AGP Executive Report

Ebola Update: Congo’s east Ebola outbreak has passed 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with officials reporting 1,360+ recoveries and warning the outbreak is still “out of control.” Energy Finance: Cameroon’s short-term borrowing on the CEMAC market hit a new high, with Congo listed among the higher-rate payers (Congo at 7.24%), underscoring tighter regional funding conditions. Oil & Gas Deals: Angola’s Etu Energias is set to acquire Chevron’s stakes in offshore Blocks 14 and 14K for $260m, a move that could reshape operator control in Cabinda. Trade & Compliance: Vietnam seized 1.2 tons of elephant ivory plus big-cat bones hidden in a timber shipment declared as African sawn timber from the Republic of Congo. Business Risk & Capital: Industry group IPPG says 150+ African oil and gas projects are stalled as international capital retreats under the energy transition agenda. Sports Diplomacy: The Russian and South African Olympic committees signed a cooperation memo that also references planned ties with the Republic of Congo on sports collaboration.

Congo Legal Battle: An Australian judge refused to block Clifford Chance from pursuing arbitration over a roughly $3.46m unpaid legal bill tied to Equatorial Resources’ Congo claim worth up to $1.9bn. Ebola Update: Congo’s east Ebola outbreak has passed 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with officials reporting more than 1,360 recoveries and saying the virus may have been circulating since February. Oil & Gas Capital Pressure: The Independent Petroleum Producers Group says over 150 Africa oil and gas projects are stalled as international capital and development finance retreat under decarbonisation agendas, warning of a $150bn annual energy investment deficit. Angola Energy Deal (Regional Spillover): Etu Energias agreed to buy Chevron’s stakes in Angola’s deepwater Blocks 14 and 14K for $260m, positioning Etu to become the largest stakeholder and intended operator. Agribusiness Cooperation: Venezuela’s delegation wrapped up participation in Congo’s 2nd Great Agricultural Fair, highlighting new cooperation prospects after a 2023 memorandum.

Oil & Gas Funding Crunch: The Independent Petroleum Producers Group says over 150 Africa oil and gas projects are stalled as international capital and development finance retreat under faster decarbonisation, warning of a major development and industrialisation hit. Congo Legal/Business: A judge denied Equatorial Resources’ bid to block Clifford Chance from pursuing arbitration over a roughly $3.46m Congo legal fee dispute tied to a much larger claim against the Republic of Congo. Ebola Update (Congo): Congo’s east Ebola outbreak has passed 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with officials citing more than 1,360 recoveries as the response continues. CEMAC Rates (Congo): Congo is among CEMAC countries paying higher short-term borrowing costs; Treasury bill rates in July averaged 6.83% regionwide, with Congo at 7.24%. Digital Taxes (Congo): Apple updated app-store tax and pricing rules, including applying a 20% VAT in Morocco and reflecting Congo’s digital tax changes for developer proceeds and prices. Agriculture Trade: Venezuela’s delegation wrapped up participation in Congo’s Great Agricultural Fair, signaling new cooperation on coffee and cacao and exchanges with Congo’s agriculture ministry. Energy Tech (Congo LNG): Wison New Energies says it has delivered and is operating an FLNG unit for Eni’s Congo LNG project, and signed a Shell tech collaboration to expand future liquefaction offerings.

Agribusiness Diplomacy: Venezuela wrapped up its participation in the Republic of Congo’s 2nd Great Agricultural Fair, with talks on a cooperation roadmap after a 2023 memorandum—spotlighting coffee and fine aroma cacao as high-quality export prospects. Public Finance & Markets: Cameroon’s short-term borrowing in the CEMAC debt market hit a new high in July, with Congo listed among the higher-rate issuers as Treasury bill costs reshuffle regional competition. Banking Demand Signals: Banks showed weaker appetite for Cameroon’s Treasury bills in July, with primary-dealer participation slipping to 18.98%, while Congo’s participation rate rose to 23.3%. Ebola Update: Congo’s east Ebola outbreak passed 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with officials citing encouraging recoveries and noting travel guidance remains restrictive. Oil & Gas Deals: Etu Energias agreed to buy Chevron’s 31% operated interest in Angola’s Block 14 and 15.5% in Block 14K for $260m, positioning it to become the majority holder and potentially the operator. Digital Economy Taxes: Apple updated app-store tax and pricing terms for the Republic of the Congo after a digital VAT change, with pricing adjustments scheduled for September 14. Energy Tech for FLNG: Wison New Energies signed with Shell to bring Shell liquefaction technology into Wison’s FLNG offering, with Congo LNG cited as part of its active portfolio. Fisheries Transparency: A fisheries transparency declaration gained broad backing, including the Republic of the Congo, pushing low-cost reforms like better vessel and licensing data to curb illegal fishing.

Ebola Update: Congo’s east Ebola outbreak has passed 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with officials saying more than 1,360 recoveries are recorded; authorities warn the outbreak is still out of control and could surpass the 2014–2016 West Africa toll. Public Health & Business Impact: Parents and teachers in Ituri are urging authorities to delay school reopenings as infections outpace containment, raising near-term disruption risk for families and local labor. Energy & LNG: Wison New Energies signed with Shell to bring Shell’s pre-engineered dual mixed refrigerant liquefaction tech into Wison’s FLNG offering, potentially widening market access for future floating LNG projects tied to Congo LNG. Oil Deal in the Region: Angola’s Etu Energias agreed to buy Chevron’s stakes in Blocks 14 and 14K for $260m, positioning Etu to become the largest interest holder and potentially take operatorship—an investment signal for deepwater activity around the Gulf of Guinea. Digital Tax & Local Markets: Apple adjusted App Store taxes and pricing, including in the Republic of Congo (VAT changes reflected in developer proceeds), with pricing updates scheduled for Sept. 14. Trade Snapshot: WHO data shows Congo’s share of Africa’s 2024 tobacco leaf exports is just 0.26%, highlighting how export capacity is concentrated in Southern and East Africa.

Digital Tax Update: Apple adjusted App Store developer proceeds and pricing in the Republic of Congo after introducing/raising digital taxes, updating terms so Apple collects and remits applicable taxes locally. Energy Deal Watch: Angola’s Etu Energias agreed to buy Chevron’s stakes in two offshore Cabinda blocks for $260m, using pre-emption rights and positioning itself to take over operatorship. Regional Finance: Cameroon’s banks showed weaker appetite for short-term Treasury bills in July, with participation slipping below 20% as Congo and other CEMAC issuers offered better rates. Trade & Investment Signals: The U.S. Embassy in Abuja said it will still process diplomatic/official visa categories (A, G, C) even as routine services shift to regional hubs. Business & Jobs: Cabinda’s Expo Cabinda 2026 reported Kz 1.3bn in business volume, 896 direct/indirect jobs, and 31 partnerships, with international firms including Congo and RDC present. Public Health: Parents and teachers in Congo’s Ebola-hit Ituri province are urging a delay to school reopening as cases keep rising.

Leadership Appointments: MEX Exchange (MultiBank Group) named David Ogg Vice Chairman and Brian Andreyko CEO, aiming to accelerate its institutional electronic trading platform. Digital Taxes: Apple adjusted App Store developer proceeds and will update pricing after Morocco’s 20% VAT rollout, with similar changes tied to the Republic of the Congo’s 18% VAT and Tanzania’s digital sales tax move. Oil & Gas Deal: Etu Energias agreed to buy Chevron’s stakes in Angola’s Block 14 and 14K for $260m, using pre-emption rights and positioning itself to take over operatorship subject to approvals. Congo Basin LNG Tech: Wison New Energies said its Nguya FLNG unit is now operational in the Republic of Congo after delivery to Eni, supporting wider liquefaction offerings. Fisheries Transparency: Sixteen countries including the Republic of the Congo backed the Mombasa Declaration to improve fisheries transparency and curb illegal fishing using low-cost data reforms. Ebola Watch: Parents and teachers in Congo’s Ituri urged authorities to delay school reopening as the outbreak continues to outpace containment efforts. Business Crime: Congolese businessmen and police officers were arrested in Uganda over a reported $4m gold scam tied to promises of 2,030kg of gold.

Local Business & Finance: Apple is adjusting App Store pricing in the Republic of Congo (adding an 18% value-added tax), with developer payouts changing first and consumer sticker prices rolling out later. Cross-Border Crime & Trade: Congolese businessmen and police officers were arrested in Uganda over a Shs15b (about $4m) gold scam tied to claims of delivering 2,030kg of gold to foreign investors. Regional Diplomacy: Namibia pushed for a first-ever female UN Secretary-General during inaugural Namibia–Republic of Congo political consultations, as the UN leadership race heats up. Public Health & Economy: Parents and teachers in Congo’s Ebola-hit Ituri are urging authorities to delay school reopenings, warning the outbreak is still moving faster than containment efforts. Energy & Markets: U.S. crude imports from Iraq reportedly fell to zero for the week, while other suppliers (notably Canada and Venezuela) filled the gap—an indirect read-through for regional trading flows.

UN Politics & Leadership: A new UN Secretary-General is expected to push UN80 reforms, add new development metrics beyond GDP, and negotiate a post-2030 agenda—while the Security Council’s veto-driven power structure remains central. Heritage & Tourism: UNESCO’s World Heritage nod for Sao Tome and Principe’s former “rocas” plantation estates spotlights forced-labour history and a growing investor push to turn crumbling sites into tourism assets. Ebola & Business Continuity: In Congo’s Ituri, parents and teachers are urging authorities to delay school reopenings as Ebola cases keep outpacing containment, raising risks for families and local services. Cross-Border Friction: Reports from Burundi-Rwanda routes describe tighter checks, repeated interrogations, and intimidation—factors that can disrupt travel and trade flows. Financial Policy: Apple is adjusting App Store pricing in the Republic of Congo due to an 18% VAT change, affecting developer payouts and consumer costs. Security & Markets: A gold scam in Uganda linked to Congolese businessmen and police has led to arrests tied to claims of delivering 2,030kg of gold.

Ebola Watch: Parents and teachers in Ituri are urging Congo to delay school reopenings as the fast-growing Ebola outbreak continues, with 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths reported; Cross-Border Security: Burundian and Congolese travelers heading toward Rwanda say they face tougher checks, repeated interrogations, and intimidation at border crossings, with intelligence services and youth-wing agents reportedly involved; Gold Scam Crackdown: Ugandan police arrested at least 16 suspects, including Congolese businessmen and four police officers, over an alleged USD 4m (Shs15b) gold fraud tied to promises of 2,030kg of gold; Tax & App Economy: Apple says new tax rules are changing developer proceeds and will adjust App Store pricing, including an 18% VAT introduction in the Republic of the Congo starting September 14; Regional Diplomacy: Namibia’s minister says support is building for electing the first female UN secretary-general, with talks held during a visit to the Republic of Congo.

App Store Pricing in Congo: Apple says new tax rules are changing developer proceeds in the Republic of the Congo after an 18% VAT introduction, with broader app and in-app purchase price updates set to roll out from Sept. 14. Financial Inclusion Push: Liberia’s central bank launched an Enhanced Collateral Registry to expand secured lending for MSMEs, farmers and entrepreneurs—an approach that could inspire similar credit reforms across the region. Diplomatic Spotlight for Congo: Namibia’s foreign minister backed the push for the first female UN secretary-general during inaugural Namibia–Republic of Congo political and diplomatic consultations. Legal Timeline in Liberia: Jewel Howard-Taylor’s cocaine trafficking case preliminary hearing was delayed to Sept. 2 after a last-minute continuance request. Business Risk & Liability: A legal explainer on celebrity-backed ventures highlights how liability typically sits with the company, not the celebrity—relevant as Congo Brands’ collapse draws scrutiny.

App Store Pricing in Congo: Apple says new VAT rules are changing developer proceeds and, from Sept 14, app and in-app purchase prices in the Republic of the Congo as the country introduces an 18% value-added tax. Regional Debt Watch (CEMAC): Governments in the CEMAC zone borrowed more in July despite slightly higher costs, with outstanding public securities rising to CFA10.56 trillion and Congo remaining a major borrower at 29.4%. Secured Lending Push (Liberia): Liberia’s central bank launched an Enhanced Collateral Registry to help businesses and entrepreneurs unlock credit using a wider range of assets. Telecom-to-Finance Strategy (MTN): MTN named Ikenna Ikeme as Executive for Group Regulatory Affairs, as the telecom giant continues expanding its fintech and banking ambitions across Africa. Business & Law: A legal explainer looks at celebrity-backed companies, using the Congo Brands administration case to clarify when personal liability can (or can’t) attach.

Financial Inclusion Push: Liberia’s central bank launched an Enhanced Collateral Registry System to modernize secured lending and help MSMEs, farmers, women-owned firms and young entrepreneurs unlock credit using more types of assets. Digital Payments & Regulation: MTN Group named Ikenna Ikeme as Executive for Group Regulatory Affairs, effective 7 September 2026, as it accelerates its Ambition 2030 strategy. Tax & App Economy: Apple updated App Store developer proceeds and pricing tied to new tax rules, including introducing 18% VAT in the Republic of the Congo and adjusting prices from 14 September. Regional Debt Watch: CEMAC governments increased borrowing on the regional securities market in July, with outstanding debt rising to CFA10.56 trillion despite slightly higher average costs. Business Environment Benchmark: The AfDB’s Africa Industrialisation Index 2025 (launched in Brazzaville) ranked Morocco top, highlighting shifting industrial momentum across the continent. Tech for Lending (Local Angle): The collateral registry rollout is positioned as a practical credit boost for asset-backed borrowers in the region.

App Store Tax Update: Apple says it’s adjusting App Store developer proceeds and prices in Republic of the Congo after an 18% VAT change, with proceeds updates already in effect and price changes scheduled from September 14 for storefronts including Congo. Regional Debt & Markets: CEMAC governments borrowed more on the regional securities market in July, lifting outstanding debt to CFA10.56 trillion even as average costs edged up, with Congo among the biggest borrowers. Telecom & Fintech Leadership: MTN Group named Ikenna Ikeme as Executive for Group Regulatory Affairs and also announced other leadership moves as it pushes Ambition 2030, including deeper fintech ambitions. Mobile Money Expansion: MTN is also exploring banking licences in selected African markets to take deposits and expand lending beyond partners. Transparency in Fisheries: The Mombasa Declaration gained support from multiple countries including the Republic of the Congo, aiming to boost vessel and fisheries transparency. Business Disruption: Packaging firm CCL Label says it’s been hit by the $8m Prime Energy Drink collapse, with creditors noting it is owed $61,345. Labor Market Signal: A Remitly study found Republic of the Congo among the highest shares of LinkedIn job listings tagged as remote, at 95.4%.

Telecom & Finance: MTN is considering banking licences in selected African markets to take deposits and eventually fund loans from its own balance sheet, as it pushes deeper into fintech beyond partnerships. Mobile Money Expansion: MTN also announced internal leadership changes for September 2026, with an executive appointment focused on Francophone markets to support its Ambition 2030 push. Corporate Performance: MTN reported strong first-half 2026 growth, with service revenue up 17.5% (driven by Ghana and Nigeria) and fintech Mobile Money transaction volumes rising, alongside improved profitability. Industrialisation Benchmark: The AfDB’s Africa Industrialisation Index (launched in Brazzaville) shows Morocco overtaking South Africa as Africa’s most industrialised economy, with Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire breaking into the top 10. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: Namibia’s foreign minister urged the Republic of Congo to boost trade and investment, highlighting agro-processing and beef market opportunities. Water & Business Continuity: Durban faces a 10-hour water shutdown for maintenance, a reminder of how utilities disruptions can hit operations and households. Labour Market Insight: A Remitly study found remote job listings are scarce in South Africa but very high in the Republic of the Congo, pointing to fast-changing hiring patterns. Fisheries Transparency: The Republic of the Congo backed international moves to improve transparency in fisheries fleets, with NGOs stressing the need for verifiable implementation. Regional Environment: Yaoundé hosted a Congo Basin agroecology summit focused on food security and biodiversity, aiming for resilient farming across the region.

MTN Leadership & Fintech Push: MTN named Ashutosh Tiwary as Operations Executive for Francophone markets from 1 September 2026, as it drives Ambition 2030. Mobile Money Upgrade: Ericsson and MTN completed MoMo migration to cloud-native infrastructure in Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, with major performance gains and faster integrations. Banking Ambitions: MTN is exploring banking licences in selected markets where mobile-money “floats” and customer bases are large, aiming to fund lending more from its own balance sheet. Tower Deal Progress: MTN’s planned IHS Towers takeover in Nigeria moved forward after conditional approval from the competition regulator, with MTN set to sell down part of the Nigerian business to help pay down debt. Trade Diplomacy: Namibia’s foreign minister urged deeper Congo–Namibia trade and investment, highlighting agro-processing and beef market opportunities. Congo Basin Transparency: FiTI and CFT backed fisheries transparency efforts like the Mombasa Declaration, warning that implementation will be the real test. Mining Watch: Zijin said flooding at its Congolese Kamoa-Kakula complex could cut output by up to 57,000 tons in 2026.