AGP Executive Report

Sahel Displacement: Togo, Burkina Faso’s neighbors (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) signed UNHCR agreements in Lomé to support the voluntary return of Burkinabe refugees as insecurity keeps pushing people toward the Gulf of Guinea. Ebola in DR Congo: The UN urges caution as Congolese officials say Ebola transmission may be slowing; confirmed cases now stand at 7,258 with 3,510 deaths across seven provinces, and daily fatalities have eased from a peak. Guinea-Sierra Leone Migration Crackdown: Sierra Leone’s labour minister ordered a review of recruitment agencies and kept the Guinea transit route frozen while authorities investigate reports of Sierra Leoneans allegedly being moved into Guinea and abandoned at airports. Conakry Port Leadership: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to improve logistics performance and push toward handling one million containers. Humanitarian Data Point: An Oxford report says 252 million young children in developing countries are undernourished, multidimensionally poor, or both—highlighting gaps in schooling and protection.

Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Diplomacy: President Mamady Doumbouya met Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan and agreed to deepen cooperation on security, trade, and political ties, including stronger intelligence sharing and joint action against cross-border crime and terrorism, plus a renewed focus on tackling illegal gold mining. Mining & Industry: Guinea’s mines minister says talks with Glencore go beyond last week’s bauxite deal, with possible investment in alumina refining and energy to diversify funding and expand exports beyond China. Port Management: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to improve operations and position the port as a stronger regional logistics hub. Human Trafficking Prevention: NAPTIP and Expertise France launched the PROTECT project to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts across Nigeria and West Africa, including Guinea, with better coordination and victim protection. Regional Context: West Africa’s banana output hit about 8.7 million tons in 2024, with Nigeria leading dessert banana production, mostly for domestic consumption.

Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Diplomacy: Presidents Mamady Doumbouya and Alassane Ouattara agreed in Abidjan to deepen cooperation on security, trade and politics, including stronger intelligence sharing to tackle cross-border crime and terrorism, and a renewed push against illegal gold mining. Mining & Processing Deals: Guinea’s mines minister says Conakry is in talks with Glencore to expand beyond last week’s bauxite pre-financing/offtake, aiming for alumina refining and energy investments as Guinea seeks more funding and export markets beyond China. Human Trafficking Response: NAPTIP and France’s Expertise France launched the PROTECT project to strengthen anti-trafficking capacity across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo, including better reporting and victim protection. Public Safety: Police in Orange Walk Town say a fatal motorcycle crash killed 25-year-old fisherman Lorenzo Castro; a file will go to the DPP to decide charges. Ebola Watch (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has confirmed cases rising above 7,000, with spread to a new province and thousands living in high-risk displaced camps.

Guinea–Mining & Industry: Guinea is in talks with Glencore on expanding beyond last week’s bauxite pre-financing deal, with Mines Minister Bouna Sylla saying the partnership could lead to alumina refining and energy investments as Conakry pushes for more domestic processing. Guinea–Regional Diplomacy: President Mamady Doumbouya met Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, agreeing to deepen cooperation on security, trade and politics, including intelligence sharing and action against illegal gold mining. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surpassed 7,000 confirmed cases and reached a seventh province, with authorities reporting 7,022 cases and 3,398 deaths as the virus spreads amid fragile health conditions. West Africa Shipping & Trade: Hapag-Lloyd signed with DP World to expand long-term terminal capacity across Africa, including Dakar, Luanda and Dar es Salaam, supporting infrastructure at Banana (DRC) and Maputo (Mozambique). Gambia Power Crisis: Gambia’s President Adama Barrow urged calm after violent protests over prolonged blackouts, as police used tear gas and demonstrators burned tyres ahead of a December election.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: Congo authorities confirmed three new Ebola cases in a displaced persons camp in Ituri, where about 70,000 people live in harsh conditions with poor sanitation; the outbreak now stands at 7,022 confirmed cases and 3,398 deaths, and has spread to a seventh province, South Ubangi. Guinea Route Recruitment Probe: Sierra Leone’s labour ministry suspended overseas recruitment activities using the Guinea route after allegations that agencies were moving Sierra Leoneans for jobs abroad; licensed agencies must submit documents while investigations continue. Bafana Bafana Update: Pitso Mosimane returned to coach South Africa’s men’s team, with technical staff changes underway and preparations for Afcon qualifiers starting against Guinea at Orlando. Sports Desk: Borussia Dortmund kept their perfect Bundesliga start with a 3-0 win over Paderborn, with a Guinean player involved in the early goal. Public Safety: A 25-year-old fisherman from Guinea Grass Village, Lorenzo Castro, died after a motorcycle collision in Orange Walk Town.

Bafana Bafana Return: Pitso Mosimane is back as South Africa’s head coach, with SAFA confirming he’ll shape a squad for Afcon qualifiers starting next week against Guinea at Orlando, while he finalises his technical team including new assistant Morena Ramoreboli. Ebola Update (DRC): Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases and 3,000 deaths, now reaching a seventh province, South Ubangi, far from the original epicentre—raising fears for wider regional spread. Migration & Jobs (Guinea Route): Sierra Leone’s labour ministry suspended overseas recruitment linked to the Guinea route after allegations of delays and irregular facilitation of workers heading abroad. Consular Engagement: Sierra Leone’s VP Juldeh Jalloh met Sierra Leoneans in Guinea to address migration, consular protection, and cross-border trade, including plans for consular and trader cards. Sports (Guinea-linked): Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha scored twice as Fábio Silva added another, with Silva’s early goal coming from a Guinean assist. Road Tragedy (Guinea Grass): A 25-year-old fisherman from Guinea Grass Village died after a motorcycle collision in Orange Walk Town.

Ebola Crisis in DR Congo: Congo’s record-breaking Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases, with deaths rising to 3,398, and spread to a seventh province, South Ubangi, far from the original epicenter—raising fears for neighboring areas as health response faces shortages and insecurity. West Africa Weather: A NASA satellite image shows a massive dust plume over Mali, linked to a haboob, drifting toward the Atlantic as West Africa’s dust season shifts. Guinea-Sierra Leone Migration Talks: Guinea’s VP Juldeh Jalloh met Sierra Leoneans in Guinea to address migration, consular protection, employment, and cross-border trade, including plans for consular and trader cards and follow-up mechanisms. Sports Spotlight: Borussia Dortmund kept their perfect Bundesliga start with a 3-0 win over Paderborn, with Guinean-linked play featuring in the scoring build-up. Road Safety Tragedy: A 25-year-old motorcyclist from Guinea Grass Village died after a collision in Orange Walk Town, with police citing an unlicensed, unlit bike and ongoing investigations.

Ebola Update (DR Congo): The DRC’s record Ebola outbreak has surged past 7,000 confirmed cases (7,022) and 3,398 deaths, now spreading to a seventh province—Sud-Ubangi—far from the original epicentre, with officials citing the rare Bundibugyo strain and warning the response is strained by insecurity, displacement, and health-system bottlenecks. Guinea in the Region (Migration): Sierra Leone’s Labour Ministry has suspended overseas recruitment activities routed through Guinea after allegations of delays and irregular facilitation, urging workers to use lawful channels while investigations continue. Port & Trade (Guinea): Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to boost performance and competitiveness as Guinea pushes to handle up to one million containers. Local News (Guinea-linked): A fatal Orange Walk traffic crash in Belize killed 25-year-old Lorenzo Castro, described as a fisherman from Guinea Grass Village. Energy & Politics (Africa): Twenty African governments backed a charter asserting sovereignty over family policy, including rejecting abortion rights, as protests and power-crisis unrest continue in parts of the region.

Ebola in DR Congo: Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have passed 7,000, with the virus now detected in a seventh province far from the outbreak epicentre; officials say the death toll has climbed to 3,398 as Africa CDC warns the spread is accelerating amid insecurity, displacement, and health worker shortages. Guinea-Sierra Leone migration controls: Sierra Leone’s Labour Ministry has suspended overseas recruitment linked to the Guinea route after allegations that some agencies use Guinea to move workers for jobs abroad, with investigations and a call for the public to avoid unverified operators. Guinea backs Morocco’s Sahara position: Guinea reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and said the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty is the only viable solution, reiterated during the Morocco-Guinea joint commission in Conakry. Conakry Terminal leadership: Conakry Terminal appointed Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to boost port performance and competitiveness in West Africa. Energy and trade ripple effects: Markets report coal prices edging toward a key breakout level as utilities prepare for winter demand, while Guinea-linked bauxite and regional freight activity continues to support shipping demand.

Guinea-Morocco Diplomacy: Guinea reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, calling the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty the “only viable solution,” during the Morocco-Guinea Joint Cooperation Commission in Conakry. Port Leadership in Conakry: Conakry Terminal appointed Guinean executive Édouard Leno as Managing Director, aiming to boost performance and strengthen Guinea’s trade competitiveness in West Africa. Ebola Watch (DRC): Africa CDC says the fast-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading beyond its epicenter, with cases rising sharply in North Kivu and Haut-Uele to 6,843 and 3,310 deaths, as insecurity and displacement hamper response. Bafana vs Guinea Build-up: South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane is expected to name his Bafana XI in the days ahead of the Guinea AFCON qualifier in Soweto on 26 September, with training camp and matchday team announcements likely late 25–26 September. Trade & Logistics (Regional): SolitAir launched new freight services to Ghana via Accra, extending its African network—an indicator of continued West African air cargo demand.

Ebola Update (DRC): Africa CDC says the DRC’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak is spreading beyond its epicenter, with 6,843 cases and 3,310 deaths reported, as insecurity, displacement, and a health workers’ strike hamper response. Sahara Diplomacy (Guinea-Morocco): Guinea reaffirmed it backs Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara and says autonomy under Moroccan rule is the only solution, repeating the stance at the Morocco-Guinea Joint Cooperation Commission in Conakry. Food Safety (Togo, World Bank): Togo is upgrading its National Food Safety and Phytosanitary Laboratory with World Bank support to expand testing for exports, including heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues. Maritime Security (Gulf of Guinea): MARSEC warns that shifts in naval focus toward East Africa could create a security vacuum in the Gulf of Guinea, raising risks of hijackings and hostage-taking. Electricity Protests (Gambia): Blackouts sparked street unrest, with President Barrow calling the situation an emergency and promising power improvements by end of October. Sports (Bafana Bafana): Pitso Mosimane returns as head coach, with Arthur Zwane reportedly considered for a part-time role monitoring youth talent.

Guinea-Morocco Diplomacy: Guinea reaffirmed its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, backing the autonomy plan as the “only solution,” and pointed to the opening of Guinea’s consulate in Dakhla as proof of its stance. Regional Sports: Nigeria’s U-21 handball team booked a spot at the 2027 World Championship in North Macedonia after beating Guinea 28-23, with Tunisia next in the semis. Finance & Credit in West Africa: Liberia’s President Joseph Boakai and the Central Bank launched a national push to tackle non-performing loans, citing an NPL ratio of 19.1% in 2024 and warning the problem is choking credit for farmers, entrepreneurs and jobs. Football Politics in South Africa: Pitso Mosimane returned to coach Bafana Bafana, but the move lands amid SAFA election tensions—raising pressure on the team ahead of AFCON qualifiers vs Guinea. Power Crisis Spillover: In The Gambia, prolonged blackouts sparked violent street protests, with President Barrow urging calm and promising power improvements by end of October.

Morocco–Guinea Diplomacy: Guinea’s Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté reaffirmed Conakry’s “unwavering” support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and said the autonomy plan is the only feasible solution, pointing to Guinea’s consulate opening in Dakhla and praising King Mohammed VI’s Africa initiatives as 25 cooperation agreements were signed in Conakry. Foreign Policy Launch: Sierra Leone’s VP Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh joined Guinean officials for the launch of Guinea’s new foreign policy document, with Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah stressing sovereignty, strategic neutrality, economic transformation, peace, and African integration. Regional Energy Ripple (Gambia): Across the border, Gambia saw protests after blackouts lasting up to 48 hours; President Adama Barrow urged calm while NAWEC blamed reduced regional grid supplies, including electricity imports from Guinea. Sports (Guinea in focus): Nigeria’s U-20 handball team qualified for the 2027 IHF Men’s U21 World Championship by beating Guinea 28–23, while Guinea’s name also surfaced in South Africa’s Afcon qualifier planning for matches involving Guinea.

Guinea–Morocco Diplomacy: Morocco and Guinea signed 25 cooperation agreements during the 8th Joint Cooperation Commission in Conakry, covering areas from economy and finance to customs, energy, health, ports, sports, education and vocational training, with both sides pushing to lift ties to a strategic level. Afcon Qualifier Focus: South Africa’s 2027 Afcon qualifier against Guinea is set for Orlando Stadium on Sept. 26, kicking off Pitso Mosimane’s return to the Bafana Bafana bench; the team will also face Eritrea in Cairo and play Egypt in a friendly on Oct. 4. Sports Staff Shake-up: SAFA confirmed Morena Ramoreboli will join Mosimane’s coaching staff as assistant coach, after leaving Botswana’s national team role, as Bafana prepare for the Guinea and Eritrea qualifiers. Regional Migration Watch: MSF says more than 1,000 migrants were rescued off West Africa in a week, including people from Guinea, as boats headed for Spain’s Canary Islands. Ebola Alert (DRC): WHO warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is worsening and needs scaled-up response as deaths rise.

Ebola Response in DRC: A new Phase II trial for NV-387 oral gummies has been registered in the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to expand, with experts warning it could become a wider global threat. Sports—Women’s Football: Nigeria’s NFF has named Augustine Eguavoen as interim head coach of the Super Falcons for 2028 Olympic qualifiers against Comoros, with Christopher Danjuma, Olatunji Baruwa and Ayisat Yusuf in the staff. Sports—Men’s Football: South Africa’s SAFA says Pitso Mosimane has added Morena Ramoreboli as assistant ahead of AFCON qualifiers, with preparations also underway for the Guinea clash. Migration Crisis: MSF reports 1,046 migrants rescued off West Africa in a week en route to Spain’s Canary Islands, citing dehydration, injuries and severe psychological trauma. Coastal Climate Pressure (Gulf of Guinea): A report from Keta, Ghana, shows how storms and shifting coastlines are destroying homes and livelihoods as climate change worsens erosion and flooding. Regional Security—Mali: Fuel blockades tied to JNIM attacks are squeezing Mali’s economy and disrupting essential services.

Guinea’s Iron Frontier: A new report traces how eastern Guinea’s Simandou and Nimba iron projects are moving from plans to reality—bringing rail and port build-outs, but also raising pressure on farmland and wildlife, including chimpanzees and rare bats. Regional Energy Governance: Liberia’s Petroleum Regulatory Authority was inducted into the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), aiming to boost oversight capacity as the country expands offshore oil and gas and prepares a 2026 licensing round. Cross-Border Safety in the Gulf of Guinea: Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri handed rescued fishermen to São Tomé officials, highlighting repeated drift-and-rescue cases and the need for deeper maritime cooperation. Digital Skills in Liberia: CSquared moved its Ganta broadband and digital education programme from a grant pilot to a commercial service with Wi‑Fi, a learning lab, and training for over 1,200 students. Humanitarian Migration: MSF reported hundreds of survivors of Atlantic boat crossings disembarking in Mauritania and Senegal in late August, many in serious medical condition. Sports (Africa focus): SAFA opened a national teams manager vacancy as Pitso Mosimane begins shaping Bafana Bafana ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers.