AGP Executive Report

Diphtheria Alert: The U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania and Somalia after a long-running outbreak surpassed 20,000 suspected cases and 1,252 deaths in 2025, urging travelers to top up vaccinations. AI Policy: Libya adopted an AI Ethics Charter and launched a National AI Strategy 2026–2030 with 35 initiatives, aiming to expand AI use in government, digital identity, skills training and AI startups. Space Science (Sahara): A rare Mauritania-linked meteorite, NWA 12774, may be debris from a Moon-size protoplanet that formed fast and was later destroyed, based on mineral pressure clues. Climate & Water: A photo essay highlights how rising heat is pushing sand into Sahara oases, threatening farmers and wildlife, while solar-powered pumps and barrier building are used to slow desertification. Tech in the Browser: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, expanding AI search help across more African locales. Energy & Renewables: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift toward regional renewable supply. AI Education (Maghreb): Maghreb states, led by Algeria, are pushing AI education and research through university-linked clusters and start-up ecosystems.

Diphtheria Alert: The U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for seven Sub-Saharan countries after a long-running diphtheria outbreak, including Mauritania, urging travelers to be up to date on vaccination. AI Education Push: Maghreb states are accelerating AI training and research, with Algeria leading via university-linked start-up clusters aimed at turning research into products. AI Browser Rollout: Google expanded Ask Gemini in Chrome to more African markets, including Mauritania, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Sahara Science: A rare Sahara meteorite, NWA 12774, may be debris from a Moon-size protoplanet, offering fresh clues about early solar system formation. Climate & Water: Photo reporting highlights how rising heat is pushing sand into Sahara oases, threatening farming and livelihoods. Energy Tech: Nigeria’s solar industry is exporting panels worth N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from consumer to regional supplier.

Public Health Alert: The U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for a major diphtheria outbreak across Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania and Somalia, urging travelers to confirm they’re vaccinated as cases and deaths continue to mount. Climate & Water Security: New photos from the Sahel show Sahara oases under pressure as sand encroaches and heat rises, while farmers try barriers and solar-powered pumps to protect date palms and crops. Space Science (Mauritania link): A rare meteorite bought from a Mauritanian dealer may be a fragment of a Moon-sized planetary body, with new mineral analysis pointing to extreme formation pressures. AI Education & Research (Maghreb): Maghreb states, led by Algeria, are pushing AI training and university-linked start-up clusters to speed up commercialization. AI Browser Rollout: Google’s Ask Gemini in Chrome expands to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. Energy & Tech Cooperation: Russia signals it can share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including training and joint exploration. Renewables Trade: Nigeria reports major solar panel exports, showing a shift toward regional renewable manufacturing.

AI Education & Research: Maghreb countries are pushing AI training and research beyond universities, with Algeria leading via an AI and cybersecurity start-up cluster that links campuses, research centres and new firms to speed commercialization. AI Browser Rollout: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search help to dozens of African locales. Energy Tech & Exports: Nigeria exported solar panels worth N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying regional markets as local manufacturing gets government backing. Mauritania Tech Sovereignty: Russia says it’s ready to share energy and geological technologies with Mauritania to build “joint technological sovereignty,” including training and possible business missions. Regional Power Resilience: A new study warns climate change may synchronize solar low-output days across Africa’s power pools, raising reliability risks for grids that assume failures are independent. Gambia Offshore Exploration: The Gambia signed an offshore Block A1 exploration deal with Eni, setting a framework for renewed seismic and drilling activity. Humanitarian & Security Tech: Amnesty urges Libya’s armed forces to release detained aid workers, highlighting how conflict logistics and access remain a tech-and-policy challenge.

AI Education & Research: Maghreb countries, including Mauritania, are pushing AI into universities and research ecosystems, with Algeria moving from scattered startups to structured AI and cybersecurity clusters that link academia to commercialization. AI Browser Rollout: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” across Africa, adding Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa (with Mauritania included in the broader list of supported locales), bringing built-in AI search help to more users. Energy Tech Cooperation: Russia’s deputy energy minister says Moscow is ready to share energy and geological technologies with partners including Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” alongside training and possible business missions. Solar Industry Signals: Nigeria’s solar panel exports surged to N85.79bn in Q1 2026, showing regional demand and manufacturing momentum that could influence West African clean-energy supply chains. Nuclear Fuel Outlook: Coverage highlights renewed uranium interest tied to nuclear demand and small modular reactors, pointing to tighter supply dynamics shaping investment decisions. Regional Power Risk: A new study warns climate change may synchronize solar low-output events across African power pools, raising reliability risks for grid planning.

Film & Culture Tech: The Lighthouse International Film Festival in LBI is drawing bigger crowds, with surf-focused premieres and ticket sales up 30%—a reminder that local media events can still spotlight global tech in filmmaking. Energy Tech & Sovereignty: Russia’s deputy energy minister says Moscow is ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including training and cooperation in geological exploration and water management. Renewables & Grid Risk: A new study warns climate change will increasingly synchronize solar low-output days across African power pools, raising the odds of widespread shortfalls. Solar Industry Growth: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026 to the US and several African markets, signaling a shift from consumer to regional supplier. Offshore Exploration (Gambia): The Gambia signed an offshore Block A1 exploration deal with Eni, with GNPC holding a 10% carried interest—an attempt to restart stalled hydrocarbon momentum. Nuclear Fuel Demand (Africa): Coverage highlights how small modular reactors are reshaping uranium demand expectations, feeding a wider supply-demand squeeze. Human Smuggling Enforcement (Pakistan): Pakistan’s FIA reports penalties for officials linked to smuggling after the Greece boat tragedy, alongside stricter passenger profiling.

Mauritania Energy Tech: Russia’s deputy energy minister says Moscow is ready to share energy and mining technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including joint geological exploration, training for Mauritanian oil-and-gas specialists, and possible business missions with major Russian firms. Uranium & Nuclear Supply Chain: Aura Energy targets a final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania by end-2026, after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility and advancing funding talks alongside a bankable feasibility study due in September 2026. Regional Power & Climate Risk: A new study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising “synchronization risk” under climate change, with synchronized low-output days projected to surge in multiple power pools—an issue for grid planning across the continent. Offshore Oil Governance (Gambia): The Gambia signs an offshore Block A1 exploration deal with Eni, with GNPC taking a 10% carried interest, as officials cite renewed seismic and drilling momentum. Education & Digital Skills (Nigeria/Mauritania link): Nigeria distributes ICT equipment to teacher colleges across six countries including Mauritania, aiming to boost digital literacy and STEM/TVET training with support from Japan, the African Union, and UNESCO-IICBA.

Energy Tech & Trade: Nigeria says it exported solar panels worth N85.79bn in Q1 2026, with the US as top buyer, signaling a shift from importing to supplying regional clean-energy hardware. Mauritania Energy Cooperation: Russia’s deputy energy minister says Moscow is ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including training and joint work in exploration and water/energy projects. Nuclear Development in Mauritania: Aura Energy targets a final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project by end-2026 after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility and advancing its feasibility work. Digital Education: Nigeria’s federal government distributed ICT equipment to 15 colleges of education to boost digital learning and teacher training, with Mauritania included in the wider regional rollout. Climate & Power Systems: A new study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening grid resilience across member countries.

Mauritania Energy & Nuclear: Aura Energy says it is moving toward a final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania by end-2026, after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility covering potential investment, uranium offtake and technical collaboration; the bankable feasibility study is still on track for September, with FID targeted before year-end. Russia–Mauritania Tech Cooperation: Russia’s deputy energy minister told Mauritania it can offer energy technologies to help achieve “technological sovereignty,” with talks also covering geological exploration, mining, water management and training for Mauritanian fuel-and-energy specialists. Clean Cooking Tech in Africa: The African Development Bank announced a Clean Cooking Program under its Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility, aiming to reach about one million households and cut millions of tonnes of CO2, with an initial EUR 25 million envelope. Solar Grid Resilience: A new study warns climate change will increasingly synchronize solar power shortfalls across Africa’s regional power pools, raising planning risk for electricity reliability. Trade & Forced Labour: The US proposed 12.5% extra tariffs on imports from Mauritania and seven other African countries, citing weak enforcement against forced-labour goods.

Mauritania Energy & Tech: Russia says it’s ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including cooperation on geological exploration, mining, water management, and training for oil and gas specialists. Nuclear & Uranium (Mauritania): Aura Energy is pushing toward a final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania by end-2026, citing a memorandum with a major nuclear utility, progress on its feasibility study, and multiple funding routes. Education & ICT (Region-wide, includes Mauritania): UNESCO-IICBA and Japan-backed support is equipping 15 colleges of education with ICT tools to boost teacher training and digital learning across West Africa and Central Africa, explicitly including Mauritania. Climate Risk for Power Grids (Africa): A new study warns climate change will increasingly synchronize solar low-output days across African power pools, raising resilience risks for regional electricity trading. Trade & Forced Labour: The US proposes new 12.5% tariffs on imports from eight African countries, including Mauritania, tied to forced-labour enforcement gaps. Clean Cooking Tech (Africa): The AfDB launches a clean cooking program aiming to reach about one million households with cleaner energy solutions and lower emissions.

Mauritania Energy & Nuclear: Aura Energy says it’s on track for a final investment decision by end-2026 for its Tiris uranium project, after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility covering possible funding, offtake and technical collaboration; the company also points to a completed processing flowsheet and a bankable feasibility study due in September. Russia–Mauritania Tech Cooperation: Russia’s deputy energy minister told Mauritania it can receive Russian energy technologies to build “joint technological sovereignty,” with talks also covering geological exploration, mining, water management and training for Mauritanian specialists. Climate & Power Systems: A new study warns Africa’s solar power pools may face rising synchronization risk under climate change, meaning multiple countries could suffer low solar output at the same time—raising resilience concerns for regional grids. Health Tech: CEPI is backing Moderna and others with about $60m to speed Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development amid an outbreak in eastern DR Congo, with trials potentially starting within months. Education & Digital Skills: A Japan- and UNESCO-supported push is equipping teacher colleges with ICT tools to expand digital learning and improve training across West Africa, including Mauritania.

Mauritania Energy Tech & Sovereignty: Russia says it’s ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including help in geological exploration, mining, water management, and training for oil and gas specialists. Nuclear Fuel Push (Mauritania): Aura Energy is moving toward a year-end final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project, aiming to become Mauritania’s first uranium mine in decades after signing an MoU with a major nuclear utility and advancing its feasibility work. Clean Cooking Tech: The AfDB is backing a new clean-cooking program across Africa with an initial €25m envelope, targeting about one million households and cutting millions of tonnes of CO2. Ebola Vaccine R&D: CEPI is committing about $60m to accelerate Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development led by Moderna and partners, with trials potentially starting within months. Digital Education (Regional, includes Mauritania): UNESCO-IICBA and Japan support ICT equipment for teacher colleges across West Africa, including Mauritania, to boost digital learning and training. Global Trade Pressure: The US proposes 12.5% tariffs on imports from Mauritania and other African countries over forced-labour enforcement gaps. Africa Innovation Rankings: Jeune Afrique and The Africa Report’s 2026 index ranks South Africa first, with Mauritius second, and places Nigeria fifth, Ghana eighth—using governance, influence, and innovation.

Nuclear & Mining (Mauritania): Aura Energy says it is on track for a final investment decision by end-2026 for its Tiris uranium project, after signing a memorandum with a “major” international nuclear utility covering potential funding, offtake and technical collaboration, while its bankable feasibility study is due in September. Energy Tech Diplomacy: Russia’s deputy energy minister told Mauritania it can pursue “technological sovereignty” by partnering on energy technologies, including geological exploration, mining and water management, plus training and possible business missions with major Russian energy firms. Digital Education (West Africa incl. Mauritania): UNESCO-IICBA, Japan and the African Union-backed project is handing ICT equipment to 15 colleges of education across six countries (including Mauritania) to strengthen teacher training and digital learning for girls. Clean Cooking Tech (Africa): The AfDB launched a clean cooking program under its Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility, aiming to reach about one million households with cleaner cooking solutions. Health Tech (Ebola): CEPI is funding Moderna and partners with about $60m to speed Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development amid the DRC outbreak. Ocean Governance: A decade of the UN FAO Port State Measures Agreement shows how shared rules and tech/data systems can curb illegal fishing.

Nuclear Fuel & Mining: Aura Energy says it’s on track for a final investment decision by end-2026 for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania, after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility and advancing its bankable feasibility study toward September. Energy Tech Diplomacy: Russia’s deputy energy minister told Mauritania it can share energy technologies to support “technological sovereignty,” including cooperation on geological exploration, mining, water management, and training for Mauritanian oil and gas specialists. Clean Cooking Tech: The African Development Bank launched a Clean Cooking Program under its Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility, aiming to reach about one million households with cleaner cooking and cut millions of tonnes of CO2. Digital Education (Regional, incl. Mauritania): A UNESCO-supported initiative backed by Japan and the African Union is equipping teacher colleges across West Africa (including Mauritania) with ICT tools to boost digital literacy and training. Public Health (Ebola R&D): CEPI pledged about $60m to Moderna and partners to accelerate Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development amid the outbreak in eastern DR Congo.

Mauritania Energy & Tech Diplomacy: Russia says it’s ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “joint technological sovereignty,” including cooperation on geological exploration, mining, water management, and education/training for Mauritanian oil and gas specialists. Nuclear Fuel & Mining: Aura Energy is pushing toward a year-end final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project in Mauritania, citing a signed MoU with a major nuclear utility, progress on its feasibility study, and a revised processing plan to reduce technical uncertainty. Digital Learning for Teachers (Regional, includes Mauritania): A UNESCO-supported initiative with Japan and the African Union is equipping 15 Colleges of Education across West Africa (including Mauritania) with laptops, tablets, smart boards, projectors, and printers to boost teacher training and digital literacy. Clean Cooking Tech Finance (Regional, includes Mauritania): The AfDB is backing a new clean-cooking program with an initial EUR 25m envelope, aiming to reach about one million households and cut millions of tonnes of CO2. Health Tech (Ebola vaccine R&D): CEPI is funding Moderna and partners with about $60m to accelerate Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development as trials are planned amid security challenges in eastern DR Congo.

Energy Diplomacy: Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin says Moscow is ready to share energy technologies with Mauritania to build “technological sovereignty,” including cooperation on geological exploration, mining, water management and training for oil and gas specialists. Nuclear Fuel Push (Mauritania): Aura Energy targets a final investment decision for its Tiris uranium project by end-2026, after signing an MoU with a major international nuclear utility and advancing its bankable feasibility study due in September. Clean Cooking Finance: The African Development Bank announced a new clean cooking program under its Rome Process/Mattei Plan Financing Facility, aiming to reach about one million households and cut millions of tonnes of CO2. Digital Education Support (Mauritania region): UNESCO-IICBA, Japan and the African Union-backed ICT equipment handovers to 15 colleges of education across West Africa include Mauritania, aiming to strengthen teacher training and digital learning. Public Health Tech: CEPI pledges about $60m to accelerate Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine development with Moderna and partners as the DRC outbreak continues. Tech & Culture (Bond game): “007 First Light” sold 2.7m copies in its first week, spotlighting new Bond tech gadgets and an origin story.