AGP Executive Report

Disaster Response: A landslide at an illegal artisanal gold mine in Nambuangongo, Bengo, has killed at least 28 people, with four survivors rescued so far; Bengo Civil Protection says search and rescue is ongoing but hampered by difficult access and poor communications. Energy Dealmaking: Malaysia and Indonesia have approved the transfer of oil and gas assets into Petronas–Eni’s new SEARAH joint venture, covering 19 assets and set to start operations on July 1, with plans for $15bn+ investment and major new projects. Public Health Watch: Africa CDC warns that 10 countries—including Kenya and Angola—are at high risk of Ebola spread as outbreaks continue in DRC and Uganda, citing delayed detection and symptoms masked by other diseases. Angola Development: Namibia and Angola signed a statistics cooperation MoU to modernize data systems, while the CuvKun water security project reports progress on studies, early warning work, and pilot site planning.

Oil & Gas Momentum: Afentra says it’s pushing onshore and offshore exploration in Angola, targeting FID by end-2026/early 2027 and “first oil” by end-2027, with drilling planned in the Kwanza Basin and on Block 3/24 after results from the Pacassa-SW well. Energy Infrastructure: Acrow inaugurated the first of 186 modular bridges under Angola’s financed Bridge Development Program in Luanda, with more structures set to expand road and rural connectivity. Water Security in the Region: Namibia and Angola’s Cuvelai–Kunene (CuvKun) project reports progress on studies, early-warning system design, and pilot site selection for community water resilience. Data & Governance: Angola’s National Statistics Institute and Namibia’s Statistics Agency signed an MoU to modernize statistics, including digital transformation and AI-enabled data systems. Maritime Enforcement: Namibia’s navy intercepted a foreign-flagged fishing vessel near Angola, with 22 crew facing court over alleged illegal fishing and permit violations.

Angola–Namibia Data Pact: Angola’s National Statistics Institute and Namibia’s Statistics Agency signed an MoU in Windhoek to upgrade statistical governance, national accounts, censuses and digital systems, with training and stronger data security. Maritime Enforcement: Namibia’s navy intercepted a foreign-flagged fishing vessel near the Angola border, seizing unreported catches and alleging permit violations; 22 crew members (including 4 Chinese nationals) face court. Oil & Gas Momentum: Afentra says it’s pushing onshore and offshore exploration in Angola, targeting FID by end-2026/early 2027 and first oil by end-2027, with drilling results expected by July. Infrastructure Push: Acrow inaugurated the first of 186 modular bridges under Angola’s financed bridge program, starting with a Luanda crossing linking Cacuaco and Mulenvos. Health Logistics Spotlight: Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada and surgeon Dr. Stephen Foster are expanding air-linked surgical outreach for Angola’s women affected by obstetric fistula. Stats Note: Coverage is dominated by regional policy, enforcement, and Angola energy/infrastructure updates.

Maternal Health Logistics: Mission Aviation Fellowship Canada and surgeon Dr. Stephen Foster are stepping up flights to reach women in remote Angola with obstetric fistula care, turning days of bush travel into about an hour of air access. Oil & Gas Momentum: Afentra says it will start Angola exploration by 2027 (aiming for FID by end-2026/early 2027) with onshore Kwanza Basin drilling and offshore work on multiple finds, while TotalEnergies keeps expanding its Angola offshore footprint and subsea partners push major export projects elsewhere. Infrastructure Push: Acrow inaugurated the first of 186 modular bridges in Luanda under Angola’s bridge development program, with more structures to follow. Energy Trade Pressure: Strait of Hormuz disruption is reshaping buyer behavior, lifting interest in alternative supply regions including West Africa. Labor Rights Watch: A Farm Line class-action ruling in the U.S. could reshape forced-labor work conditions at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Education & Skills: Trine University reports multiple Angola-linked student degree completions, alongside broader regional student accolades.

Upstream Push in Angola: Afentra says it’s moving toward onshore and offshore exploration to lift output, with a decision on up to three Block 3/24 offshore discoveries expected by end-2026 or early 2027 and a target of first oil by end-2027; the plan also hinges on results from the Pacassa-SW well (drilling now, results due by July) and a follow-up at Impala, while Afentra looks again at Kwanza Basin prospects last explored in the 1980s. Infrastructure Rollout: Acrow has inaugurated the first of 186 modular bridges for Angola’s financed Bridge Development Program in Luanda, with more structures to follow to connect communities and expand rural mobility. Logistics Expansion: Kaleido Logistics integrates IFS South Africa into its network, strengthening corridor coverage across Angola, Namibia, Mozambique and now South Africa. Energy Trade Pressure: Angola’s envoy to South Korea says Sonangol can direct more spot crude cargoes to Korea to ease supply stress from Middle East disruptions, with longer-term cooperation possible. Maritime Governance Watch: Namibia faces renewed scrutiny over illegal fishing enforcement after a vessel was intercepted near the Angola border, with stakeholders warning penalties aren’t deterring repeat offenders.

Infrastructure Push: Acrow says the first of 186 financed modular bridges for Angola was inaugurated in Luanda on 8 May, with a 134.11m, two-lane span over the Mulenvos River linking Cacuaco and Mulenvos, built with Conduril and installed by trained Angolan teams. Capital Markets: Dubai-based Averi Finance is in talks with South Africa’s Mantengu Ltd for a reverse takeover aimed at a Johannesburg listing, with Mantengu set to issue 650m new shares and transfer oil & gas, renewables and digital projects; Averi would hold 66.7% post-deal. Energy Trade Shock: With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, Angola’s envoy to South Korea says Sonangol can redirect spot crude cargoes to ease Seoul’s supply worries, potentially opening longer-term cooperation. STEM Workforce: ExxonMobil affiliates and Junior Achievement Nigeria launched the third STEM Africa Initiative in Abuja, targeting confidence and career pathways for students across Africa. Ongoing Tensions: Separate coverage keeps spotlighting US pressure on Cuba and the wider geopolitical strain feeding energy and food risks.

Food Security Shock: WFP warns COVID-19 could nearly double acute hunger to 265 million people by end-2020, with Africa and the Middle East hit hardest as conflict, climate stress and economic strain collide. Energy & Trade Pressure: With the Strait of Hormuz still disrupted, Angola’s envoy says South Korea can tap more Angolan crude via spot cargoes, with talks aimed at longer-term cooperation through Sonangol links. Angola’s Corridor Momentum: Zambia’s Attorney-General launched a Japan-funded UNODC project to boost transparency and responsible business along the Lobito Corridor, tying Angola–DRC–Zambia trade to a more investor-friendly environment. Southern Africa Industry Push: Schneider Electric appoints a new Southern Africa segment director as green hydrogen and digital upgrades gather pace in Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Health in Conflict Zones: WHO says Ebola in eastern DRC is worsening as fighting disrupts surveillance and care, with displacement and mining-area movement raising spread risks.

Southern Africa-China Learning Push: Tanzania launched a Xi Jinping-inspired research centre for poverty reduction at the Mwalimu Nyerere Leadership School in Kibaha, with leaders from six liberation movements including Angola’s MPLA, South Africa’s ANC, Namibia’s SWAPO, Mozambique’s FRELIMO and Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF set to study China’s development and welfare model. Energy Security Under Hormuz Pressure: Angola’s envoy to South Korea says Sonangol can redirect more crude via spot cargoes to ease Seoul’s Middle East-linked supply stress, with talks aimed at longer-term cooperation. Regional Marine Governance: Angola, Namibia and South Africa approved a five-year plan to strengthen sustainable management of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, focusing on biodiversity, monitoring and fighting illegal fishing. Health Shock in DRC: The Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is worsening amid conflict, with WHO warning displacement and mining-area movement are raising spread risks. Finance for Growth: MIGA plans to more than double Africa guarantees to $6.4bn over 3.5 years to unlock up to $23bn in private investment.

Port & Trade Build-Out: AD Ports Group just awarded three contracts worth AED 735 million (US$200m) for the Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in Congo—marine and topside works plus ship-to-shore and yard cranes—aimed at turning Pointe-Noire into a modern Central/West Africa container gateway. Energy Security Watch: Indian Oil says it’s keeping crude inventories above a month and managing LPG availability nationwide by diversifying supply after Hormuz disruptions—pricing, not supply, is the key issue. Skills for Industry: JA Africa and the ExxonMobil Foundation launched STEM Africa 2.0, adding AI-focused pathways for 4,000 more students aged 14–17 across Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria. Regional Ocean Governance: Angola, Namibia and South Africa approved a five-year Benguela Current marine protection plan in Luanda, targeting illegal fishing, data sharing and a stronger blue economy. Investment Mobilisation: MIGA plans to more than double Africa guarantees to $6.4bn annually over 3.5 years to unlock about $23bn in private investment.

STEM Push: Junior Achievement Africa and the ExxonMobil Foundation launched the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Program (“STEM Africa 2.0”), adding AI learning pathways for 4,000 more students aged 14–17 across Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria, building on a partnership that already reached 10,000+ learners. Trade Corridor Governance: Angola-linked Lobito Corridor momentum continues as Zambia’s Attorney General launched a Japan-funded UNODC project to boost transparency, efficiency and responsible business conduct along the Zambia–Angola–DRC route. Ocean Protection: Benguela Current Convention ministers meeting in Luanda approved a five-year plan to strengthen marine protection, data sharing and action against illegal fishing across Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Energy Pressure Signals: India Oil reported LPG revenue losses widening in May as Hormuz disruption tightens supply, while OPEC cut its 2026 oil demand growth outlook on slower advanced-economy consumption. Local Industry & Skills: Botswana and Angola joined the World Federation of Diamond Bourses as lab-grown competition rises, and Angola’s youth skills pipeline got another boost with STEM and AI-focused education initiatives.

Maritime Governance: Angola’s fisheries and marine resources minister, Carmen Van-Dúnem do Sacramento Neto, took over the Benguela Current Convention chairmanship as the BCC approved a new regional strategic action plan to curb illegal fishing and push a sustainable “blue economy” across Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Port & Trade Build-Out: AD Ports Group awarded three contracts worth AED 735 million for the Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in Congo, including marine/land works and crane supply, aiming to lift container capacity as regional cargo grows. Energy Diplomacy: Angola-Qatar ties are “clearly positive,” with the ambassador pointing to expanding cooperation in energy, agriculture, logistics and education. Downstream Tension (Context): Nigeria’s Dangote refinery is again challenging petrol import licences in court, keeping competition and supply-security debates hot across the region. Cyber Risk: Africa’s financial and government sectors faced rising cyber pressure in April, with Angola and Nigeria among the most attacked in EMEA.

Tourism Deal-Making: Chinese and African tourism operators used Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban to line up new partnerships, pushing easier visas, tailored products, and deeper travel cooperation as destinations chase China’s growing outbound market. Cyber Pressure: Africa’s financial and government sectors are facing rising cyber attacks, with Angola and Nigeria among the hardest hit in recent monitoring. Energy Finance Push: Business leaders at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali urged unlocking local capital—especially for natural gas projects—to strengthen energy sovereignty and reduce exposure to oil-price shocks. Ports & Marine Security: AD Ports Group awarded three contracts worth AED 735m for the Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in Congo, while Angola’s leadership in the Benguela Current Convention advanced a new regional marine protection plan. Angola Diplomacy: Angola and Qatar signaled a “clearly positive” new phase of cooperation across energy, logistics, agriculture, and education. Regional Trade Context: Namport reported cross-border cargo dominance by South Africa and Zambia, reinforcing Angola’s wider gateway role.

Luanda Hosts Africa’s Finance Spotlight: The Africa Financial Summit (AFIS) is set for November 3–4, 2026 in Luanda, the first edition in Southern Africa and a Lusophone hub, with organisers targeting 1,250+ banking, insurance, fintech, regulators, investors and pension players to focus on financing African economies, integration, and digital transformation. Cyber Pressure on Finance: Africa’s financial services and government were hit hardest in April 2026, with Angola and Nigeria leading the region’s attack intensity, underscoring the cost of rapid digitisation. Fuel Import Fight in Nigeria: Depot owners and marketers are pushing back against Dangote’s latest court move over petrol import licences, reopening the wider downstream licensing and local refining debate. Angola in Energy Talks: Bangladesh is inviting an Angolan technical team to negotiate a long-term G2G energy cooperation MoU, citing Angola’s crude output and expanding refining and LNG plans. Regional Energy Reliance: Namibia’s power mix remains heavily dependent on Angola’s Ruacana hydro flow, with imports rising when water levels fall.

Energy Diplomacy: Bangladesh has invited an Angolan technical team to Dhaka to kick off formal talks on a long-term government-to-government energy cooperation deal, with Angola highlighting crude output of about 1.1m bpd and LNG plus new refinery plans. Fuel Politics: Kenya’s Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi defended the G-to-G fuel import framework, saying critics are politicising reforms and urging them to take issues directly to the ministry. Oil Spill Compensation: Trinidad and Tobago says it has recovered just over $61m from the IOPC for the Gulfstream spill, far below the $86.3m offer, with further claims due by Feb 2027. Maritime Rerouting: With Hormuz disruption reshaping trade routes, West Africa is seeing a surge in refuelling and logistics demand, including new marine fuel expansion into Mauritania. Urban Agenda: At WUF13 in Baku, UN-Habitat leaders and Azerbaijan’s coordinator stressed sustainable, renewable-focused infrastructure and housing investment.

Hormuz Shock Spurs West Africa Fuel Rush: With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, shipping is rerouting around Africa, driving a surge in marine fuel demand and pushing global bunker firms deeper into West Africa, including Minerva Bunkering expanding into Mauritania’s Nouadhibou and Nouakchott. Angola-Bangladesh Energy Talks: Bangladesh has invited an Angolan technical team to Dhaka to negotiate a long-term G2G energy cooperation MoU, citing Angola’s ~1.1m bpd crude output, planned refineries, and LNG and gas field development. Oil-Price Politics, Not Just Prices: A new report argues decades of oil extraction across countries including Angola and Nigeria haven’t cut poverty or delivered broad growth, while volatility keeps households exposed. Regional Power Moves: At the Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda, UAE trade minister Thani Al Zeyoudi stressed investment in logistics, infrastructure and manufacturing—while Angola’s energy diplomacy and regional connectivity themes keep stacking up. Cuba Pressure Ripples Globally: US moves targeting oil-linked support for Cuba are again in focus, underscoring how energy flows are becoming a geopolitical lever.

UAE-Africa Business Push: UAE foreign trade minister Thani Al Zeyoudi used the 2026 CEO Forum Africa in Rwanda to pitch long-term investment in Africa’s logistics, physical and digital infrastructure, and manufacturing—while holding bilateral talks with Rwanda, Botswana and Nigeria. Angola Energy Diplomacy: Bangladesh is moving toward a long-term government-to-government energy deal with Angola, inviting an Angolan technical team to Dhaka to negotiate an MoU as both sides discuss Angola’s crude output and refinery and LNG expansion plans. Oil Price Pressure Context: A new report argues Nigeria and other producers have not translated decades of oil extraction into broad-based development, while still facing volatility and importing costly refined fuels. Regional Power Link: Namibia’s electricity risk is tied to Ruacana’s water flow from Angola—imports surged when local generation fell, then eased as Angola-fed flows improved. Mining Policy Signal: Angola says it will avoid export quotas or bans and instead focus on creating conditions for mining firms to build local factories. Sports Spotlight: Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF final hopes hinge on Colombian striker Brayan Leon’s scoring form ahead of the first leg.