AGP Executive Report

Ebola Basics: A public health expert explains Ebola’s 1976 origins in northern DRC, how scientists isolated the virus in Belgium, key symptoms, and why bats are the most likely natural reservoir. Labour Rights Watch: The Labour Rights Index 2026 says global labour laws are trending toward stronger worker protection, with Pakistan’s Punjab Labour Code 2026 potentially boosting its score sharply. Military Aviation Safety: Nigeria’s Ondo Air crash debate is intensifying after conflicting passenger lists and questions about how well-equipped and supported forces are. Power Access Gap: Uganda’s electricity growth story highlights a familiar problem: generation can rise while millions still lack reliable power. Guinea Mining Rules: Guinea tightens refined gold exports with origin certification, mandatory processing at accredited local refineries, and stronger tax and reporting controls. STEM Pipeline Stress: A West Africa-wide report flags dwindling science interest, citing Guinea among countries seeing fewer students choose science tracks. Ghana Space Push: Ghana moves to create a Space Agency to coordinate national space work, research, and satellite-based applications. Education & Tech Entrepreneurship: A Guinea-born entrepreneur in the UK launches FrameGo, linking small businesses with photographers and videographers.

Guinea Gold Controls: President Mamadi Doumbouya’s decree tightens refined gold exports with origin certification, stronger tax controls, and mandatory processing through accredited local refineries, with shipments sealed and escorted by multiple agencies. STEM Pressure in West Africa: A regional education report flags declining interest in science across countries including Guinea, citing shortages of teachers and labs and showing how fewer students choose maths-and-physics tracks. Space Policy Momentum (Ghana): Ghana’s Cabinet approved steps to turn the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute into a Ghana Space Agency to coordinate satellites, research, public-private partnerships, and practical applications like flood forecasting and environmental monitoring. Maritime Law Milestone (Ghana): Dr Sylvia Ama Adusu was sworn in as the first African woman judge at ITLOS, starting a nine-year term. Energy Investment Push (Nigeria): Seplat calls for more investment across Nigeria’s gas value chain—production, processing, transport, and use—to improve energy access and industrialisation. Health Innovation (ECOWAS): HubPharm Africa won the ECOWAS Startup Awards with a $30,000 prize, highlighting cross-border health-tech ambition.

Guinea Gold Controls: President Mamadi Doumbouya tightened refined gold exports with stricter origin certification, enhanced tax controls, and mandatory processing through accredited local refineries—placing the OGED at the center of traceability and approvals. STEM Pressure in West Africa: A regional report warns that fewer students are choosing science tracks across countries including Guinea, citing low enrolment, limited labs, and teacher shortages as key barriers to building future engineers and researchers. Energy Investment Push (Nigeria): Seplat Energy urged more investment across Nigeria’s gas value chain—production, processing, transport and use—arguing gas only powers development when reliably delivered to consumers. Tech & Entrepreneurship (Guinea diaspora): A Guinean-born entrepreneur in the UK launched FrameGo, a platform connecting small businesses with photographers and videographers, aiming to scale locally then expand internationally. Identity Security Risk (Nigeria): Document-fraud experts warn that weak protection of personal data during identity record “personalization” can enable fraudsters to bypass stronger passports. AI Policy Debate: UN-linked discussions highlighted concerns that global South countries risk falling further behind as AI governance and national strategies move ahead.

Guinea Gold Rules: Guinea has tightened refined gold exports with new certification of origin, stronger tax controls, and mandatory processing through accredited local refineries under the OGED-led procedure. STEM Pressure in West Africa: A new report highlights declining interest in science across the region, with Guinea among countries seeing fewer students choose science tracks—linked to shortages of teachers and labs. Ghana Space Push: Ghana’s government is moving to create a fully-fledged Ghana Space Agency to coordinate space activities, research, innovation, and public-private partnerships. ITLOS Milestone: Ghanaian jurist Dr Sylvia Ama Adusu was sworn in as the first African woman on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, starting a nine-year term. Identity Fraud Risk: Troy Group warns that weak protection of birth certificates and other “breeder documents” can enable document fraud that undermines stronger passports. Ebola Aftermath: Liberia’s Ebola survivors still face long-term health, education, and support gaps more than a decade after the outbreak. Energy Investment Angle: Seplat calls for more investment across Nigeria’s gas value chain to convert reserves into reliable power and industrial growth.

Gold Trade Regulation: Guinea tightened refined gold exports with new certification and traceability rules, requiring exports to go through local accredited refineries and be processed under OGED oversight, with stronger tax controls and coordinated escorts. STEM Pressure in West Africa: A regional education report highlights declining student interest in science in countries including Guinea, citing shortages of teachers and labs and shrinking science-track enrolment. Space Ambitions (Ghana): Ghana moves to establish a fully-fledged Space Agency to coordinate national space activities, support research and innovation, and build space infrastructure. Identity & Fraud Risk: A document-security warning flags how attackers target “breeder documents” like birth certificates and the personalization data used in passport-related credentials. Ebola Aftermath (Liberia): A decade after Liberia was declared Ebola-free, survivors and families still face lingering health and social scars, with calls for stronger support for frontline workers and affected communities. Health Innovation (ECOWAS): HubPharm Africa won the ECOWAS Startup Awards’ top prize for a health-focused innovation, taking home $30,000. AI Governance Debate: UN-linked discussions on AI guardrails continue, with concerns that global South countries risk falling further behind as major firms push self-regulation.

STEM Pipeline Crisis: A new report on West Africa’s shrinking science track shows Guinea among countries where fewer students choose maths and physics, with Ivory Coast citing low science participation and class sizes shrinking—raising alarms about future engineers and researchers. Space Ambitions: Ghana moves to create a fully-fledged Ghana Space Agency to coordinate national space work, turn the GSSTI into an agency, and boost research, partnerships and infrastructure. AI and the Global South: UN-linked discussions on AI governance highlight fears that Global South countries risk falling further behind as guardrails and national strategies are debated. Identity Security & Fraud: A document-security warning flags how attackers target “breeder documents” like birth certificates, pushing for stronger protection during personalization of identity credentials. Health Innovation in ECOWAS: HubPharm Africa wins the ECOWAS Startup Awards’ $30,000 prize, spotlighting regional health-tech momentum. Ebola Aftermath: Liberia’s Ebola survivors still face long-term health, economic and social scars a decade after the outbreak, with calls for better support for frontline workers and survivors. Mining, Water and Accountability: In Madagascar, thousands file a London court claim against Rio Tinto over alleged lead and uranium contamination tied to mine wastewater. Local Tech Entrepreneurship: A Guinea-born entrepreneur in the UK launches FrameGo, a platform connecting small businesses with photographers and videographers.

Ghana Space Push: Ghana’s government says it is moving to create a fully-fledged Ghana Space Agency to coordinate national space work, turn the GSSTI into an agency through new legislation, and boost research, partnerships, and infrastructure. STEM Pipeline Warning: West Africa is seeing falling interest in science and maths, with reports pointing to shortages of teachers and labs and fewer students choosing elite science tracks, including in Guinea and neighboring countries. Identity Security & Fraud: A document-security firm warns that attackers target “breeder documents” like birth certificates because personalization data can be left unprotected, creating new risks for passport and ID issuance systems. Health Tech in the Spotlight: Nigeria’s HubPharm Africa won the ECOWAS Startup Awards, taking a $30,000 prize for health innovation, while other regional finalists also secured funding access. Water Project Revision: Ghana’s SOCO-linked borehole contract in Yendi was revised from 10 to 7 after drilling failed in three communities, with the remaining boreholes completed and in use. Mining, Rights, and Lawsuits: A major claim in London alleges Rio Tinto contamination in Madagascar’s QMM mine, while a separate report says allegations tied to Chinese mining in Africa rose sharply, raising fresh pressure on environmental and human rights safeguards. AI Governance Debate: UN-linked discussions and a “morally binding” self-regulation push by major AI firms highlight concerns that the global South risks falling further behind. Ghana–Korea Ties: Ghana and South Korea look to deepen cooperation on AI, education, trade, healthcare, and governance as they prepare for 50 years of relations.

STEM Education Crisis: West Africa is seeing a sharp drop in students choosing science. In Ivory Coast, only 0.6% of 2022 baccalaureate candidates were on the elite maths-and-physics track, and science streams have fallen since 2015, with Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger also flagged for declining interest. Maritime Law Milestone: Ghana’s Dr Sylvia Ama Adusu was sworn in as the first African woman judge at ITLOS, starting a nine-year term after her election under UNCLOS. Startups & Jobs: A Guinea-born entrepreneur in the UK, Rahim Bah, launched FrameGo, a platform connecting small businesses with photographers and videographers, already signing 1,600 verified creators. Health & Displacement: In DR Congo, an Ebola transit centre in Kigonze burned down, cutting care capacity for thousands of displaced people. Mining & Accountability: Over 6,500 people in Madagascar filed a London court claim against Rio Tinto over alleged lead and uranium contamination from its QMM mine. Tech Policy & AI: UN discussions on AI guardrails are intensifying, with concerns that global South countries risk falling further behind as AI governance moves fast.

STEM Crisis: A new report shows fewer students across West Africa are choosing science and maths, with Guinea named among countries seeing dwindling interest—linked to shortages of teachers and labs. Ebola Response Setback: In DR Congo, an Ebola transit centre in Kigonze burned down, cutting capacity for displaced people and delaying access to care. Health Research: A study on laboratory-confirmed malaria in IDP camps in Somalia highlights how displacement and access gaps shape malaria risk. Identity & Fraud Risk: Troy Group warns that weak protection of birth certificates and other “breeder documents” can enable document fraud that undermines stronger passports. Mining, Environment & Rights: Over 6,500 people in Madagascar filed a London High Court claim against Rio Tinto over alleged lead and uranium contamination from its QIT mine. Tech & Jobs: A Guinean-born Cardiff entrepreneur launched FrameGo, a platform connecting small businesses with photographers and videographers. AI Governance Debate: UN-linked discussions and industry moves push for AI guardrails, with concerns that the Global South may fall further behind. Minerals & Value Chains: Burkina Faso opened its first gold refinery to process more locally, aiming to keep more value in-country.

Ebola Response in Crisis: A UN senior official says an Ebola transit centre in DR Congo’s Kigonze camp burned down and is now abandoned, cutting care capacity for about 19,000 displaced people and forcing the response to “start again.” Local Tech & Jobs: Guinea-linked entrepreneur Rahim Bah, who arrived in the UK from Guinea at 15, launched FrameGo, a platform connecting small businesses with verified photographers and videographers, aiming to scale in the UK before expanding. Health Research & Risk: New reports on Ebola vaccine experiments and Fauci-linked records raise fresh questions about past high-risk aerosol research and unexpected vaccine side effects. Water & Infrastructure: Ghana’s SOCO-funded borehole contract was revised from 10 to seven mechanised wells after drilling failed in three beneficiary communities. Identity Security: Troy Group warns that weak protection of birth certificates and other “foundational” records can enable document fraud, targeting the personalization data used for passports. AI Governance Debate: UN-linked discussions and industry self-regulation deals keep pushing the question of how to manage AI risks—especially for the global South.

Ebola Response in Crisis: A UN-backed Ebola transit centre in DR Congo’s Kigonze camp burned down, wiping out hard-won capacity just as thousands fled violence nearby, raising fears of delayed care. Guinea Tech & Entrepreneurship: A Guinean-born Cardiff entrepreneur, Rahim Bah, launched FrameGo— a UK platform connecting small businesses with verified photographers and videographers—aiming to scale bookings and expand internationally. AI Governance Debate: At the UN General Assembly, AI leaders pushed for self-regulation and “guardrails,” but critics warn the Global South risks falling further behind as systems race ahead. Mining, Water, and Accountability: Over 6,500 people in Madagascar filed a London High Court claim against Rio Tinto over alleged lead and uranium contamination from its QMM mine, while Rio Tinto says monitoring shows metals below detection limits. Identity Security Risk: Troy Group warns that weak protection of birth certificates and other foundational records can enable fraudsters to bypass stronger passports by targeting personalization data. Health Research in Focus: A new study highlights malaria risks in displacement settings, where overcrowding and reduced access to prevention and treatment can worsen transmission.

Mining & Environment: Over 6,500 people in Madagascar have filed a claim in London’s High Court against Rio Tinto’s QIT Madagascar Minerals, alleging acidic wastewater discharged into lakes and waterways exposed communities to dangerous lead and uranium levels, with more than 2,000 claimants said to be children; Rio Tinto says it was notified but has not received details and points to its 2025 water monitoring showing most regulated metals below detection limits. Water & Infrastructure: Ghana’s Yendi Municipal Assembly revised a SOCO-funded water contract from 10 mechanised boreholes to seven after drilling failed in three communities, with the remaining boreholes completed and in use. Agritech Advisory: Nigeria’s agriculture ministry urged a shift from supply-driven extension services to demand-driven advisory systems tied to farmers’ needs and market requirements. Identity Security: Troy Group warned that birth certificates and other “breeder documents” can enable document fraud when personalization data isn’t protected, pushing for stronger printer-agnostic security features. AI & Policy: Global AI leaders signed a “morally binding” self-regulation agreement after UN discussions, while concerns persist that the Global South is being left behind. Climate & Oceans: Scientists warn sea-level rise could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coastal areas, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. Health Research: A study on malaria in Somalia’s IDP camps highlights how displacement and access gaps complicate prevention and timely treatment.

ECOWAS Investment Push: EBID kicked off preparations for the 2027 ECOWAS Investment Forum in Lomé, targeting April 7–8, 2027, with a pipeline of projects and deal rooms to unlock financing across West Africa. AI Governance Gap: As UN leaders debate AI risks and benefits, reporting warns the global South risks falling further behind even as major AI firms sign “morally binding” self-regulation. Ebola Aftermath in Liberia: Ten years after Liberia was declared Ebola-free, survivors and families still face lingering health, trauma, and unmet support—especially for orphaned children and frontline workers. Ebola Treatment in DRC: A Phase II trial of NV-387 oral gummies has begun enrollment and dosing in the DRC, aiming to test safety and efficacy for Ebola strains. Mining, Rights, and Risk: A new report says allegations tied to Chinese transition-mineral projects in Africa more than doubled from 2024 to 2025, with Guinea among the hardest-hit countries. Burkina Faso Value-Chain Move: Burkina Faso opened its first gold refinery in Ouagadougou to process more gold locally and capture more value from the sector. Health Research in Somalia: A study reports laboratory-confirmed malaria and related factors among febrile adults in IDP camps in Mogadishu. Climate Threats to Coasts: Scientists warn sea-level rise could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coastal areas. Food Safety Concern: Research highlights microplastics in seafood, raising fresh worries for West African coastal communities.

Critical Minerals Diplomacy: Ghana’s minister urged deeper China cooperation on mineral processing, tech transfer, skills and infrastructure—raising the key question of whether Ghana has built the analytical groundwork needed for a negotiation of this scale. Human Rights & Environment: A new report says allegations of abuse tied to Chinese mining in Africa more than doubled from 2024 to 2025, with Guinea among the most affected. Ebola Research Scrutiny: Newly released Fauci-era records describe alarm over U.S.-funded aerosolized Ebola experiments and vaccine-linked lung inflammation in primates, reigniting debate on high-risk bio research oversight. Health Innovation in DRC: NanoViricides says enrollment and dosing for an NV-387 oral treatment trial for Ebola has started in Ituri, DRC. Marine Science: Researchers warn sea-level rise could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coasts, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. Food Safety: Studies highlight microplastics in seafood, including findings from Ghana’s waters. Mining Value-Chain Push: Burkina Faso opened its first gold refinery to process more gold domestically and keep more value in-country. Maritime Policy: Nigeria’s maritime law group urges lawmakers to clear pending bills by May 2027 and speed treaty domestication.

Critical Minerals Race: KoBold Metals’ CEO says Western miners can match China’s speed in Africa if governments streamline permits and coordinate regulators, with Guinea and Congo in the spotlight. Maritime Policy to Practice: Nigeria’s Maritime Law Association urges lawmakers to clear pending maritime bills by May 2027 and push treaty domestication so rules translate into safer, cleaner, better-run ports. Ebola Drug Trial in DRC: NanoViricides says Phase II enrollment and dosing for oral NV-387 has started at an Ituri Ebola treatment center, targeting Bundibugyo and other Ebola viruses. Public Health Transparency: Newly released Fauci diary entries and emails describe alarm over a 2016 U.S. Army aerosolized Ebola experiment, including claims it should have been classified. Climate & Oceans: Scientists warn sea-level rise could help invasive marine species spread into newly flooded coasts, threatening biodiversity and livelihoods. Food Safety & Pollution: Ghana-focused reporting highlights microplastics in seafood, linking roadside plastic waste to what people eat. Local Tech/Industry: Burkina Faso inaugurates its first gold refinery in Ouagadougou to process more minerals domestically and keep more value in-country.

Road Safety: A deep cut in Janapita Bridge on Liberia’s Ganta Highway has already triggered separate truck and taxi crashes, with vehicles reportedly flipping into the bush—highlighting urgent road repair needs. Ebola Research Ethics: Newly released Fauci diary and email material alleges the U.S. funded aerosolized Ebola experiments on vaccinated primates that Fauci called “never should have been done,” raising fresh biosecurity and accountability questions. Maritime Policy: Nigeria’s Maritime Law Association urged lawmakers to clear pending maritime bills by May 2027 and speed up treaty domestication, pushing “policy to practice” in enforcement. Climate & Oceans: Scientists warn rising seas could expand habitats for invasive marine species into newly flooded coasts, threatening biodiversity and coastal livelihoods. Digital Connectivity: Liberia’s telecom regulator called for stronger cross-border internet governance and integrated infrastructure across the Mano River Union, including Guinea. UN Reform Tech/Policy: Nigeria’s Tinubu and Shettima renewed calls for UN Security Council reform with Africa’s permanent seats, plus stronger action on cyber and illicit finance.