AGP Executive Report

Humanitarian Pressure in the Sahel: The UN says about 24 million people across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, northern Cameroon and northeast Nigeria need urgent help as violence, displacement and climate shocks worsen. The UN warns schools and health centres are being forced to close, and notes the Sahel is warming faster than the global average, with 2025 floods affecting 590,000 people and droughts damaging farmland; it also flags that humanitarian funding hit its lowest level in a decade in 2025, with only 29% secured. Security in the Lake Chad Basin: Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai reports more than 50 terrorists killed in Borno after precision airstrikes near Kirta and Arina Ciki, including Khalifa Umar of ISWAP’s Shura Council, plus arrests of suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers and informants. Risk from Explosives: Interpol reports Nigeria recorded 1,934 IED incidents from 2017–2024, with the North-East most affected, and says civilian harm from IEDs is rising. South Korea–Chad Business Links: South Korea held talks with Chad, urging closer cooperation in education, healthcare and development assistance as both mark 65 years of diplomacy. Water Infrastructure Jobs in Cameroon (regional signal): Cameroon’s SEWASH water programme is hiring senior staff to draft tenders and oversee contractors, pointing to upcoming boreholes, water networks and sanitation works.

Counter-terror operations in the Lake Chad Basin: Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai reported precision airstrikes around Kirta and Arina Ciki that killed 50+ terrorists, including ISWAP Shura Council member Khalifa Umar, while also destroying logistics facilities and arresting suspected logistics suppliers in Borno. Security risk from explosives: Interpol said Nigeria recorded 1,934 IED incidents from 2017–2024, with the North-East hit hardest, and warned of rising civilian harm; it also flagged a sharp jump in IED attacks in Cameroon. Power costs for business: An AfDB report estimates electricity outages cost Nigerian firms about 3% of annual sales, driving heavy generator use; it notes Mali and Chad can lose up to 10%. South Korea–Chad ties: Seoul held talks with Chad, pushing cooperation in education, health and development assistance as both mark 65 years of diplomacy. Local capacity for industry: Nigeria’s PTDF began training 35 researchers in computational catalysis, including a participant from Chad, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign expertise. Water infrastructure jobs in Cameroon: Cameroon launched hiring for SEWASH, a World Bank water programme, signaling a shift toward procurement and contractor oversight.

UN Budget Leadership: Nigeria’s Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim was elected chair of the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, pledging fiscal discipline and reforms as the UN faces funding pressure. Korea-Africa Trade Push: South Korea held talks with Libya and Chad, urging more Korean firms in Libya’s oil, refining, construction and infrastructure, while also expanding education and health cooperation with Chad. Power Costs for Firms: An AfDB report says unreliable electricity is costing Nigerian businesses about 3% of annual sales, driving heavy generator use; in Mali and Chad, losses can reach 10%. Security and Mining Crackdown: Nigerian troops arrested five suspected illegal miners in Nasarawa and recovered explosives and equipment, as authorities target sites posing security and environmental risks. Industrial Skills for Research: Nigeria’s PTDF began training 35 researchers in computational catalysis, including a participant from Chad, aiming to build local capacity for industrial growth. Terror Pressure in the Lake Chad Axis: Reports say joint Nigeria–US operations killed senior ISWAP figures and disrupted logistics hubs, while attacks in Nigeria’s Borgu-Kainji axis are rising. Water Infrastructure Jobs (Cameroon): Cameroon started hiring for its SEWASH World Bank water programme, signaling a shift toward procurement and contractor oversight.

Education & Digital Skills: Nigeria’s federal government handed ICT equipment to 15 colleges of education across all zones, with support from Japan and UNESCO-IICBA, aiming to boost teacher training and digital literacy for inclusive access (including Chad in the wider regional project). Korea–Africa Business Push: South Korea urged Libya to welcome more Korean firms, especially in oil and refining, while also signaling a full reopening of its Libya embassy; Seoul also met Chad’s deputy foreign minister to expand cooperation in education and health. Security & Mining Crackdown: Nigerian troops arrested five suspected illegal miners in Nasarawa and recovered explosives and mining gear, underscoring the security and environmental risks of unauthorized extraction. Lake Chad Counter-Terror Ops: Joint Nigeria–U.S. strikes tied to Operation Hadin Kai reportedly killed senior ISWAP figures and disrupted logistics hubs, including the elimination of Abu Bilal al‑Mainuki and key lieutenants. Power Costs for Industry: An AfDB report says electricity outages cost Nigerian firms about 3% of annual sales, driving heavy generator use—while Chad is cited among countries facing up to 10% losses from power disruptions. Infrastructure Water Pipeline (Cameroon): Cameroon began hiring senior staff for SEWASH, a World Bank water programme, signaling a shift toward procurement and contractor oversight for boreholes and sanitation works.

Security & Trade Disruption in the Lake Chad Basin: Nigeria and the U.S. say recent air operations killed ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal al‑Minuki and also wiped out three key lieutenants—Abu Huraira, Ba Yuram and Mallam Haruna—raising fears of a leadership vacuum even as strikes degrade logistics hubs. Power Costs for Business: An AfDB report estimates electricity outages cost Nigerian firms about 3% of annual sales, with Mali and Chad hit even harder (up to 10%), pushing companies toward generator dependence. Water Infrastructure Jobs in Cameroon: Cameroon is hiring senior staff for SEWASH, a €184.9m World Bank water programme, signaling a shift from setup to procurement and contractor oversight. Industrial Skills for Oil & Gas: Nigeria’s PTDF has started training 35 researchers in computational catalysis, including a researcher from Chad, aiming to cut reliance on foreign expertise. Solar Supply Chain Surge: China set a record for solar component exports in March 2026; African demand jumped sharply, including Nigeria and Ethiopia, as costs and policy shifts drive new installations.

Counterterror & Security: Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai, with U.S. Africa Command support, says precision strikes in the Lake Chad Basin killed ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki (Abbor Mainok) and also wiped out key aides Abu Huraira, Ba Yuram and Mallam Haruna—degrading logistics, security and command links. Infrastructure & Power Costs: An AfDB report estimates power outages cost Nigerian firms about 3% of annual sales, with many companies forced into generator dependence. Water & Procurement: Cameroon’s SEWASH World Bank water programme is moving into contracting, with 10 senior roles being hired to draft tenders and oversee boreholes, water networks and sanitation works. Clean Energy Supply Chains: China hit record exports of solar components in March 2026; demand spikes in Nigeria and Ethiopia point to fast-growing solar uptake across Africa. Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform to improve crisis response, amid a major funding gap across the continent.

Power & Business Costs: An AfDB report says unreliable electricity is hitting firms hard in the region, with Nigerian businesses losing about 3% of annual sales to outages and generator dependence; in Mali and Chad, the hit can reach 10%. Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform to tighten crisis response, as Africa faces a major funding gap and rising displacement, hunger, and climate-linked disasters. Security & Counterterrorism: Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad area remain volatile after the reported elimination of an ISWAP commander, with analysts warning the death could still trigger fresh threats. Energy & Solar Supply Chains: China set another record for solar component exports, and demand is surging across Africa—Nigeria’s imports jumped sharply—fueling faster clean-energy deployment. Trade & Women Entrepreneurs: In Malawi, experts say simplified trade regimes help women and youth access markets, but border harassment, weak infrastructure, and limited finance still block full participation. Agriculture & Food Systems: A report highlights how hybrid rice cooperation is taking root in West Africa, while broader livestock and meat supply chains are under pressure from conflict, policy shocks, and climate stress.

Power & Business Costs: An AfDB report says unreliable electricity is hitting Nigerian firms hard, with outages costing about 3% of annual sales; in Mali and Chad, the hit can reach 10%, pushing companies to rely on generators (70.7% of Nigerian firms own or share them). Solar Supply & Demand: China set a record for solar component exports in March 2026 (68GW, +49%); African demand surged too, with Nigeria’s imports up 519% to 1.2GW and Ethiopia up 391% to 1.1GW—fuelled by higher fossil-fuel prices and changes to clean-tech rebates. Humanitarian Coordination in Africa: The African Union launched a new humanitarian coordination platform to tighten crisis response, as 160M+ people need aid and only 26.7% of Africa’s humanitarian funding is currently met. Security & Trade Impact (Lake Chad): Nigeria’s counterterror push continues after the reported killing of ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, but analysts warn it could still spark fresh threats across the North-East and Lake Chad region. Chad Focus (Crisis Response): WFP is running a bold resilience drive in Chad, aiming to support communities facing displacement, hunger, and climate-linked shocks.

Humanitarian Push in Chad: WFP launched a resilience drive across Chad’s regions (Logone Oriental, Sila, Ouaddai, Guera, Kanem, Barh-El-Gazel, Lac, Wadi Fira) to boost food security via PROAGRI support for small producers, cooperatives, climate-smart farming, and water-harvesting to reduce long-term aid dependence. Food Security & Farming Inputs: The same WFP effort targets seeds, cultivated land access, hydro-agricultural infrastructure, and land restoration—aimed at helping refugees and host communities withstand climate stress and displacement. Local Agriculture Capacity: PROAGRI and partner projects focus on organizing producers, advisory services, and innovation so communities can improve productivity and market access. Security Spillover (Lake Chad): Nigeria-linked counterterror updates keep pointing to the Lake Chad basin as a key operational area, reinforcing why food and livelihoods programs in Chad are tied to stability needs. Business & Skills Angle: A separate STEM 3D-printing grant story highlights how practical training is expanding in classrooms—useful context for Chad’s longer-term workforce development.

Chad Food Security: WFP launched resilience-building programmes across Chad under PROAGRI and partner projects, backing small producers (refugees and host communities) with seeds, inputs, hydro-agricultural infrastructure, cooperatives, advisory services, and climate-smart farming to cut long-term dependence on aid. Lake Chad Security: Nigeria’s Tinubu-linked counter-terror messaging highlights joint operations in the Lake Chad region that reportedly eliminated ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, while analysts warn the strike could still spark new threats across Nigeria’s north-east and the wider Lake Chad belt. Solar & Industry Inputs: China set a record for solar component exports in March 2026 (68GW), with African demand surging—Nigeria’s imports reportedly jumped 519% to 1.2GW—fueling faster solar deployment and local assembly opportunities. Regional Integration: Congo announced visa-free entry for all African nationals from January 2027, aiming to ease movement and support implementation of the AfCFTA.

Energy & Trade: China hit a record March 2026 export of solar components (68GW), with African demand surging—Nigeria’s imports jumped 519% to 1.2GW and Ethiopia rose 391%—as fossil-fuel prices climb and China ends clean-tech tax rebates. Food Security in Chad: WFP launched resilience programmes across Chad (PROAGRI, FCDO and BMZ projects) to boost smallholder production, restore ecosystems, and reduce long-term dependence on aid. Security & Lake Chad: The U.S. says a covert mission ordered by President Trump helped eliminate IS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in Nigeria’s northeast, while Nigeria-focused think tanks warn the strike could trigger new threats across the Lake Chad region. Regional Integration: Congo announced visa-free entry for all African nationals from January 2027, joining similar moves to ease movement and support the AfCFTA. Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union unveiled a new humanitarian coordination platform to tighten crisis response, despite a major financing gap. Construction & Industry: Morocco’s CIMAF plans a $45m Gabon cement expansion, adding capacity ahead of a 2027 clinker import ban.

Food Security in Chad: The World Food Programme (WFP) launched resilience-building programmes across Chad, backing small producers (including refugees and host communities) with seeds, inputs, hydro-agriculture infrastructure, cooperatives, climate-smart farming, and land restoration to reduce long-term dependence on aid. Energy & Imports: A new report says China hit a record for solar component exports in March 2026, with African demand rising fast—Nigeria’s solar imports jumped 519% to 1.2 GW, signaling cheaper power hardware flowing into the region. Security in the Lake Chad Basin: The Pentagon says a covert U.S.-linked counterterrorism mission in Nigeria, ordered to protect Nigerian Christian communities, helped eliminate ISIS commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki; a policy think tank warns the strike could still trigger fresh threats across Nigeria’s north-east and the wider Lake Chad region. Regional Integration: Congo announced visa-free access for all African nationals from January 2027, adding momentum to easier cross-border movement under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Infrastructure & Trade: MSC expands Central Africa logistics via Kribi port integration, positioning the corridor to better connect Chad and the Central African Republic.

Food Security in Chad: WFP launched resilience-building programmes across Chad (Logone Oriental, Sila, Ouaddai, Guéra, Kanem, Barh-El-Gazel, Lac, Wadi Fira), backing small producers with land access, seeds and hydro-agricultural support, plus cooperatives and climate-smart farming to cut long-term dependence on aid. Humanitarian Coordination: The African Union rolled out a new humanitarian coordination platform to tighten crisis response, but funding gaps remain severe (only 26.7% of needs met), raising pressure on food, health, water and protection work. Lake Chad Security: Nextier warned that the killing of ISWAP commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki could spark fresh threats across Nigeria’s North-East and the wider Lake Chad region. Regional Trade & Industry: MSC expanded Central Africa logistics via Kribi port, linking Chad and CAR, while CIMAF plans a $45m cement expansion in Gabon ahead of a 2027 clinker import ban. Energy & Imports: China set a record for solar exports in March 2026 (68GW), with African demand surging—Nigeria’s imports reportedly jumped to 1.2GW.

Food Security in Chad: WFP launched resilience programs across Logone Oriental, Sila, Ouaddai, Guéra, Kanem, Barh-El-Gazel, Lac and Wadi Fira, backing PROAGRI smallholder support (land access, seeds, inputs, hydro-agriculture) plus cooperatives and climate-smart farming to cut long-term dependence on aid. Energy & Industry: China hit a record 68GW of solar component exports in March 2026, with African demand jumping—Nigeria’s imports reportedly rose to 1.2GW—fueling faster electrification for mines, farms and factories. Construction & Materials: Morocco’s CIMAF plans a $45m Gabon expansion (third line at Owendo and more clinker), timed ahead of Gabon’s planned clinker import ban in 2027, aiming to turn Gabon into a Central Africa cement export base. Logistics & Trade Links: MSC expands Central Africa logistics via Kribi port, strengthening intermodal routes that can connect to Chad and the wider region. Regional Security: Russia claims Ukraine is a logistics hub for weapons reaching terrorist groups across Africa, naming Chad among affected countries.

Food Security in Chad: The World Food Programme (WFP) launched resilience projects across Chad under PROAGRI, FCDO and BMZ support, backing small producers (including refugees and host communities) with seeds, inputs, hydro-agricultural infrastructure, cooperatives and climate-smart farming to cut long-term dependence on aid. Agribusiness & Trade: China’s hybrid rice push keeps spreading in West Africa, with Guinea receiving a symbolic bag of hybrid rice tied to higher yields from demonstration parks—another signal for regional seed and irrigation partnerships. Energy & Renewables: China set a record for solar exports in March 2026, shipping 68GW of solar components; African demand is rising fast, including Nigeria’s jump to 1.2GW in March. Construction & Industry: Morocco’s CIMAF plans a $45m expansion in Gabon, adding a third cement line and clinker capacity ahead of a 2027 clinker import ban—aimed at boosting local manufacturing and Central Africa’s cement supply, with CIMAF already operating in Chad. Logistics & Ports: MSC is expanding Central Africa logistics through Kribi port integration, linking routes that can matter for Chad-CAR trade flows. Security & Risk: Russia claims Ukraine has become a logistics base for Western weapons reaching terrorist groups across Africa, naming Chad among affected countries.

Debt Pressure: A new global-debt snapshot shows world debt rising fast again, with analysts warning the burden is so large that it would take years of GDP to “catch up,” raising the risk of a wider financial shock. Nigeria Security & Economy: On Eid-el-Kabir, President Tinubu said the “dark tunnel” of reforms is over and the economy is stabilising, while also admitting insecurity persists—against the backdrop of major counterterrorism cooperation that recently removed a top ISIS figure. Chad Humanitarian Push: WFP is rolling out resilience programs across multiple regions in Chad to cut long-term dependence on aid, while Qatar Charity delivered food baskets to Massaguet as hunger worsens. Solar Boom: China hit a record for solar exports in March, and demand spikes in Africa—especially Nigeria—signal faster renewable buildout despite policy and price swings. Regional Mobility: Congo plans visa-free entry for all Africans from January 2027, joining similar moves meant to speed up continental movement. Tech Regulation: Uganda is preparing Starlink operations with a local gateway and tighter tax/security oversight.