DBN announced a €200m partnership to back small-scale investments in Nigeria’s green and digital economy, with support for renewable energy and agribusiness to boost jobs, food security and climate resilience. Climate Justice at the Negotiating Table: African civil society says visa denials blocked some African negotiators and observers from Bonn climate talks, while adaptation and loss-and-damage issues stalled. Local Climate Funding Gap: Ghana says Africa needs about $155bn a year for climate action but mobilises far less, pushing reforms so money reaches local governments through decentralisation and green finance rules. Energy Transition in Focus: Sub-Saharan Africa posted strong gains in the World Economic Forum’s energy transition readiness rankings, driven by policy and investment conditions, not just current power performance. Rural Power Push: ECOWAS Parliament in Dakar backed accelerated renewable-based rural electrification, aiming to raise renewables’ share in the regional grid. Waste and Public Health: Lagos’ Olusosun dumpsite is under strain from ageing equipment and failing infrastructure, worsening delays and raising disease concerns. Food Risks from El Niño: Global warnings highlight how a likely strong El Niño could disrupt rainfall and hit crops and food access, especially in vulnerable regions. Biodiversity and Wildlife Trade: An operation in Argentina’s sport hunting reserve raised questions about irregularities and exotic wildlife movement, spotlighting enforcement gaps. Pollination for Resilience: Zimbabwe’s beekeeping push frames bees as a practical route to stronger farming and biodiversity.

Ebola Response: A 6-month-old girl died at an orphanage in eastern Congo, the third fatality at the facility, as Ebola cases surged 38% across 32 health zones, with Ituri province driving over 90% of infections—amid community resistance and limited resources. Climate & Water Security: Nigeria’s water crisis is stark: 161 million people rely on unsafe sources, with floods and droughts poisoning wells and leaving taps dry, while UN-backed efforts push solar boreholes and climate-smart systems. Climate Finance Prep: Ghana launched a Green Project Preparation Facility in Accra with an initial £5m UK commitment to turn climate-resilient infrastructure ideas into bankable projects that can unlock more funding. Renewables for Rural Power: ECOWAS Parliament adopted resolutions to speed up accelerated renewable energy, including mini-grids and off-grid systems, plus financing and oversight to expand rural electrification. Blue Economy: Morocco’s Marrakech Parliamentary Economic Forum heard calls to grow jobs through the blue economy—ports, maritime transport, sustainable tourism, renewable energy and marine industries. Food & Climate Resilience: Malawi tea researchers urged farmers to adopt improved, climate-resilient varieties to protect yields and quality from climate shocks, pests and disease. Animal Health: Capiz, Philippines reported new African Swine Fever cases after a long gap, linking spread to weather fluctuations and stressing farm biosecurity and reporting. Regional Connectivity: Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its first De Havilland Twin Otter 300-G to better serve remote areas across East Africa.

Aviation & Costs: Nigeria’s domestic airline operators are calling for urgent reforms after United Nigeria Airlines unveiled two new Boeing 737-800NG jets in Lagos, warning that high fuel, maintenance, insurance, training and financing constraints are pushing carriers toward long-term survival risks. Ebola Response: South Africa’s President Ramaphosa addressed African leaders on the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, stressing renewed commitments, funding pledges and support for frontline health workers as Africa CDC flags response gaps. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF reports that nearly all children worldwide are exposed to climate hazards, with overlapping threats worsening health and wellbeing across Africa. Water Transport Upgrade: Lagos State secured a €170m partnership with EIB Global to expand sustainable, efficient waterways transport under the Omi Eko project, aiming for mobility gains with environmental benefits. El Niño Watch: Coverage highlights that a “super” El Niño could intensify extreme weather, raising risks for crops, grids and mines—especially where preparedness is thin. Digital Sovereignty: Togo’s ISOC hosted a national internet governance forum focused on governing AI and big data, pushing for stronger digital sovereignty. Biodiversity Pressure: Conservation reporting flags Nigeria’s wildlife disappearing “in silence,” urging stronger protection of natural heritage.

Port Reform Pressure (South Africa): Cape Town renewed calls for Transnet to speed up Port of Cape Town efficiency reforms after the port was ranked last in the World Bank Container Port Performance Index, warning exporters and jobs are being undermined by operational delays. Climate Impacts (Africa): A WMO “State of the Climate in Africa 2025” report says Africa is warming faster than the global average, with extreme weather hitting at least 13 million people in 2025 and killing more than 3,000, while glacier loss and flooding risks grow. Ebola Preparedness (Nigeria): Nigeria inaugurated a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease preparedness, stressing a prevention-first approach while maintaining a zero-case status. Wildlife & Conservation (South Africa): Cape Town police arrested a man at the airport for allegedly smuggling 150 live venomous scorpions, highlighting rising wildlife trade pressures. Marine Life (South Africa): The Sardine Run on KZN’s South Coast is building momentum, though warmer water may temporarily slow sightings. Food Security & Trade (South Africa): Grain SA rejected a wheat tariff amendment outcome that kept the dollar-based reference price unchanged, saying it fails to protect producers facing rising costs. Ocean Governance (Kenya): President Ruto defended frequent foreign trips, linking them to Kenya’s role in hosting and advancing major ocean-focused diplomacy, including the Our Ocean Conference.

Climate Risk & Food Security: FAO and WFP launched a joint anticipatory action appeal for US$202m to protect nearly 9 million people in 22 high-risk countries from an El Niño-linked mix of droughts, floods and storms. Extreme Weather Impacts: A WMO report says extreme weather and climate events hit at least 13 million people across Africa in 2025, killing over 3,000, with weak multi-hazard early warning systems leaving many exposed. Agriculture Resilience: FAO warns Africa must boost crop diversification and sustainable production to meet a projected 50% jump in food demand by 2050, focusing on seed systems, agronomics and plant health. Ocean Conservation & Governance: EU-backed funding and African ocean diplomacy efforts push for faster implementation of oceans protection, including a push for stronger fisheries transparency and illegal fishing controls. Water & Health: Burundi launched a US$90m clean water project, while health alerts highlight the need to cut mosquito breeding sites as dengue risks rise. Press Freedom Under Pressure: Mozambique’s authorities were urged to return equipment seized from environmental investigative journalist Estacio Valoi amid intimidation tied to reporting on timber smuggling.

El Niño Preparedness: UN agencies (FAO/WFP) are appealing for $202m to protect 8.8m people across 22 African countries from droughts, floods and storms as El Niño intensifies. Climate Impacts on the Ground: A WMO report says extreme weather hit 13m Africans in 2025 and killed over 3,000, with faster warming, glacier loss and rising seas. Energy Access Push: Inspired Evolution’s $176m blended fund Zafiri aims to expand electricity access for tens of millions via private-sector renewables and mini-grids. Marine Protection & Oceans: Namibia, with UNEP support, wants marine protected areas to reach 11–12% by 2030; meanwhile, 15 countries signed a pact to share fisheries data to curb illegal fishing. E-waste Risk: Cape Town’s e-waste recycling pilot highlights the hazards of crude dumping and the need for proper systems. Governance & Trust: South Africa’s Social Media Summit for Government targets rebuilding citizen trust amid fast-moving digital disruption. Wild Weather Alerts: SA’s weather service warns of damaging winds in parts of the Northern Cape.

Climate Early Warnings: A study finds today’s top climate models can reproduce deadly heatwaves but miss the atmospheric warning signals days before they form—raising the stakes for faster alerts in already heat-stressed regions. River Pollution Cleanup: In South Africa’s Gauteng, a plan targets the Hennops and Jukskei rivers with modular wastewater treatment and nano-bubble aeration to restore oxygen and help rivers recover. Land Degradation & Drought: UNCCD’s chief scientist warns land degradation is worsening—droughts up since 2000 and up to 40% of land already degraded—calling for stronger international cooperation on restoration. Glacial Lake Flood Watch: Pakistan’s Suparco maps 130 potentially dangerous glacial lakes and flags downstream communities at risk from glacial lake outburst floods as El Niño looms. Desertification Day Push: UN leaders urge deeper cooperation to protect rangelands and biodiversity, home to billions of people. Waste Management in Cities: Zambia’s Lusaka faces a waste crisis as only about half of solid waste is collected, with hazardous hospital waste often lacking safe disposal. Ocean & Adaptation Finance: UN calls for deeper cooperation on land restoration and adaptation finance as climate impacts intensify.

Elephant Conservation: Tanzania’s National Wildlife Census 2024/25 shows a steep drop in elephants from 134,000 (2005) to 66,714 today, driven by past poaching and expanding human pressure near key ecosystems. Restoration & Water Security: Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative is hailed as a “game changer,” with over 48 billion tree seedlings planted since 2019 to restore degraded lands and protect water sources. Wildlife Tourism: Kenya’s conservation model earns global praise after a WTTC delegation visited Nairobi National Park, the Ivory Burning Site and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, highlighting conservation that supports sustainable tourism. Marine Protection: Fifteen countries signed the “Mombasa declaration” to curb illegal fishing by improving vessel transparency, licensing and data sharing. Climate & Land Degradation: IUCN marks Desertification and Drought Day (June 17) with a focus on rangelands and COP17-linked action to protect dryland ecosystems. Energy Transition (Policy/Markets): South Africa’s electricity reforms and new trading models are drawing renewable investment interest, while LNG terminal plans in Richards Bay move toward environmental and regulatory steps. Children & WASH: Namibia marks the Day of the African Child with renewed calls for universal water, sanitation and hygiene for every child.

Climate risk for children: UNICEF warns that 1.1 billion children face overlapping climate threats, with El Niño-linked heat and extreme weather raising the stakes for health, food and safety across Africa. Water stress from mining: A new analysis spotlights how coal extraction in South Africa’s Mpumalanga is draining the region’s water future, tying pollution and governance failures to long-term scarcity. Food security push with fertiliser: Africa Finance Corporation backs a US$7bn Dangote fertiliser plan to triple output and cut import dependence, with a US$600m facility for Greenview Fertiliser. Urban climate and transport upgrades: Windhoek launches a 10-year smart city strategy to modernise mobility and services while tackling congestion and climate pressures. Port performance pressure: Cape Town urges Transnet to act after ranking among the world’s worst container ports, pushing for efficiency and private sector involvement. Oceans and fisheries: Leaders at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference renewed calls for stronger ocean protection and sustainable fisheries investment. E-waste recycling pilot: Cape Town’s DFFE rolls out an e-waste collection and recycling pilot.

Blue Economy & Food Security: Ghana announced Africa’s first Blue Food Innovation Hub to spur fisheries and aquaculture innovation, aiming to attract at least $10m private investment by 2032 and support small operators, women and youth. Climate Risk for Children: UNICEF reports about 1.1bn children are exposed to three or more simultaneous climate hazards, with heat and drought combinations hitting hardest and threatening health and schooling. Ocean Protection: Leaders meeting in Kenya for the Our Ocean Conference urged urgent action against climate change, pollution and overfishing, warning that Africa’s blue economy and coastal livelihoods are under pressure. Climate Finance Delivery: A dialogue in Africa focused on how national and local governments can unlock subnational climate funding, tackling barriers that keep money from reaching frontline projects. Public Health & Safety: A Benin assessment found weak biosafety and biosecurity compliance across biomedical and veterinary labs, raising risks for staff, communities and the environment. Ebola Response: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya warned the expanding Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda is operating under severe constraints, especially around contact tracing, logistics and infection control supplies. Water Access: Kenya’s Marsabit marked the Day of the African Child with a spotlight on children losing school time and safety due to unreliable water and sanitation.

Biodiversity & Forests: Tanzania launched a 3-year drive to protect 57 highly threatened tree species, focusing on seed collection, seedling production, habitat restoration and capacity building. Agriculture Resilience: Botswana rolled out a National Fodder Strategy to cut reliance on imported animal feed, boost climate-smart fodder crops, and grow livestock and dairy output. Wildlife Protection: Nigeria disrupted an ivory trafficking network, seizing 130.84kg of elephant tusks and arresting four suspects. Marine & Fisheries: Ghana announced Africa’s first Blue Food Innovation Hub at Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference, aiming to mobilise $10m by 2032 to revive fisheries and support small-scale operators. Pollution & Climate Risk: Scientists traced West Africa’s dry-season farm fires as a major source of air pollution, linking satellite heat and nitrogen dioxide across six countries. Energy & Environment Accountability: An investigation alleges Shell’s Niger Delta divestment led to higher gas flaring at fields sold to Renaissance Africa Energy. Ocean Governance: IUCN and partners convened ocean leaders in Mombasa to push regenerative ocean action ahead of the Our Ocean Conference.

Climate Risk & Food Prices: South Africa’s inflation outlook could worsen if a “super El Niño” strengthens, disrupting rainfall, raising temperatures, and hitting agriculture and food costs. El Niño Monitoring: NASA and partners are tracking a major Pacific warm-water buildup that could signal El Niño later in 2026, with knock-on effects for rainfall and drought risk. Agriculture Inputs Investment: Africa Finance Corporation backs Dangote’s $7bn fertiliser expansion, aiming to triple Nigeria urea output and build a major Ethiopia plant to cut import dependence. Land Restoration Funding: FAO’s AFR100 opens grants up to $50,000 for community-led restoration in Togo, DRC, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi and Tanzania. E-waste Recycling: South Africa’s DFFE launches an e-waste collection and recycling pilot in Cape Town. Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown: South African police arrest a man at Cape Town airport for smuggling 150 live venomous scorpions, under nature and environmental laws. Cybercrime Response: Egypt steps up digital transformation and sets up an Egypt–African center to prevent and combat cybercrime. Mining & Industry Events: Morocco’s International Mining Congress returns in Rabat in October, positioning the country as a strategic minerals hub.

Climate Security & Food Systems: Ghana’s Climate Talks Series 2026 in Tamale urged farmers and herders to work as “natural partners” to reduce climate-driven conflict, linking cooperation to food security and resilience. Extreme Heat Science: A new study says soil moisture is a key trigger for heatwaves, and warming could redraw today’s hotspots—shifting danger toward new regions, including parts of Africa’s Sahel. Waste & Water Pollution: Eastern Cape’s Matatiele is piloting “Smart Nappy” reusable nappies to cut disposable nappy pollution in rivers and boost catchment and freshwater conservation. Health & Environment: Wits introduced Africa’s first liver perfusion machine for transplant care, while separate research highlights how air pollution and genetic ancestry can affect cancer survival. Reforestation Push: Ethiopia plans to plant 8+ billion seedlings in the rainy season under its Green Legacy Initiative to restore degraded landscapes and strengthen climate resilience. Maritime Security: Nigeria flagged the Combined Maritime Task Force Gulf of Guinea, a regional effort to curb maritime insecurity and protect the blue economy.