AGP Executive Report

EBID Funding Push: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved US$101m for Sierra Leone and Guinea—US$79.389m for a new 225kV/66kV power transmission network in Sierra Leone, and US$21.808m for Guinea’s Digital Atlas and National Development Observatory to modernise governance with geospatial planning. Ebola Alarm in DRC: The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is proving hard to contain, with WHO warning about the scale and speed and noting the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment; the situation is also complicated by violence and insecurity and rapid case growth. Public Health Spillover: A separate hantavirus scare tied to a cruise ship off Cape Verde was rapidly identified with help from Institut Pasteur de Dakar, showing how lab networks can move fast when outbreaks hit. Regional Agriculture Risk: A new East Africa initiative targets reducing dangerous pesticide dependence, aiming to shift smallholders toward safer agroecological farming. Maritime Security Momentum: Nigeria’s Deep Blue push continues—training and operations are being framed around zero piracy incidents for four years, while the region debates how to modernise ports and logistics.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: The WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is spreading fast, with more than 170 deaths and about 750 infections suspected, and warns the real size may be far bigger as monitoring improves—complicating factors include violence, insecurity, and a lack of vaccines or targeted treatments for this rare strain. Public Health Lessons: Ebola survivor Patrick Faley’s account of community outreach and banning risky mourning practices echoes the current push for early detection, contact tracing, and safer burials. Hantavirus Parallel: A separate Andes hantavirus scare tied to a cruise ship has triggered rapid lab work in Senegal, with other labs in South Africa and Switzerland matching results. Maritime Security Push: Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project says it has held zero piracy incidents for four years, after graduating 492 trained maritime security personnel, while South Africa’s navy chief warns budget cuts are straining border protection. Ports & Trade: West and Central Africa’s port leaders are again calling for deep-sea upgrades and faster digital systems to stay competitive.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: WHO chief Tedros says he’s “deeply concerned” about the scale and speed of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, after suspected deaths jumped to 134 and cases to 500+—with the virus spreading into urban areas, killing health workers, and moving fast amid population displacement; the outbreak has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, but Bundibugyo still has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment, making early detection and contact tracing the main tools. Hantavirus Lab Breakthrough: In parallel, a Senegal lab at Institut Pasteur de Dakar helped identify a cruise-ship hantavirus case as the Andes strain within 24 hours, showing how regional networks can speed up outbreak response. Maritime Security Push: Nigeria’s Deep Blue effort says it has held zero piracy incidents for four years, graduating 492 trained maritime security personnel, while port leaders warn Africa can’t grow without modern ports. Digital Finance in Liberia: Lonestar Cell MTN and BnB expand cross-border mobile money access with new community activations.

Public Health Emergency: WHO is sounding the alarm over a fast-moving, rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, with reports of at least 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases as the virus spreads into urban areas and health workers are among the victims. Cross-Border Lab Response: In a separate virus story, a Senegal lab at Institut Pasteur de Dakar helped WHO identify a stranded cruise-ship hantavirus case as the Andes strain within 24 hours—showing how regional research networks can speed up containment. Digital Finance Push (Liberia): Lonestar Cell MTN and BnB are expanding cross-border mobile money access and running new community activations in Monrovia to deepen trust in digital payments. Blue Economy & Maritime Security (Nigeria): Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project is graduating 492 maritime security personnel, while officials say the country has recorded zero piracy incidents for four years. Ports Modernisation: Regional maritime leaders warn Africa can’t compete globally with outdated ports, urging investment in deep-sea capacity and tech upgrades.

Ebola Alarm (DR Congo): WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned” about the “scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, after suspected deaths jumped to at least 134 and suspected cases passed 500; the virus spread undetected for weeks because teams initially tested for a more common Ebola type, and it has no approved vaccine or treatment. Public Health Policy (US): The US is tightening entry rules for travelers exposed to Ebola and hantavirus, raising rights concerns and fears it could discourage volunteers. Maritime Security (Gulf of Guinea): Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu will launch an AU combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea in June, with the force based in Lagos. Ports & Trade (West Africa): Nigeria’s ports chief says the country handles over 70% of cargo for West and Central Africa, while regional leaders push deep-sea upgrades and digital systems to handle bigger vessels. Environment (Ghana): Coastal communities in Ghana report warming seas are worsening fish declines, adding to the mystery of dying fish.

Ebola Emergency Escalates in DR Congo: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned about the scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, after suspected deaths climbed to at least 134 and suspected cases topped 500; the virus spread undetected for weeks because early tests targeted the wrong Ebola strain, and Congo has no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for Bundibugyo. Health Response Under Strain: WHO is sending experts and Congo plans new treatment centers in Ituri as cases appear in urban areas and population movement complicates contact tracing and safe burials. Nigeria Ports Push: In Lagos, NIMASA/NPA-linked maritime updates highlight Nigeria’s dominance in regional cargo—over 70%—and renewed security capacity, including Deep Blue training and a four-year run of zero piracy incidents. Diplomacy: Haiti officially reopened its embassy in Benin, signaling renewed ties in West Africa.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned” about the “scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, where suspected deaths have jumped to at least 134 and suspected cases are above 500; the virus spread undetected for weeks after early tests targeted the wrong strain, and it has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. Border-Spread Worries: Health officials point to urban cases, deaths of healthcare workers, and major population movement, while neighboring Uganda has reported a death linked to travel from Congo and WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Maritime Security Win: Nigeria’s NIMASA says the country has recorded zero piracy attacks for four years, citing training under the Deep Blue project. Diplomacy in Motion: Haiti officially reopened its embassy in Benin, signaling renewed ties. Health Capacity Push: Merck Foundation says it has funded 2,600+ medical scholarships across 52 countries.

Ebola Alarm: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned” about the “scale and speed” of eastern DR Congo’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, after Congo reported at least 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases, with cases emerging in urban areas and among healthcare workers; the virus has no approved medicines or vaccines, and officials say “patient zero” hasn’t been found. Response Rush: Congo is preparing more treatment centers and WHO is sending experts as authorities investigate whether deaths are truly linked to Ebola, after the outbreak spread undetected for weeks when teams tested for the wrong strain. Maritime Security: Nigeria’s NIMASA says it’s strengthening inter-agency cooperation to keep territorial waters secure, citing zero piracy incidents for four years. Trade Push: Nigeria also renewed its push to expand deep-sea ports and position itself as a West and Central Africa logistics hub, amid warnings of regional port shortages.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned” about the “scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo, after suspected deaths jumped to at least 134 and suspected cases topped 500, with spread into urban areas and healthcare-worker deaths raising fears as “patient zero” remains unclear. Why It’s Hard to Stop: Reports say the virus circulated undetected for weeks because early tests targeted the wrong Ebola type, and Congo has no approved medicines or vaccines for Bundibugyo—though officials say they’re expecting an experimental vaccine shipment. Border Watch: WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, while experts warn countries like the UK to tighten screening as cases are also reported in Uganda. Wildlife Trade Risk: Separate analysis flags that Hong Kong and Singapore imported over a million live birds from Africa since 2006, with weak export rules blamed for biodiversity loss and disease spillover. Guinea/Region Tech & Trade: Nigeria pushes port expansion to cut regional bottlenecks, and Guinea’s Babacar Ndiaye Trophy coverage spotlights Simandou-linked infrastructure ambitions.

Ebola Emergency Escalates in Congo: Congo is opening three new Ebola treatment centers in Ituri as the WHO declares the Bundibugyo outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with reports of nearly 120 deaths and hundreds of suspected cases across Ituri and North Kivu, plus a case reaching Uganda—health officials warn the virus spread undetected for weeks after early tests targeted the wrong strain. Border Watch: UK experts are urging tighter traveller screening, while WHO stresses countries should not panic-close borders. Maritime Push in Nigeria: In Lagos, Nigeria’s marine minister says deep-sea port upgrades and reforms aim to make the country the West and Central Africa logistics hub, citing over $27bn in regional port projects underway. Business & Tech: CMB.TECH posted Q1 2026 results, and a Milan construction-tech startup, Pillar, is drawing attention for using LinkedIn-style momentum to raise funding.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, as suspected cases climb to nearly 500 and deaths to 116, with a Bundibugyo strain driving the spread and no strain-specific vaccine or drugs available. Cross-Border Alarm: CDC says an American infected in the DRC will be taken to Germany, while others are headed there for observation, and the WHO warns the outbreak could be much larger despite not meeting “pandemic emergency” criteria. Health System Strain: Reports point to earlier “blind spots” and weak surveillance amid conflict and fast-moving mining communities, raising fears of urban and regional spread. Security Update: In parallel, US and Nigerian forces carried out coordinated airstrikes in Borno, killing 20+ ISIS militants after a top commander death. Tech & Industry: Milan’s Pillar raised €15.2m to digitize Europe’s construction back office, while Nigeria’s ports push continues under Oyetola’s reforms. Public Health Watch: A separate hantavirus story is still rattling headlines after findings that the virus may persist in semen for years.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the Congo outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after Bundibugyo Ebola killed at least 80 people in DR Congo’s Ituri province and spread across borders, with a confirmed case and death reported in Uganda; the strain is rare and has no targeted vaccine, and health agencies warn that hundreds of suspected cases could grow fast as mining towns and cross-border travel complicate containment. Health System Pressure: Africa CDC says lab confirmation is still catching up, with only a small number of cases confirmed so far, and urges rapid contact tracing and border surveillance—while officials stress the equity gap in access to medicines and vaccines. Other Outbreak Watch: The week also kept attention on hantavirus concerns after a study suggested it can persist in semen for years, adding to the broader “public health risk” drumbeat. Wildlife Trade Risk: Separately, a report flags massive live-bird imports into Asia over 15 years, with Africa as a major source—raising disease-spread worries.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the new Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, moving fast—while stressing it’s not a “pandemic emergency” and urging countries not to shut borders. Cross-Border Pressure: The outbreak is centered on Ituri’s mining areas (Mongwalu and Rwampara) with hundreds of suspected cases and dozens of deaths, and at least one case has reached Uganda. Health Response Reality: With no strain-specific vaccine available yet, containment is being tested by conflict, mobility, and fragile local systems. New Health Twist: Separate research is reviving concerns about long-term virus survival in semen—after a hantavirus study found genetic traces up to six years post-recovery—adding pressure to update survivor guidance. Maritime Tech: In parallel, the U.S. Navy showcased unmanned surface vessels in Cameroon, signaling more rapid coastal security cooperation with African partners.

Global Health Emergency: WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a public health emergency of international concern, while stressing it’s not a “pandemic emergency” and urging countries not to shut borders. Numbers Rising Fast: Africa CDC says there are 336 suspected cases and 87 deaths, with the outbreak centered on mining towns in Ituri and one case reported in Uganda. No Vaccine Yet: Officials say the latest strain has no vaccine available, and early lab results suggest a non-Zaire strain as sequencing continues. Border Risk: Health teams are pushing cross-border surveillance with DRC, Uganda and partners as population movement and insecurity could accelerate spread. Tech & Security Elsewhere: Nigeria is also moving to deploy AI and anti-drone tech for military operations, while a new high-capacity Atlantic subsea cable plan targets more resilient connectivity across West Africa.

Public Health Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening fast—Africa CDC says 87 deaths and 336 suspected cases in Ituri, with one fatal case reported in Uganda and health officials tracing spread from mining towns Mongwalu and Rwampara; a new strain is suspected and vaccine access remains a major gap. Cross-Border Security: In Nigeria’s Sokoto, US and Nigerian forces killed a senior ISIS commander in a coordinated strike, signaling deeper US counterterrorism involvement in West Africa. Connectivity Push: A new Atlantic high-capacity subsea cable plan (“Via Africa”) aims to boost resilience and bandwidth diversity across West Africa, with landings from Europe down the Atlantic corridor. Health Science Watch: A study warns hantavirus may persist in semen for up to six years, raising long-term sexual transmission concerns. Digital/Defense Tech: Nigeria is moving to modernize with AI surveillance and anti-drone systems, plus command-and-control centers.

Ebola Emergency in Congo: Africa CDC says a new Ebola outbreak is confirmed in DR Congo’s Ituri province, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases reported, and only four deaths so far lab-linked; tests are also expected within 24 hours to identify the virus type as response teams coordinate across borders amid insecurity and heavy population movement. Connectivity Push: A new high-capacity Atlantic subsea cable plan, Via Africa, is moving into its first development phase, aiming to boost Europe–Africa bandwidth diversity and resilience with landing points across the UK, France, Portugal and links through Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. Health Warning Beyond Recovery: A study on hantavirus raises new sexual-transmission concerns, finding the virus can persist in semen for up to six years after infection. Security Tech in Nigeria: Nigeria’s defence ministry says it’s integrating AI and anti-drone tech to modernise surveillance and border protection. Opioid Crisis Watch: Reports say high-strength tapentadol tablets from India are still reaching West Africa, fueling the “zombie drug” kush problem.