AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: Congo’s Ebola death toll hit 600 as new suspected cases were reported in Kisangani (Tshopo), with Africa CDC warning the outbreak is still the fastest-growing on the continent and pointing to financing and safe-burial gaps. Wildlife & Enforcement: A baby chimpanzee rescued from illegal pet trafficking in the Republic of the Congo is now at the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary after PALF arrested the trafficker. Transport & Trade: Cameroon secured UK-backed financing for the long-delayed Ebolowa–Akom II–Kribi road, a €198.3m package plus a €11.9m commercial loan aimed at cutting costs and boosting access to the Port of Kribi. Energy Markets: West Africa crude oil exports fell 10.4% year-on-year in Jan–Jun 2026, according to Banchero Costa, as global loadings declined. Business Restructuring: In Australia, Congo Brands Australia—the local arm behind Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime drinks—was placed into administration, with reported debts of $7.92m and cash of just $84,855. Conservation Governance: Civil society raised alarms over illegal logging and land exploitation around the Ngoyla Wildlife Reserve and Djoko Community Forest, citing threats linked to the Mbalam mining project.

Ebola Watch: Congo’s Ebola toll hit 600 as new suspected cases were reported in Kisangani (Tshopo), including one with no link to known outbreaks, while Africa CDC warned the outbreak is still the fastest-growing on the continent and flagged gaps in financing and safe burial capacity. Trade & Industry: Cameroon cleared a major hurdle for the long-delayed Ebolowa–Akom II–Kribi road after UK-backed financing secured by Standard Chartered, aiming to cut transport costs and boost access to the Port of Kribi. Energy Markets: West Africa crude oil exports fell 10.4% year-on-year in Jan–Jun 2026, according to Banchero Costa, as demand and loading patterns shifted. Business & Jobs: Africa Global Logistics (AGL) launched paid internships for Gonet Academy graduates, turning a graduation pledge into four new roles. Governance & Rights: Civil society sounded alarms over timber looting and logging threats around the Ngoyla Wildlife Reserve and Djoko Community Forest, citing risks tied to the Mbalam mining project. Corporate Shock: Prime drinks’ Australian operator, Congo Brands Australia, collapsed into administration with debts and only about $85,000 cash on hand. Bilateral Moves: Angola and the Republic of the Congo discussed strengthening cooperation and exploring an Angola–Congo Economic Forum to spur trade and investment.

Ebola Update: Congo’s Ebola death toll hit 600 as new suspected cases were reported in Kisangani (Tshopo), including one with no clear link to known outbreaks, while treatment centres near capacity and unpaid healthcare worker benefits add pressure. Rubber Policy Push: Liberia’s RPAL and RDFI are urging the government to turn a temporary ban on exporting unprocessed natural rubber into permanent law to boost local processing, jobs, and value addition. Business Restructuring: Australia’s Congo Brands Australia—the local unit behind influencer-backed drink brand Prime—has collapsed into administration, with creditors’ meetings set and financial filings showing heavy losses and unpaid bills. Energy & Infrastructure: Cameroon secured UK-backed financing for the long-delayed Ebolowa–Akom II–Kribi road, a key corridor to cut transport costs and improve access to the Port of Kribi. Local Talent Pipeline: Africa Global Logistics (AGL) and Gonet Academy launched paid internships for graduates, turning graduation pledges into hiring opportunities. Wildlife Rescue: Congo teams helped rescue a sick pet chimpanzee (Lola) and a mandrill (Nico) from private captivity in Equatorial Guinea, highlighting cross-border coordination and welfare risks in the wildlife trade. Mining Governance: At MOTA 2026 in Paris, Congo’s mining minister warned priority projects can’t be held hostage by funding failures, while pushing for sovereignty with investor-stable rules.

Ebola Update: Congo’s Ebola death toll has climbed to 600, with 1,759 confirmed cases overall, as new suspected cases were reported in Kisangani (Tshopo), including one with no link to known outbreaks—while WHO warns the outbreak is still expanding amid insecurity and treatment centers running near capacity. Energy & Gas Markets: At NOG Energy Week 2026, industry leaders highlighted FLNG as a fast-growing way to monetize offshore gas, noting Africa already hosts several FLNG projects (including in Congo) and that more are expected as demand rises. Mining & Sovereignty: The Mining on Top Africa (MOTA) 2026 summit in Paris put “sovereignty, sustainability and partnerships” front and center, with Congo’s mining minister pushing for priority projects not to be held hostage by financing gaps. Local Business & Jobs: Africa Global Logistics (AGL) has started paid internships for Gonet Academy graduates, turning a June graduation pledge into four internship openings. Trade & Infrastructure (Regional): UK-backed financing cleared a major hurdle for Cameroon’s long-delayed Ebolowa–Akom II–Kribi road, aimed at cutting transport costs and boosting access to the Port of Kribi.

Energy & Investment: The Republic of Congo is set to host the second Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in June 2027 in Brazzaville, aiming to pull in global oil and gas investors and energy ministers to accelerate deals as the country expands upstream, gas monetization and LNG activity. Mining Policy: At the MOTA 2026 Summit in Paris, Congo’s mining minister pushed for “priority projects” not to be held back by funding failures, spotlighting the Kola potash push and the need for over $2bn to move forward. Trade & Diplomacy: Angola and the Republic of the Congo discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and floated an Angola–Congo Economic Forum to boost investment and trade between public and private sectors. Health Watch: The WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still expanding, with confirmed cases rising and treatment centers near capacity, while authorities work to add beds and tighten contact follow-up. Digital Agriculture: E-AgriBusiness founder Edeh Dona Etchri is highlighted for scaling digital tools across Central Africa to digitize agricultural value chains and improve access to services.

Energy & Investment: The Republic of Congo is set to host the second Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in June 2027 in Brazzaville, aiming to pull in major oil and gas players and accelerate deals across the sector. Mining Policy: At the MOTA 2026 Summit in Paris, Congo’s mining minister pushed for “priority projects” not to be held back by funding gaps, spotlighting the Kola potash project’s need for over $2bn. Regional Diplomacy: Angola and Congo met in Luanda to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including plans for an Angola–Congo Economic Forum to boost trade and investment. Digital Agriculture: Togo’s E-AgriBusiness founder, Edeh Dona Etchri, highlighted how mobile and web tools are digitizing farm value chains across Central Africa, including Congo. Public Health: The WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still expanding, with confirmed cases rising and treatment capacity under pressure. Trade Facilitation: AfCFTA’s Wamkele Mene urged visa-on-arrival for Africans to speed up intra-African trade and investment.

Mining & Sovereignty: The Mining on Top Africa (MOTA) 2026 Summit opened in Paris with African states pushing for more local value from minerals while keeping investor-friendly legal stability; Congo’s mining minister warned priority projects like Kola potash can’t be held back by funding failures. Energy Deal-Making: Brazzaville is set to host the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in June 2027, aiming to pull in major oil and gas players and financiers to accelerate investment in Congo’s upstream and LNG pipeline. China–Congo Ties: China’s vice foreign minister met Congo’s ambassador to China, highlighting progress under the zero-tariff policy and cooperation in energy, minerals and infrastructure. Ebola Watch: WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still expanding, with confirmed cases rising to 1,581 and deaths to 526, as contact tracing and treatment capacity remain key constraints. Regional Trade Policy: AfCFTA’s secretary-general urged visa-on-arrival for all Africans to speed up intra-African trade, citing slow ratification of the free movement protocol. Human Security: Congo’s labour ministry reported trafficking prosecutions and convictions, including cases involving alleged child trafficking and forced prostitution. Business & Finance Signals: A World Bank review of Central African public finances flags tight fiscal space and heavy wage burdens—an issue Congo-region investors will be watching for spillover effects.

Energy Dealmaking in Brazzaville: The Republic of Congo will host the second Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in June 2027 at Kintélé, aiming to pull in OPEC, regional energy ministers, and major oil and gas investors for cross-border deals. Ebola Watch: WHO says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still expanding in its “expansion phase,” with confirmed cases rising to 1,581 and deaths to 526, as contact follow-up and treatment capacity remain pressure points. Human Trafficking Enforcement: Congo’s Labour Minister reports trafficking prosecutions and convictions, including a case where five women were sentenced to 20 years for allegedly trying to traffic 11 children. Trade Facilitation Push: AfCFTA’s secretary-general calls for visa-on-arrival for all Africans to speed up intra-African trade and investment by easing movement restrictions. Energy Security Angle: Dangote’s refinery plans—700,000 bpd in Kenya as part of a 2.1m bpd total expansion—were discussed with Congo’s national oil company, underscoring regional fuel security competition.

Oil & Refining: Dangote Industries says its planned East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 barrels per day, lifting the group’s combined refining capacity to 2.1 million bpd, with the project’s location focus shifting to Kenya’s Mombasa and Lamu ports after earlier plans for Tanzania. Energy Partnerships: The announcement came during discussions involving the Republic of Congo’s national oil company and Dangote, with both sides exploring a strategic alliance on refining and petroleum supply. Health Policy: India’s Health Ministry held a One Health consultation on a national action plan to prevent and control zoonotic diseases, aiming to strengthen multisector coordination, surveillance, labs, and response systems. Sports & Governance: FIFA lifted a suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun after a Trump call to Infantino, triggering criticism from UEFA over the decision’s handling and raising questions about FIFA’s independence. Business & Consumer Regulation: Nigeria’s president ordered the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Google, X and some AI platforms over alleged exploitation of Nigerian media content without fair compensation. Aviation & Tourism: A World Bank Tourism Watch report flags a 15% decline in estimated aviation passenger arrivals for the Republic of Congo, while several neighbors post growth.

Energy & Industry: Dangote Industries says its East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 barrels per day, alongside 1.4 million bpd in Nigeria, as it targets 2.1 million bpd total capacity and deepens ties with the Republic of Congo’s national oil company. Digital Economy: Nigeria’s President Tinubu orders the FCCPC to investigate Meta, Google and X (and some AI platforms) over claims they exploit Nigerian media content without fair compensation—an issue that could reshape how global platforms pay local publishers. Finance & Power Access: A report says an IFC-backed company plans to spend $450m expanding in Nigeria and Congo to bring electricity access to underserved communities, with more funding earmarked for other countries. Environment & Energy Waste: A World Bank tracker finds Nigeria among the top gas-flaring countries, with global flaring rising to 167 bcm in 2025 and 83% concentrated in just nine producers. Business & Credit: Optasia expands beyond consumer lending with its first merchant lending proposition, aiming to grow productive credit across markets including Congo-Brazzaville.

Energy & Markets: Oil prices slid as a US-Iran peace deal boosted supply expectations, reviving fears of a global crude glut and pushing OPEC+ to consider whether to curb output to defend prices. Fiscal Pressure: Falling crude expectations are already squeezing African oil-exporter budgets, with countries like Nigeria and the Republic of Congo facing weaker energy revenue and tougher financing conditions. Gas Flaring: A World Bank report says Nigeria and eight other countries drove 83%+ of global gas flaring in 2025, despite producing far less than their flare volumes suggest—highlighting a major efficiency and emissions challenge. Power Access & Investment: An IFC-backed firm plans a major electricity access push, including expansion spending across Nigeria and Congo, targeting the millions still without power. Oil Refining Dealmaking: Dangote Industries says its East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 bpd, and it’s also exploring a strategic partnership with Congo National Oil for refining and supply. Fintech for SMEs: Optasia is moving beyond consumer lending into merchant financing, aiming to close the MSME credit gap, with growth support reported in Congo-Brazzaville. Aviation & Tourism: Sierra Leone posted strong passenger growth, while the Republic of Congo saw a decline—an indicator of uneven regional connectivity. Business Environment: The Wilmington housing-fund fight is a reminder that local governance decisions can shape how quickly affordable housing and related services get funded.

Oil & Refining Deal: Dangote Industries says its planned East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 barrels per day, alongside 1.4 million bpd in Nigeria, lifting the group’s total refining capacity target to 2.1 million bpd; the announcement came during a visit by the Republic of Congo’s national oil company delegation to Dangote’s Lagos refinery on July 1. Energy Prices & Budgets: Falling oil-price expectations are starting to pressure African crude exporters’ government budgets, with Republic of Congo named among countries exposed to revenue swings as Brent retreats from wartime highs. Fintech for Business Credit: Optasia reports a shift from consumer lending toward merchant lending for MSMEs, launching its first merchant credit proposition across its footprint; the update cites strong contribution from its mobile financial services business, including growth in Congo-Brazzaville. Aviation & Tourism Demand: A World Bank Tourism Watch report highlights Republic of Congo’s estimated aviation passenger arrivals decline of 15% in Q1 2026, while several regional peers posted double-digit growth—an indicator for connectivity and travel demand. Local Economy Watch: With oil and credit in focus, the week also underscored how external shocks can quickly hit FX, public spending, and business financing across the region.

Oil & Budget Pressure: Falling oil price expectations are renewing pressure on African crude exporters, with Republic of Congo named among countries whose government budgets depend heavily on energy revenue. Energy Investment: Dangote Industries says its planned East Africa refinery in Kenya will process 700,000 barrels per day, lifting its Africa refining capacity target to 2.1 million bpd, with a Congo national oil company delegation involved. Fintech & Credit for MSMEs: Optasia reports strong momentum after launching merchant lending, with Congo-Brazzaville among markets driving growth and revenue expected to rise 50–60% in the first half. Regional Finance Policy: An IMF/BEAC dispute over central bank financing for productive investment highlights ongoing pressure on monetary and fiscal policy in the region. Humanitarian & Mobility: Repatriation of undocumented immigrants is intensifying at Musina centers in South Africa, with Congolese nationals among those processed. Business Climate Watch: Opec faces renewed questions on whether it must curb supply to support prices as a supply wave rekindles fears of a global crude glut.

Oil & Public Finance: Falling oil price expectations are squeezing budgets across African crude exporters, with Republic of Congo named among the countries most exposed as lower revenue hits foreign-exchange inflows and makes deficits harder to finance. Regional Monetary Policy: The IMF and BEAC are at odds over CEMAC’s special refinancing window, with BEAC suspending the tool after an IMF push to gradually eliminate it—an issue tied to how monetary policy should support productive investment. Ebola Response (Congo): A new clinical trial started July 2 to test treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, involving WHO and partners including Congo’s national research institute, with early figures showing hundreds of deaths and ongoing transmission. Energy Trading: Eni and Mercuria unveiled a 50-50 joint venture in Geneva to expand energy trading across oil, LPG, LNG and gas, with Eni also highlighting its Congo-linked export flows. Fintech Growth (Congo): Optasia shares jumped after a trading update showing microfinancing solutions now drive most revenue, with growth expected to continue in markets including the Republic of Congo.

Oil & Public Finance: Falling oil prices are squeezing African exporter budgets, with Republic of Congo named among countries facing weaker energy revenue, currency pressure and harder budget financing. Central Banking & IMF: BEAC has suspended its special refinancing window after an IMF push to gradually eliminate the tool that refines medium-term productive-investment loans—raising tensions over how monetary policy should support the real economy. Ebola Response: A WHO-backed clinical trial has started to test treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Congo, while a rapid antigen test race has narrowed to five manufacturers that could begin field trials in eastern Congo soon. Energy Trading: Eni and Mercuria unveiled a 50-50 joint venture in Geneva to expand energy trading across oil, LPG and LNG, leveraging Eni’s Congo-linked export flows. Local Business & Entrepreneurship: A Paris-based foodtech initiative is spotlighting Congo-linked women entrepreneurs in catering, while a family-run market stall story shows how Congolese-themed goods are finding customers through small-scale local retail.

Oil & Budgets: Falling oil price expectations are squeezing African crude exporters’ government budgets, with Republic of Congo named among the countries most exposed as weaker crude hits foreign-exchange inflows and makes deficits harder to finance. Central Banking Dispute: In CEMAC, the IMF is pushing for the gradual elimination of BEAC’s special refinancing window, a move that would shift how monetary policy supports productive investment in the region. Ebola Response in Congo: A new WHO-backed clinical trial has started to test treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, while a separate push is narrowing to five potential manufacturers for a rapid antigen test that could speed up field diagnosis. Energy Trading Deal: Eni and Mercuria unveiled a 50-50 energy trading joint venture based in Geneva, aiming to better monetize export flows and expand trading in oil, LNG and gas. Finance Growth Watch: JSE-listed Optasia shares jumped after a trading update, with growth in microfinancing across Ghana, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Republic of Congo.