AGP Executive Report

Senegal Power Shock: Ousmane Sonko has been elected Speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly in a rapid comeback after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him—an abrupt move that opposition leaders call an “institutional coup” and that deepens the ruling alliance’s split. Parliament Drama: Sonko secured 132 votes out of 165 as the previous Speaker El Malick Ndiaye stepped down and the opposition boycotted the session, triggering fresh constitutional debate. Tech & Society: Pope Leo XIV used his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, to warn about AI-era exploitation and called the Vatican’s role in legitimising slavery a “wound in Christian memory.” Digital Infrastructure: Orange and partners signed on to Via Africa, a 20,000km subsea cable route linking Europe to West Africa (including Senegal) to boost connectivity resilience. Health Innovation: Ghana hosts HIFest 2026 (June 4–6) to back homegrown health startups across West Africa and beyond.

Senegal Power Shock: Ousmane Sonko has surged back into the spotlight, winning election as Speaker of the National Assembly just days after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed him—deepening a rift inside the ruling PASTEF camp and triggering constitutional debate as the opposition boycotted the vote. Parliament Crisis: The previous speaker, El Malick Ndiaye, stepped down to clear the path, while legal experts and critics argue Sonko’s reinstatement may breach Senegal’s rules. AI Ethics Push: Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, links modern exploitation to the AI era and issues a historic apology for the Vatican’s role in legitimising slavery. Digital Economy Moves: Cameroon is tightening the fiscal side of app-based transport, reinforcing a simplified 1% tax for digital platform revenues. Health Sovereignty: Africa’s vaccine manufacturing push keeps gaining momentum, with the AU aiming for 60% local vaccine production by 2040.

Senegal Politics: Senegal’s parliament speaker El Malick Ndiaye has resigned, clearing the way for Ousmane Sonko to move toward the top parliamentary role—just days after Sonko was fired as prime minister—setting up a fresh vote in parliament that could further complicate President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s reform push. Digital Infrastructure: Orange and partners have signed on to Via Africa, a new 20,000km subsea cable linking Europe to West Africa and extending south, aiming to cut outage risk and strengthen connectivity for countries including Senegal. Health Innovation: Ghana hosts Health Innovation Festival 2026 (June 4–6), bringing together Senegal and other African teams to back homegrown health solutions. Global Ethics & Tech: Pope Leo XIV issued a historic apology for the Vatican’s role in legitimising slavery, tying it to modern exploitation risks in the AI era. Business Mobility: Tata Motors showcased its broadest commercial vehicle lineup in Cape Town, including new electric and bus models for African markets.

Senegal Politics: Senegal’s parliament speaker El Malick Ndiaye has resigned, triggering a fresh scramble as Ousmane Sonko moves closer to taking the top legislative role—amid a deepening crisis after Sonko was fired as prime minister. Vatican Apology: Pope Leo XIV issued a historic apology for the Holy See’s role in legitimising slavery, calling it “a wound in Christian memory” in his first encyclical, while linking past exploitation to new forms of harm in the AI era. Ebola Watch: WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda is now a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with insecurity and lack of a licensed vaccine for this strain complicating containment. Connectivity Boost: Orange is pushing a 20,000km subsea cable project, Via Africa, aiming to cut outage risk and strengthen Africa-Europe internet links. Mobility Tech: Tata Motors showcased an 11-vehicle commercial lineup in Cape Town, including new electric models and the Ultra Prime RE midi bus.

Senegal Politics: Senegal’s parliament speaker El Malick Ndiaye has resigned, deepening the crisis after Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was fired—setting up a fresh fight over who leads the assembly and how far President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s reforms can move. Public Health: The WHO has declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency, highlighting a painful vaccine gap and how fast spread can outpace preparedness. Tech & Research in Senegal: A Reuters report spotlights Institut Pasteur de Dakar’s role in identifying the Andes strain of hantavirus from a stranded cruise ship near Cape Verde—another reminder that local lab capacity can matter globally. Pan-African Business: The Africa CEO Forum in Kigali wrapped with nearly $2bn in deals, while Senegal’s Abdoulaye Ndiaye won a NextGen Economist prize for research aimed at tackling unemployment, informality, and debt pressures. Africa Tech Governance: A new analysis warns AI is making authoritarian control cheaper across Africa, including Senegal, by accelerating surveillance and weakening reform before it starts.

Senegal Politics: Senegal’s parliament speaker El Malick Ndiaye has resigned, deepening the country’s political crisis after Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko was fired—setting up a Tuesday session to reinstate Sonko as an MP and elect a new speaker, potentially reshaping President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s reform push. Health Watch: In Congo, authorities have banned funeral wakes and large gatherings as Ebola fears surge; WHO says the risk is now “very high,” with cases likely far higher than confirmed. Digital & Finance: Senegal’s tech ecosystem stays in focus as AI-enabled surveillance spending across Africa draws scrutiny, while cross-border mobile money partnerships (including MTN-linked services in Liberia) keep expanding access. World Cup Buzz: World Cup fever is building in Toronto with community soccer activations and ticket excitement—just 19 days to kickoff. Africa Business: The Africa CEO Forum in Kigali wrapped with nearly $2bn in deals, spotlighting shared ownership and scaling African companies.

Africa NextGen Economist Prize: Senegalese economist Abdoulaye Ndiaye won the first Africa NextGen Economist Prize in Kigali, recognized for research on public finance, informality, unemployment insurance, and sovereign debt—aimed at turning better economic thinking into real policy. Ebola Response in Congo: Congo has tightened public health measures, banning large funeral gatherings as WHO raises the outbreak risk to “very high,” while aid groups warn the situation is moving fast and supplies are still short. AI and Governance: A new report argues AI is making authoritarian control cheaper across parts of Africa—especially where surveillance systems, weak courts, and opaque procurement already exist. Digital Health Lab Network: Senegal’s Institut Pasteur de Dakar helped identify a deadly hantavirus strain from a cruise ship case near Cape Verde within 24 hours, showing how regional lab capacity can speed outbreak containment. E-commerce Logistics: Coverage highlights how African online shopping is reshaping delivery—moving warehouses closer to cities and organizing informal riders into coordinated networks, with Dakar, Lagos, and others leading the shift.

Senegal–Morocco Football Fallout: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has pardoned 18 Senegalese fans jailed for hooliganism during a chaotic AFCON final, citing “humanitarian reasons” and long-standing fraternal ties—ending a case that began with prison terms of up to a year. Ebola Response in Congo: Eastern Congo authorities have banned funeral wakes and gatherings over 50 as a rare Ebola strain spreads faster than reported; WHO says the global risk is still low, but the situation in-country is “very high,” with supplies and isolation space stretched thin. AI and Governance: A new report warns AI is making authoritarian control cheaper in Africa, with at least 11 governments spending over $2bn on AI-enabled smart-city surveillance. Agriculture Safety Push: A regional East Africa project is set to launch in Dar es Salaam to cut dependence on highly hazardous pesticides and promote safer agroecological pest control for smallholders. Digital Economy Angle: Coverage also highlights how Africa’s e-commerce logistics are evolving around local realities, not imported models.

Ebola Crackdown in Congo: Congo has banned funeral wakes and gatherings of more than 50 people as the WHO upgraded the outbreak risk to “very high,” confirming 82 cases and 7 deaths but warning the situation is “much larger,” with 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths and supplies rushing to Ituri. Global Health Pressure: The WHO says the risk of spread worldwide is still low, but aid groups report shortages of staff and protective gear while armed groups threaten response efforts. Senegal Tech Spotlight: ITU has pledged support for Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” aiming to lift digital GDP to 15% and create 150,000 jobs by 2034. Digital Finance Expansion: Lonestar Cell MTN and BnB are expanding cross-border mobile money access across Liberia and multiple countries. Research-to-Response: A Senegal lab at Institut Pasteur de Dakar helped identify the Andes strain of hantavirus from a cruise ship case, showing how regional sequencing capacity can speed outbreak detection.

Ebola Response Tightens in Congo: Congo has banned funeral wakes and gatherings over 50 people as a rare Ebola outbreak accelerates, with WHO upgrading the risk to “very high” locally while stressing global risk stays low. Authorities say the outbreak is likely much larger than reported, with suspected cases and deaths rising and supplies being rushed to Ituri amid displacement and armed-group threats. India-Africa Summit Delayed: India and the AU postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, citing the evolving health situation in parts of Africa and aiming to keep African leaders fully engaged. Senegal in the Spotlight for Outbreak Science: A Reuters report highlights how Senegal’s Institut Pasteur de Dakar helped identify the Andes strain of hantavirus within 24 hours during a cruise-ship scare near Cape Verde. Digital Finance Across Borders: Lonestar Cell MTN and BnB expanded co-branded community activations in Liberia to deepen trust and access to cross-border mobile money. Tech Policy Push: ITU pledged support for Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” targeting 15% digital GDP and 150,000 jobs by 2034.

Ebola Response Crisis: Eastern Congo’s rare Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with aid groups warning they’re still “far from” control as healthcare workers report shortages of supplies, staff, and isolation space; the WHO says global risk is low but the scale and speed are worrying, and India has postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi due to the evolving health situation. Regional Security & Health: The outbreak is unfolding amid armed-group threats and displacement, complicating detection and care, while Uganda reports linked cases. Digital Finance Expansion: In Liberia, Lonestar Cell MTN and BnB are extending cross-border mobile money access via MTN’s USSD platform, adding community activations to deepen trust in digital finance. Maritime Modernisation Push: Nigeria’s ports chief Abubakar Dantsoho says Africa can’t grow with obsolete infrastructure, calling for deep-sea ports, tech, and investment. Senegal Tech Boost: The ITU pledges support for Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” targeting 15% digital GDP and 150,000 jobs by 2034.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: Eastern Congo’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is accelerating, with aid groups and healthcare workers saying they’re still underprotected and undertrained as armed groups threaten response efforts; WHO warns of “scale and speed,” and the outbreak has already triggered a public health emergency, with cases and deaths rising and “patient zero” still not found. India-Africa Summit Hit by Health Fears: India postponed the India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi, citing the evolving health situation in parts of Africa and pledging support via Africa CDC efforts. Senegal’s Digital Push Gets International Backing: The ITU has pledged support for Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” aiming to grow the digital sector to 15% of GDP and create 150,000 jobs by 2034, as Senegal doubles down on smart cities and digital sovereignty. Ports Modernisation Drive: West and Central Africa’s port leaders, including Nigeria’s NPA chief, warn that obsolete infrastructure is holding back growth and call for deep seaports and digital upgrades. Water Diplomacy: Ahead of the UAE-co-hosted 2026 UN Water Conference, Tajikistan is convening a major water security meeting in Dushanbe, highlighting growing Abu Dhabi–Dushanbe cooperation.

Ebola Emergency in Congo: Fears are surging in eastern Congo as a rare Ebola type (Bundibugyo) spreads fast, with WHO warning about the “scale and speed” of the outbreak; health workers in Bunia and treatment centers say they’re underprotected and undertrained, while masks and disinfectants have become scarce and costly, and the region’s armed-group violence is making response harder. Public Health Pressure: WHO says “patient zero” hasn’t been found and that the outbreak could last at least two more months, with cases and suspected deaths climbing and no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain. Senegal Digital Push: Senegal doubles down on tech-led growth with its New Deal Technologique, aiming for digital sovereignty and digitising 90% of public services by 2034. AI Talent Pipeline: MEST opens applications for its 2027 AI Startup Program, offering training and potential pre-seed funding up to $100,000. Nigeria Ports Investment: Nigeria clears five deep-sea port projects for investment to help reclaim cargo share and expand regional logistics.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: The WHO says a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is spreading with “scale and speed,” with confirmed cases rising and hundreds more suspected as health workers report being underprotected and undertrained. Senegal Smart-Cities Push: Senegal is betting big on digital growth, launching its “New Deal Technologique” roadmap to build digital sovereignty and digitise 90% of public services by 2034. AI Startup Pipeline: Applications are open for MEST Africa’s 2027 AI Startup Program, offering a fully funded training and incubation path with up to $100,000 pre-seed pitches. Climate Pressure on Housing: A new UNEP report warns building decarbonisation is slowing, even as buildings remain a major emissions source and face affordability shocks. World Cup Off-Field Buzz: England squad selection chatter and travel concerns dominate tournament updates, while visa barriers are affecting fan plans.

Ebola Alert in Congo: WHO chief Tedros says eastern Congo’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is spreading with “scale and speed,” after authorities reported 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases, with the virus spreading undetected for weeks due to early tests missing the strain; Congo is now opening three treatment centers and WHO is sending experts, but there are no approved vaccines or medicines yet. AI Skills Gap: A World Bank-linked analysis flags a widening mismatch between what African employers need and what young people can do, with weak early reading skills feeding later labour shortages. AI Adoption Map: Microsoft data shows Nigeria at 10.1% AI usage (below the global average), pointing to electricity, internet, and digital skills as bottlenecks. Senegal Tech & Trade: Senegal and Turkey regulators signed a telecom/digital cooperation deal, while Senegal’s banana sector cut import dependence to under 20% by 2025. Maritime Push (Nigeria): Nigeria is positioning ports as a regional logistics hub, with $27bn+ in projects cited across West and Central Africa.

Ebola Emergency: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is alarmed by the “scale and speed” of a rare Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, after authorities reported at least 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases, with spread likely going undetected for weeks because early tests targeted the wrong strain. Health Response: Congo is opening three new Ebola treatment centers in Ituri and WHO is sending experts, as officials say an American doctor is among newly confirmed cases. AI & Startups: Applications are open for MEST Africa’s 2027 AI Startup Program, offering a fully-funded 7-month build-and-mentor track plus incubation and up to $100,000 pitch support. Digital Adoption Gap: A Microsoft map shows AI use is far higher in places like the UAE and Singapore than in Nigeria, where adoption sits around 10.1%, blamed on electricity, internet, and skills gaps. Senegal Tech & Telecom: Senegal and Turkey regulators signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in telecommunications, digital services, and postal rules. Sports Tech Culture: A CAF Champions League final in Pretoria was hit by VAR malfunction and fan clashes, underscoring how tech and crowd control can collide in big matches.