AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch (DR Congo): WHO says the Congo Ebola outbreak remains a “public health emergency of international concern,” with confirmed cases now above 5,000 and deaths at 2,325 as the fatality rate nears 46%. Policy & Pricing (South Africa): Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa unveiled a Revised Electricity Pricing Policy for public comment, aiming for transparent, cost-reflective tariffs and to stop hidden costs tied to municipal non-payment. Election Integrity (Nigeria): Nigeria’s National Peace Accord for 2027 electioneering urges issue-based campaigns and rejects violence, hate speech and fake news, though major candidates’ absence was noted. Rights & Digital Abuse (Nigeria): NHRC reports 354,997 human rights complaints in July and flags rising child sexual violence cases, while warning that the digital space is becoming a bigger arena for abuse. Media/Influence (Kenya): YouTuber Mark Mansa is popularising “ordinary Kenyans into the homes of the wealthy,” turning property access into a mainstream social media format. Tech & Skills (Nigeria): NASENI kicks off a FutureMakers hackathon, pushing young innovators toward marketable solutions to move Nigeria from a consumer to a producer economy. Global Marketing/Comms: PRCA backs a new Africa Declaration to strengthen communications across the continent.

Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: INTERPOL warns Africa’s critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted by sophisticated ransomware crews, citing Uganda’s UETCL as a recent example and flagging the shift toward remote, organised attacks. Media & Telecom: MultiChoice Nigeria says Canal+ ownership won’t change local control of DStv/GOtv pricing and channel packaging, as subscribers react to recent channel shifts. Education & Trust: WAEC faces mounting scrutiny over 2026 WASSCE results, with schools and advocates alleging grading anomalies and CBT-related glitches while WAEC defends its moderation process. Migration & Border Security: Morocco reports arresting 294 migrants trying to reach Spain’s Ceuta after social-media calls for a new mass crossing, as security is tightened on both sides. Tourism & Sports Marketing: Egypt’s Salah transfer to Trabzonspor is already boosting Egyptian tourist interest in Turkey, with officials pointing to new charter flights and global attention. Business & Industry: Nigeria’s CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi-Ali wins the 2026 National Spokespersons Award, highlighting the growing role of communications in economic policy credibility. Agriculture & Trade: Imported pork flooding Kidapawan (Philippines) is squeezing local hog vendors—an example of how cheaper imports can rapidly disrupt meat supply chains.

ITAD & Partnerships: CXTEC and TDW UAE are teaming up to set up a secure Dubai tech-processing operation for IT asset disposition, refurbishment, depot repair and value recovery—aimed at faster, safer service across the Middle East. PR Industry: IPR Ghana launched its annual Edzikanfo Lecture in Accra to honour PR trailblazers, starting with the late Joseph Emmanuel Allotey-Pappoe. Media & Tourism Marketing: TEMPO Networks unveiled TEMPO Africa with Zambia’s Lusaka Carnival 2026, positioning the broadcaster as the festival’s official Caribbean strategy partner. Aviation Branding: Nigeria’s aviation minister asked IATA to review Osubi Airport’s IATA code “QRW” so it better reflects the airport’s official name and location. Sports & Publicity: Nigeria’s NFF sacked Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu after World Cup qualification failure; Cameroon’s Lionesses celebrated a maiden WAFCON title with mass crowds in Yaounde. Policy & Social Risk: South Africa’s anti-immigration group March and March set a Sept 30 deadline for undocumented foreigners, warning of mass protests and deportations. Tourism Product Push: SANParks launched the Golden Gate Zipline in the Free State to boost outdoor experiences and attract more visitors. Trade & Value Addition: Sunbeth Global Concepts secured a Ghana cocoa sourcing licence and is investing in cocoa and cashew processing plants to deepen Africa-to-Africa trade.

Satellite Connectivity: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched Africa’s first satellite-to-phone service in the DRC, letting compatible phones connect directly to satellites without a dish. Extractives Transparency: Nigeria’s NEITI won praise from EITI validation assessors for improved systematic disclosures, with a draft report due to the NEITI Board soon. Water Security: South Africa’s Integrated Vaal River System remains resilient, with key dams still near or above full supply capacity despite a slight weekly dip. Migration & Border Pressure: South Africa’s Border Management Authority intercepted 4,229 undocumented people between April and July and repatriated nearly 90,000 overall, while Spain’s Ceuta faced renewed unrest as Morocco tightened security and hundreds of migrants were detained. Alcohol Policy Push (Liberia): Liberia’s Alcohol Policy Alliance renewed calls for stronger alcohol-control legislation after a national conference focused on advancing the “ARREST Agenda.” Media/Marcom & Trust: West Africa’s Dubawa highlighted how AI is being used to fight fake news and strengthen fact-checking. Energy/Infrastructure: Nigeria’s $25bn gas pipeline plan with Morocco is still stalled amid reported lukewarm local execution.

Osun Election Aftermath: Nigeria’s INEC declared Accord Party’s Ademola Adeleke winner of the 2026 Osun governorship race (511,067 votes vs APC’s Bola Oyebamiji 444,815), with APC vowing to pursue legal routes while SERAP urges INEC/EFCC/ICPC to investigate alleged vote-buying, violence and illegal financing. Result-Upload Tensions: ADC also demanded explanations over reported IReV result-upload interruptions during the vote count, adding to the credibility debate around BVAS and electronic transmission. Political Messaging & Media: Adeleke reaffirmed support for President Tinubu’s 2027 bid, while backlash hit Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo for “agreement is agreement” comments. Migration & Border Security: Morocco detained 111 migrants near Ceuta amid renewed social-media calls for another mass crossing, following the July surge that left many dead and triggered EU political fallout. Consumer Protection: Zimbabwe warned of counterfeit Nivea lotion and Huletts sugar after seizures, highlighting how familiar brands are being pushed through informal and social-media sales. Research-to-Jobs Push: Kenya’s education leadership urged universities to commercialise research into products, services and enterprises that create jobs.

Migration & Border Security: Morocco detained 111 migrants near Fnideq/Ceuta after social-media calls for another mass crossing, using tear gas to disperse groups on nearby hills, as Spain and Morocco keep ramped-up security following the earlier 78,000 arrival surge. Elections & Media Monitoring: Nigeria’s Osun governorship race drew EU observer claims of 323 electoral offences and 38 security incidents across 726 polling units, including vote trading, ballot exposure and voter intimidation. Governance & Accountability: Limpopo’s clean-audit departments are reportedly under a moratorium on announcing results, with critics saying the Premier wants to control the narrative ahead of local elections. Digital & Telecom: Airtel Africa launched Starlink satellite-to-phone service in the DRC, signaling faster connectivity expansion across Africa. Sports & Brand Impact: MultiChoice Nigeria’s CEO Kemi Omotosho highlights the push to reach Nigerians via TV, streaming and tech, while New Balance signs a kit deal with UAE club Al Jazira. Energy & Supply Chains: Sahel lithium extraction is increasingly entangled with armed groups and smuggling, raising security risks around the critical mineral rush.

Ceuta Border Crackdown: Morocco says it foiled a planned mass irregular crossing into Spain’s enclave of Ceuta after online calls, with security forces stopping about 300 people near Fnideq (including 248 sub-Saharan Africans and 46 Moroccans) and arresting 111 earlier in the day; authorities also moved to target “digital incitement” tied to the surge. Media Access Pressure: Morocco ordered EFE and TVE journalists to leave Fnideq while clashes were covered, warning of possible loss of accreditation. Osun Election Watch: Nigeria’s Osun governorship vote drew 38 security incidents and 323 electoral offences reported by an EU observer hub, including heavy vote-trading and ballot exposure cases. Ibom Air Expansion: Akwa Ibom’s Gov. Umo Eno inspected Ibom Air’s third Airbus A220-300 ahead of delivery, framing the airline as a tourism and economic hub driver. Digital Connectivity Deal: Telna and MTN Bayobab partnered to expand embedded eSIM services across Africa via a single integration. DRC Ebola Update: DRC’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with Africa CDC urging faster vaccine deployment.

Media & M&A: Paramount Skydance cleared its Warner Bros. Discovery merger in 68 countries after an eight-month review, with Mexico the latest green light; the deal still faces a final hurdle from 12 US state attorneys general. Digital policy: Experts are pushing for stronger digital rules to unlock Africa’s prosperity, citing gaps in infrastructure, skills and fragmented regulation. Telecom & experience: MTN Nigeria marks 25 years with the “Y’ello Street” museum in Lagos, spotlighting the country’s telecom shift from basic phones to modern connectivity. Elections & marcom: Nigeria’s 2027 race heats up as Atiku drags Tinubu to court over alleged NYSC certificate forgery, while Osun governorship preparations focus on BVAS reliability and election-day execution. Public health: DR Congo’s Ebola response is struggling as outbreaks outpace contact tracing, with UN warning the virus is moving faster than the international effort. Mobility & safety: Kenya’s parliament passed a bill requiring dedicated cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure on roads, aiming to reduce road-user risk. Business finance: Dangote Refinery eyes an October retail-focused IPO, saying a foreign listing is on hold for now.

Election Integrity Watch (Zambia): Zambia’s electoral commission resumed presidential and parliamentary vote counting after a nationwide halt over alleged attacks on officials and theft of marked ballot papers, with results expected soon. Sports Funding & Partnerships (Ghana): Ghana’s National Sports Authority launched a five-member Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Committee to shift federations from emergency fundraising to structured, long-term investment and strategic partnerships. Creative Sector Mapping (Namibia): Creative Industry Institute Africa rolled out a digital mapping and registration platform for the 2026/2027 Creative Industry Guide, aiming to register creatives and improve visibility across the sector. Trade & Market Access (EAC): Tanzania’s Mwanza will host the 21st East African Community Trade Fair (Aug 28–Sep 6) with eight countries expected to showcase products and share modern packaging and marketing approaches. Political Advertising (Global): Radio advertising is projected to capture major political spend in 2026, with overall political media buying forecast to hit record levels. Osun Election Noise (Nigeria): Davido and Omoyele Sowore traded barbs online ahead of Osun’s Aug 15 governorship vote, keeping social media and campaign messaging hot. Ceuta Migration Rumours (North Africa/Europe): A new online campaign urging another Ceuta border crossing on Aug 15 was linked to false claims, prompting renewed security warnings from authorities. Energy & Infrastructure (Central African Republic): Global South Utilities inaugurated a 50MW solar-plus-storage project at Sakaï, saying it boosts national generation capacity by over 60%. Music & Brand Moments (Africa): Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty sent gifts to Ayra Starr after the release of her album “Starrgirl,” underscoring global brand pull for African pop.

Transport Funding Push: South Africa’s Transnet is seeking about R35bn from the National Treasury’s Infrastructure Budget Facility for projects through 2030, on top of the R13bn already received, as it tries to fix rail and port performance and unlock more freight capacity. Digital & Payments Growth: XTransfer says it has served over one million enterprise clients globally after processing $60.5bn in payment transactions in 2025, highlighting continued demand for cross-border trade finance. FX Update: Nigeria’s naira strengthened slightly after the CBN eased FX and securities restrictions and opened access to its discount window, though interbank activity fell. Media Freedom Under Pressure: Gabon’s regulator suspended Info241 indefinitely after it republished allegations from a Europe-based activist, drawing a CPJ call to reinstate the outlet. Ebola Response Disruption: DR Congo’s Ebola fight in Ituri faces renewed strain after a treatment center shut temporarily due to a strike over unpaid wages, with WHO warning the outbreak could last up to 12 months. Marketing/Brand Awards: South Africa’s Philipstown WireCar Foundation won Digital Brand of the Year at the 2026 Bookmark Awards, with Accenture Song and Ogilvy sharing Best Digital Agency. Election Watch (Osun): Nigeria’s Osun governorship race is in its final stretch with last-minute party inclusion, court battles and security concerns shaping campaign messaging. Music & Live Events: Wizkid is set to headline the opening night of Lagos’ Detty December Fest 2026, running Dec 18–30 across two stages.

Cameroon Culinary Branding: Guinness World Records has approved Cameroonian chef “Mommy Van” to proceed with an official marathon cooking record attempt, positioning the challenge as a platform to spotlight Cameroon’s culinary heritage. AI Brand Consistency: BrandQuantum says its BrandOffice and BrandMail products earned seven G2 Summer 2026 badges, arguing that AI-era speed makes consistent, authentic brand experiences the new trust battleground. Ghana Digital Economy Readiness Gap: A report warns Ghana’s digital growth is held back by “readiness” issues—domain ownership, hosting control, and support—rather than lack of access. Nigeria Telecom Expansion: Airtel Nigeria says it has crossed 17,000+ cell sites and is pushing toward 18,000, with 4G-enabled coverage reaching rural areas. Cross-border Payments Push: Theparkpay launches a new app to open its cross-border rails to individuals and businesses, promising faster, cheaper transfers with fewer middlemen. Public Health Marketing Moment: Africa CDC calls for abstracts and reviewers for CPHIA 2026, framing public health as “security and sovereignty” for Africa. Ebola Communications Pressure: DRC Ebola has spread to a sixth province, with Africa CDC warning it could become the largest in history if not contained.

Ebola Alarm in DR Congo: WHO says the Congo outbreak is on track to eclipse the 2014-16 West Africa disaster, with over 2,000 deaths and rapid spread beyond health-worker reach, as surveillance and contact tracing ramp up and vaccine trials for the Bundibugyo virus begin. AI in Hospitality (Africa-facing): Yanolja’s Yanolja Cloud Solution rolls out Pulse AI, an eight-agent hotel concierge that handles guest comms, bookings, check-in/out, housekeeping, payments and upselling via WhatsApp/web—starting in India and set to expand to Thailand, the US, Malaysia and Africa. Comms & HR Infrastructure: Staffbase opens Middle East and Africa data hosting through its Dubai office, letting large employers run the AI employee-experience platform on locally hosted infrastructure for frontline, multi-national workforces. Media/Marketing Leadership: RSB Insights & Analytics announces new leadership appointments tied to delivery and analytics growth across India, SEA and MEA. Cross-border Marketing & Culture: Pan African Film Festival programming lands in Austin, spotlighting African stories including the Mukwege documentary “Muganga.” Migration Messaging & Borders: Morocco says it has beefed up security around Ceuta after social media calls for another mass crossing, warning of legal action against those spreading the calls.

Ghana Fintech Push: Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George urged Ghanaian innovators to build homegrown fintechs that can compete across Africa and globally, launching the MoMo FinTech Lab in Accra to connect universities, startups, investors and regulators. Elections & Political Advertising: Nigeria’s Kogi State AAC condemned new campaign signage fees for 2027 polls, calling them anti-democratic and potentially restrictive for political participation. Media Freedom Under Pressure: West Africa’s MFWA demanded an end to arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention of journalists and civil society actors in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Guinea. Public Health Alert: WHO warned DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is on track to become the deadliest on record, with fast spread, conflict-linked access issues and misinformation slowing containment. Digital Commerce & Investment: Jumia shares jumped after Q2 results beat expectations and the company secured $50m financing led by IFC. Arts & Branding: South Africa’s FNB Art Joburg named sculptor Kelebogile Marope winner of the 2026 FNB Art Prize. Security & Crime: Ghana police disbanded seven armed robbery syndicates in Upper East Region after intelligence-led operations.

Capital Markets & Media Finance: Kenya’s Capital Markets Authority has approved Wallstreet Africa’s WSA Banking Index ETF for listing on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, expected in Q4—its first Kenya-domiciled ETF focused on locally listed banking stocks, as the sector leads a rally. Public Broadcasting Funding: South Africa’s SABC is pushing for urgent money to cover 2026 Local Government Elections, with Parliament warning it needs about R120m for fair coverage; government is also considering changing how the broadcaster is funded as licence-fee compliance drops. Retail Tech & AI Marketing: Shoprite’s Sixty60 adds an AI “smart chat” layer to its app, letting shoppers text, voice-note, or snap lists—turning grocery discovery into a personalised, AI-driven experience and escalating the on-demand grocery AI race. Election Tech Scrutiny (Nigeria): Osun governorship election coverage is heating up as Atiku Abubakar and others question BVAS readiness, including claims it runs on outdated Android 10, raising cyber and operational risk concerns. Labour & Media Jobs: SACTWU faces scrutiny over its investor role tied to eNCA, where 171 jobs could be cut, spotlighting conflicts when unions hold stakes in media groups. Infrastructure & Rail Tech (Egypt/Vietnam): CRSC wins Cairo Metro Line 1 depot signalling upgrade work and signs a tram systems-integration deal for Phu Quoc, extending its rail-transit footprint across Africa and Southeast Asia. Humanitarian/Health: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak tops 2,000 deaths as response struggles to keep pace, with calls for stronger village-level containment.

Ebola Surge in DR Congo: Congo reports Ebola deaths hit 2,011 with 4,381 cases across five provinces, as conflict, bad roads and strained health services hamper response; clinical trials for the Bundibugyo strain are underway. Libya Oil Disruption: Drone attacks near Zawiya’s second-largest refinery triggered a gasoline-tank collapse and a partial depot shutdown, with NOC warning it may declare force majeure if attacks continue. Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire Air Link: Africa World Airlines launches direct Accra–Abidjan flights from Aug 31, four times weekly, aiming to deepen West Africa connectivity and trade-partner engagement. Nigeria Election Tech Scrutiny: Atiku Abubakar alleges INEC’s BVAS runs on outdated Android 10, raising cybersecurity and operational concerns ahead of 2027 polls. Joburg Power Strain: City Power faces thousands of outage calls amid cold weather, ageing infrastructure and theft/vandalism, urging residents to cut usage during peak hours. Media/Marcom in Focus: SuperSport’s “Here for Her” spotlights WAfCON women’s football momentum, including Malawi’s Chawinga sisters’ shock win over Nigeria. Digital Skills Push (Ghana): Wangara chiefs urge unemployed youth to use new media and AI for jobs and entrepreneurship, warning against scams and misinformation.

Travel & Trade Access: Beyond the Plains Safaris is expanding its North American travel advisor program for Kenya after Kenya Airways’ JetBlue codeshare unlocks single-ticket U.S. access to Nairobi, easing multi-carrier routing for agents. Workplace Wellness: Workable Nairobi becomes Africa’s first shared workspace operator to earn the WELL Coworking Rating, adding to its EDGE certification and positioning wellness-led office design as a new marcom/ESG benchmark. Tech Infrastructure Forecasts: Hybrid cloud is projected to surge from about $207.85B (2026) to $592.48B by 2035, driven by AI workloads, multi-cloud management and security needs. Football Governance & Media: UEFA, AFC and CONCACAF escalate their pushback on FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, calling for an independent review after his World Cup commercial-rights plan was shelved—CAF remains a key supporter. Aviation Safety Contract: DeTect wins a deal to supply MERLIN True3D bird-detection radar for Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport, highlighting growing demand for smarter airport safety tech. Insurance Trust Building: Heirs Life Assurance appoints Pastor Jerry Eze as independent non-executive director, aiming to boost consumer confidence and insurance adoption in Nigeria. Public Health Policy Fight: Nigeria’s tobacco control community urges Tinubu to withhold assent to a tobacco amendment bill, warning it weakens safeguards and expands nicotine access.