AGP Executive Report

UN Spotlight for Gabon: Libreville is set to shape global diplomacy after taking the vice-presidency of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session, with Foreign Minister Marie-Édith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeny leading the delegation. Energy for Universities: AAKS Bros. Ventures met Delta State’s DIDA to propose a 60/40 energy partnership to replace diesel with solar plus storage for two state universities within 180 days. Maritime Governance vs Power: A new analysis argues ships and missiles don’t replace the “rules of the sea,” pointing to China’s growing influence through navigation systems, training, and fisheries procedures. Gabon–EU Fisheries Talks: Gabon has launched negotiations with the EU to renegotiate tuna fishing terms, aiming for stronger local benefits and more sustainable control of marine resources. Gabon Iboga Export Ban: A draft decree bans iboga and all derivatives exports, with penalties for violators. Gabon Gas Deal: Nigeria’s Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon to develop hydrocarbon blocks DEF-3 and D4-5, focusing on gas transport, compression and treatment for power and industry. Digital Finance Security: An ITU-backed lab initiative highlights how regulators can fight mobile money fraud and cybersecurity threats.

Gabon–EU Blue Economy Talks: Gabon has officially opened negotiations with the European Union to reshape its fisheries partnership, aiming to boost local fishing capacity and better capture value from tuna waters. Energy & Industry: Nigeria’s Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialize hydrocarbon reserves in DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with plans for gas transport, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and wider industry. Digital Finance Security: An ITU security lab initiative is helping regulators strengthen trust in mobile money as fraud tactics like SIM swaps and identity scams rise. Conservation Science: New research reports elephants around Mount Elgon “mix” medicinal plants for their calves, while gorilla conservation updates highlight major Ebola risks in the DRC. Policy Watch (Gabon): Gabon moves to ban iboga exports and its derivatives, with penalties planned. Local Economy Pressure: Gabon’s poultry ban on frozen chicken imports is set to start Jan 1, 2027, triggering a WTO dispute with the U.S. Global Spotlight: An FIU researcher working on dwarf crocodiles in Gabon will appear in National Geographic’s new “Africa: Earth’s Wild Home” series.

Gabon–U.S. Diplomacy: Baudelaire Ndong Ella presents credentials in Washington, with a push for American investment across hydrocarbon, mining, infrastructure, tourism, energy, and digital tech. Poultry Trade Shock: Libreville moves to ban frozen chicken imports from Jan 1, 2027, escalating a WTO dispute and raising questions about local farm capacity and household prices. Blue Economy Talks: Gabon launches negotiations with the EU to reshape fisheries terms, aiming for stronger local participation and better value from tuna resources. Energy Deal: Nigeria’s Oilserv signs an MoU with Gabon for hydrocarbon development in DEF-3 and D4-5, targeting gas transport, compression, treatment, and thermal power supply. Digital Finance Security: An ITU security lab initiative highlights how regulators can fight mobile money fraud and cyber threats. Conservation Science: New research reports elephants around Mount Elgon “mix” medicinal plants for their calves, using dozens of species. Food Security at Sea: A study warns foreign fishing fleets export nutrients, worsening micronutrient gaps in West Africa. Child Safety Online (Ghana): A call for a national framework to set a minimum age for independent social media access.

Gabon–EU Fisheries Talks: Libreville has officially moved to renegotiate its fisheries partnership with the European Union, aiming to strengthen local fishing capacity and push a more sovereign, sustainable “blue economy” deal. Gabon Energy Deal: Nigeria’s Oilserv Limited signed an MoU with Gabon to develop hydrocarbon blocks DEF-3 and D4-5, with gas transportation, compression and treatment infrastructure to feed thermal power and support industrial growth. Digital Finance Security: The ITU highlights how its security lab work is helping regulators and partners fight mobile money fraud and cyber threats, from identity scams to SIM swaps. Innovation in the Congo Basin: Congo Basin Innovation Days in Brazzaville selected 10 start-ups (from Congo, Gabon, DRC and Chad) for the Innovation Outre-Mer 11 competition in Paris. Gabon Iboga Export Ban: Gabon’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft decree banning iboga exports and derivatives, with penalties for individuals and companies. Maritime Security Tech: Nigeria’s Navy says it will use technology and tighter regional cooperation to curb illicit drug and arms smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea. Public Health: WHO warns dementia is rising across Africa, costing families and societies heavily and noting most countries lack national dementia plans.

Gabon–EU Fisheries Talks: Libreville has approved negotiations for a new fisheries partnership with the European Union, aiming to reshape tuna fishing rules and push more benefits toward local capacity and jobs. Gabon–Gas Infrastructure Deal: Nigeria’s Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon to develop hydrocarbon blocks DEF-3 and D4-5, with plans for gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and industrial growth. Gabon–US Diplomatic Boost: Baudelaire Ndong Ella presented credentials as ambassador to Washington, with a focus on economic diplomacy and cooperation in energy, mining, infrastructure, transport, tourism, and digital tech/AI. Gabon–Iboga Export Ban: Gabon adopted a draft decree banning iboga exports and all derivatives, with penalties for individuals and companies, tightening rules around access, use and traditional knowledge. Digital Finance Security: The ITU highlighted how its security lab work helps regulators and countries fight mobile money fraud and cybersecurity threats. Congo Basin Innovation: Congo Basin Innovation Days in Brazzaville shortlisted 10 start-ups from across the region for the Innovation Outre-Mer 11 push in Paris. Maritime Security Tech: Nigeria’s navy says it will use technology and stronger regional coordination to tackle illicit drug and arms smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea. Health Tech Focus: WHO warns dementia is rising across Africa, with major caregiver burdens and calls for national plans.

Energy & Consumer Tech: Castel Group’s Boissons du Cameroun has launched the Ferox energy drink in Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon, with locally produced taurine/caffeine and a Francis Ngannou ambassador push. Forestry & Trade: The Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum 2026 opened in Macau with 800+ guests and new international cooperation outcomes for the timber sector. Maritime Security Tech: Nigeria’s Navy says it will use technology and tighter regional coordination to fight illicit drugs and arms smuggling across the Gulf of Guinea. Forest Carbon Monitoring: A Nature Communications study using high-resolution satellite mapping reports Central African forests are now losing more carbon than they gain, challenging the “stable carbon sink” narrative. Gabon Iboga Regulation: Gabon’s Council of Ministers adopted a draft decree banning iboga exports and derivatives in any form, with penalties for violators. Child Safety Online (Policy): Ghana is urged to create a national framework for children under 16’s independent social media access, citing risks from cyberbullying to scams. Gabon Blue Economy: Libreville has moved to renegotiate its fisheries deal with the EU, aiming for stronger local capacity and fairer value for Gabon. Gas & Infrastructure Deal: Oilserv (Nigeria) signed an MoU with Gabon for hydrocarbon development in DEF-3 and D4-5, focusing on gas transport, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and industry. Digital Connectivity for Offshore: BW Offshore signed a five-year framework with Tampnet to connect its FPSO fleet for cloud-based offshore operations. Public Health Research: WHO says dementia is rising in Africa, with 1.9 million people affected and a $15.6B annual burden, while most countries lack national dementia plans. Land Digitalisation (Gabon): Gabon is advancing a more secure, computerised land and cadastral system to improve traceability and reduce duplicate land claims.

Gabon Energy Deal: Oilserv Limited (Nigeria) signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialise hydrocarbon reserves in the DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with plans for gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industry; Gabon’s market is projected to reach $2.12bn by 2031. Local Governance & Digital Services: Gabon is pushing land digitalisation via a protocol with SNEDAI GROUPE to build a more secure, interconnected land and cadastral system, aiming to speed procedures and improve traceability. Conservation & Climate Tech: A new study using high-resolution satellite mapping says Central African forests are losing more carbon than they gain, challenging the region’s “resilient” reputation. Policy & Culture: Gabon bans exports of iboga and all derivatives, with penalties, tightening rules around the plant’s cultural and traditional knowledge links. Maritime Security: Nigeria’s Navy says it will use technology and stronger cooperation to tackle illicit drug and arms smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea as officers from 25 countries meet in Lagos. Global Tech/Media: Apple expands iCloud+ by adding Apple Arcade and Apple TV in over 100 countries, including Gabon.

Maritime Security Tech: Nigeria’s Navy says it will use technology and tighter cooperation with security agencies to curb illicit drug and arms smuggling across the Gulf of Guinea, as officers from about 25 countries met in Lagos to operationalise the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and the Combined Maritime Task Force. Gabon Iboga Crackdown: Gabon has banned all exports of iboga and its derivatives, with penalties set out in a draft decree adopted by the Council of Ministers, aiming to protect cultural heritage and traditional knowledge linked to Bwiti. Central Africa Carbon Watch: A new Nature Communications study using high-resolution satellite mapping finds Central African forests are losing more carbon than they gain, challenging the region’s long-held “carbon buffer” reputation. Gabon–EU Fisheries Talks: Libreville has launched negotiations with the EU to reshape fisheries rules, targeting stronger local capacity and better value from tuna resources. Gabon Energy Deal: Nigeria’s Oilserv signs an MoU with Gabon to develop hydrocarbon blocks DEF-3 and D4-5, focusing on gas transport, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and industry. Digital Public Services: Gabon’s land digitalisation push continues as the economy minister joins SNEDAI GROUPE’s protocol work to modernise cadastral systems and speed safer land transactions. Health & Care: WHO warns dementia is rising across Africa, with major economic strain on families and caregivers, and notes most countries still lack national dementia plans.

Forest & Climate: A new Nature Communications study using high-resolution satellite biomass maps says Central African forests are now losing more carbon than they gain, challenging the long-held view that the region is a steady climate buffer. Gabon Policy: Gabon has banned the export of iboga and all derivatives in any form, with penalties for violators, tightening rules around the Bwiti-linked plant and related traditional knowledge. Energy & Industry: Oilserv (Nigeria) signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialise hydrocarbon blocks DEF-3 and D4-5, focusing on gas transport, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industrial growth in a market projected at $2.12bn by 2031. Digital & Land Governance: Gabon’s economy ministry move on land digitalisation is progressing via a protocol with SNEDAI GROUPE to modernise cadastral data and speed up safer land transactions. Health: WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, with 1.9 million people affected and a major economic burden on families. Global Tech/Services: Apple expands iCloud+ with Apple Arcade and Apple TV access in over 100 countries, including Gabon. Regional Security Tech Diplomacy: China’s defence chief urged joint security cooperation after meetings with Gabon and others at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

Gabon Iboga Crackdown: The Council of Ministers has adopted a draft decree banning the export of iboga and all derivatives in any form, with penalties covering penal, forestry and customs rules—tightening a framework that has been evolving since 2019 and is tied to protections for Bwiti-linked traditional knowledge. Gabon-EU Fisheries Talks: Libreville has launched negotiations to renegotiate its tuna fisheries deal with the EU, aiming to put Gabon’s interests first and address complaints over limited local benefits and weak investment in fisheries capacity. Oilserv Gas Push in Gabon: Nigeria’s Oilserv has signed an MoU with Gabon for hydrocarbon development in DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, focusing on gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industry; Gabon’s gas market is projected at $2.12bn by 2031. Digital Land Reform in Gabon: The economy ministry has joined a protocol for land digitalisation to improve plot traceability, reduce duplicates and speed up procedures, with a pilot phase being prepared. Child Safety Online (Ghana): A call is growing for a national framework to regulate children’s independent social media access, with 16 proposed as a minimum age for personal accounts. Dementia Costs Rise (WHO): WHO says dementia is increasingly a major public health challenge in Africa, affecting about 1.9m people now and costing families and societies about $15.6bn annually.

Gozem Leadership Spotlight: French tech entrepreneur Gregory Costamagna, co-founder and co-CEO of ride-hailing and delivery platform Gozem, is profiled as the company expands across Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon and Congo—adding vehicle financing and financial services to its mobility roots. Gabon-EU Fisheries Talks: Gabon has officially started negotiations with the EU to renegotiate its tuna fishing deal, aiming to strengthen local capacity and secure more equitable benefits for Gabon’s blue economy. Oilserv Gas Push in Gabon: Nigeria’s Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon for hydrocarbon development in DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, focusing on gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industry, with the gas market projected at $2.12bn by 2031. Digital Land Reform in Gabon: Gabon moves toward a more secure, computerized land and cadastral system to improve plot traceability and reduce overlaps, aligning with the country’s digital public services push. Health Tech & Care: WHO warns dementia is rising across Africa, with major economic strain on families and limited national plans in many countries.

Gabon-EU Fisheries Talks: Gabon has officially started negotiations with the European Union to renegotiate its tuna fishing deal, aiming to put local benefits and fisheries infrastructure at the center of the new “blue economy” framework. Gabon Gas Push: Nigeria’s Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialise hydrocarbon reserves in the DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with plans for gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industry; the target market is estimated at $2.12bn by 2031. Diplomatic Tech & AI Focus: Gabon’s new ambassador to the US, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, presented credentials in Washington, with priorities including attracting American investment in hydrocarbons, mining, infrastructure, transport, tourism, energy, and digital technologies/AI. Digital Land Reform in Gabon: Gabon’s economy ministry is moving ahead with land digitalisation via a secure, computerised land and cadastral system to speed procedures and reduce duplicate plots. Regional Security Cooperation: China’s defence minister urged joint security efforts as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum concluded, meeting officials including Gabon’s. Gozem Leadership Spotlight: Togo-based mobility platform Gozem co-founder Gregory Costamagna is profiled; the company operates ride-hailing, delivery, vehicle financing and financial services across Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon and Congo.

Gabon-EU Fisheries Talks: Gabon has officially started negotiations with the European Union to renegotiate its tuna fishing deal, aiming for stronger local fishing capacity and a fairer blue economy that better matches its push for resource sovereignty. Hydrocarbon Deal in Focus: Nigeria’s Oilserv has signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialise gas and hydrocarbon assets in the DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with plans for gas transportation, compression and treatment to feed thermal power and support industry; the market is projected at $2.12bn by 2031. Digital & Land Reform: Gabon’s economy ministry is moving ahead with land digitalisation, using a new protocol with SNEDAI GROUPE to modernise cadastral systems and improve traceability of land transactions. Health Tech & Care: The WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, affecting about 1.9 million people now and costing families and societies around $15.6bn annually, with many countries lacking national dementia plans. Democracy Watch: A new International IDEA report says democracy demand in Africa is weakening as conflict and coups drive declines, even as rights and representation take the biggest hit.

Oil & Gas Deal: Nigerian billionaire Emeka Okwuosa’s Oilserv signed an MoU in Libreville to develop hydrocarbon reserves in Gabon’s DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with plans for gas transportation, compression and treatment infrastructure to feed thermal power and wider industrial growth; Gabon’s gas market is projected to reach $2.12bn by 2031. Diplomacy & Investment: Gabon’s new ambassador to the US, Baudelaire Ndong Ella, presented credentials in Washington and says economic diplomacy will be central, including attracting American investment into hydrocarbons, mining, infrastructure, transport, tourism, energy, and digital tech/AI. Digital Public Services: Gabon’s economy ministry joined SNEDAI GROUPE’s protocol on land digitalisation, aiming for a more secure, interconnected land and cadastral system to speed procedures and reduce duplicate land claims. Health Tech & Care: WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, affecting about 1.9 million people now and costing families and societies around $15.6bn annually, with most care done by unpaid caregivers. Connectivity for Industry: BW Offshore signed a five-year framework with Tampnet to boost global connectivity across its FPSO fleet, supporting real-time data and cloud-based offshore operations. Cyber & Security: China’s defense chief Dong Jun urged joint efforts on shared security challenges as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum wrapped up, with Gabon among the delegations.

Diplomacy & Investment: Gabon’s Baudelaire Ndong Ella has presented his credentials to Donald Trump, aiming to boost economic diplomacy and attract U.S. investment into hydrocarbon, mining, infrastructure, transport, tourism, energy, and digital tech including AI. Energy & Infrastructure: Oilserv signed an MoU with Gabon to develop and commercialise hydrocarbon reserves in DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with gas transportation, compression and treatment infrastructure to support thermal power and wider industry—part of a push for faster gas build-out across Africa. Agri-Tech & Research: WAFI 2026 opened in Pinggu, Beijing, bringing together 10,000+ participants to focus on green agrifood transformation, food security, and AI in agriculture. Security Cooperation: China’s defense chief Dong Jun urged joint efforts to tackle shared security challenges as the Xiangshan Forum wrapped up, meeting Gabon’s defense officials. Public Health: WHO says dementia is rising across Africa, affecting about 1.9 million people now and costing families and societies about $15.6 billion annually—yet most countries lack national dementia plans. Digital Services: Apple expands iCloud+ in 100+ countries by bundling Apple Arcade and Apple TV, plus Apple Music stations, for iCloud+ subscribers.

Gabon Energy Deal: Oilserv (Oilserv Group) signed an MoU with the Gabonese government to develop and commercialize hydrocarbon reserves in DEF-3 and D4-5 blocks, with a big push on gas transport, compression and treatment to support thermal power and industry. Digital Land Reform in Gabon: Gabon’s economy and housing ministries are moving ahead with land digitalisation, aiming for a fully computerized, secure, interconnected land and cadastral system to speed procedures and reduce duplicate plots. Connectivity for Offshore Tech: BW Offshore inked a five-year framework with Tampnet to boost communications across its FPSO fleet, enabling real-time data analysis and cloud-based offshore operations. Health Tech Focus: WHO says dementia is rising fast in Africa—about 1.9 million people affected now—with an estimated US$15.6 billion annual economic burden and major gaps in national dementia plans. Global Security Talk: China’s defense chief urged joint efforts on shared security challenges as the Xiangshan Forum wrapped up, including meetings with Gabon’s defense officials. Fintech Growth: Optasia reported 58% H1 revenue growth to $185.3m, driven by mobile and financial services, with new deployments including Gabon. Apple Services Expansion: iCloud+ now bundles Apple Arcade and Apple TV in over 100 countries, including Gabon and Cameroon.