AGP Executive Report

AI Governance Watch: Mozambique has drafted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy after public consultations, aiming to set rules for safe, transparent AI use across public and private services, with focus on cybersecurity, data systems and regulatory oversight. Regional Energy Tech: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a nearly 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line linking Nigeria to Morocco through 13 countries, targeting up to 30 bcm of gas a year and positioning West Africa as an energy corridor toward Europe. Security & Borders: Coverage flags rising instability around Mauritania’s southeast as Mali’s violence spills across borders, with cross-border operations and strained Bamako–Nouakchott ties adding pressure. Maritime Cyber Fraud: A report warns Iranian and Russian “shadow fleets” use fake websites that mimic African maritime registries and administrations to generate bogus documents and evade sanctions. Tech & DRM Shift: IO Interactive’s 007 First Light update removes Denuvo on PC, alongside new missions and fixes. Trade Pressure: The US imposed a 12.5% tariff on Mauritania and other African countries over forced-labour allegations, tying market access to stronger enforcement.

Maritime Cybercrime & Sanctions Evasion: A new report says Iranian and Russian “shadow fleet” tankers use fake websites that impersonate African maritime administrations and ship registries to generate bogus documents and registrations, using tactics like typosquatting and misleading QR links to dodge oil-export sanctions. West African Energy Integration: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a nearly 6,900km Nigeria–Morocco corridor expected to move up to 30 bcm of gas a year across 13 coastal countries, with Mauritania set to complete the framework later. Mauritania Security Pressure: Coverage highlights how violence spilling from Mali is raising risks for Mauritania, with cross-border attacks and refugee flows adding strain to border regions. US Trade Enforcement Hits Mauritania: The US imposed a 12.5% tariff on Mauritania and seven other African countries over alleged weak enforcement against goods linked to forced labour. Germany–Nigeria Tech & Energy Links: Germany’s foreign minister visited Nigeria after a stop in Mauritania, stressing energy cooperation and pushing for more ties in IT and start-ups.

ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a nearly 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line linking Nigeria to Morocco through 13 coastal countries, with capacity of up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas a year and a planned link to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline for European supply. Trade & Compliance Pressure: The US imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Nigeria and seven other African nations, including Mauritania, citing weak enforcement against goods made with forced labour—raising the stakes for local legal frameworks and supply-chain controls. Mauritania Security Watch: Reporting highlights how violence in Mali is spilling across borders, with JNIM expanding along Mauritania’s southeast and cross-border tensions with Bamako adding pressure to Mauritania’s hard-won stability. Germany–Africa Tech & Energy Links: Germany’s foreign minister visited Mauritania and Nigeria, pushing deeper energy cooperation (including renewables) and more partnerships in information technology and start-ups, while also calling for expanded university and cultural exchanges. Water Stress Data: A new ranking flags countries with the least renewable freshwater per person, underscoring how uneven water availability can shape health, agriculture, and resilience.

Trade & Labor Enforcement: The US imposed a new 12.5% tariff on Nigeria and seven other African countries, including Mauritania, citing weak enforcement against goods linked to forced labour. Regional Security Watch: Reporting warns that violence in Mali is spilling over toward Mauritania’s southeast border, raising pressure on Nouakchott as JNIM activity grows. West Africa Energy Tech: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a ~6,900km corridor meant to move up to 30 bcm of gas annually from Nigeria through 13 coastal countries to Morocco and onward to Europe; the deal is framed as a key step toward implementation after FEED and feasibility work. Diplomacy & Energy Partnerships: Germany’s foreign minister visited Mauritania and Nigeria, stressing energy cooperation and pointing to Nigeria’s role in supplying Europe with jet fuel and petroleum products, while also pushing renewable and digital/IT ties. Science & Environment: New research explains why the Sahara periodically turns green, linking wetter cycles to Earth’s long climate rhythms—useful context as climate impacts intensify across the region.

Regional Security Watch: A new analysis says the Sahel is being reshaped by the collapse of older multilateral security frameworks, with Mali and Burkina Faso at the center of a fast-shifting, militarised landscape—raising fresh spillover risks for Mauritania. Cross-Border Energy & Infrastructure: West African leaders, through ECOWAS, signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a ~6,800–6,900 km corridor expected to move up to 30 bcm of gas yearly across 13 countries, with Mauritania set to join later in the framework. Tech & Digital Access: A regional telecom affordability report puts Mauritania last in North Africa for the cost of digital services versus income, while Libya ranks best—highlighting a local digital inclusion gap. Energy Diplomacy: Germany’s foreign minister visited Mauritania and Nigeria, stressing energy cooperation and pointing to Nigeria’s role in Europe’s jet fuel supply, alongside calls to expand ties in renewable energy and tech/startups. Climate & Water: Coverage on the Nile’s retreat and the GERD debate underscores how dam operations and water releases can quickly turn into regional pressure points.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline in Freetown, giving the project a legal and institutional green light. The planned ~6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line would move up to 30 bcm of natural gas a year across 13 Atlantic countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and Europe via the Morocco–Spain link; Mauritania is also in the backing mix. Energy Diplomacy: Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, wrapped up a Nigeria visit after starting in Mauritania, stressing deeper energy cooperation as Nigeria supplies Europe with petroleum products and jet fuel. He also pointed to opportunities in renewable energy and tech/startups. Education & Exchange: Wadephul also pushed for expanded university and cultural ties, citing 50+ partnerships and a growing number of Nigerian students in Germany, with the Goethe-Institut in Lagos under renovation. Climate & Water Science: Reports on the Sahara’s past “green” cycles explain how ancient rivers and lakes returned during natural climate rhythms, while separate coverage links falling Nile waters in Sudan to renewed GERD debate. Mobility Tech/Policy: Nigeria’s passport slipped to 90th in the Henley index, with visa-free access to 44 destinations.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, giving the project a clear legal and institutional green light. The planned ~6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore route would move up to 30 bcm of natural gas a year across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and European markets via the existing Morocco–Spain link. Regional Energy Integration: The deal follows earlier feasibility and Front-End Engineering Design work and sets up next steps, including a separate Morocco–Mauritania signing ceremony. Germany–Nigeria Tech & Energy Links: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrapped up a visit that highlighted energy cooperation (including Nigeria’s jet fuel role for Europe) and pushed for deeper business ties, especially in information technology and start-ups, plus more university and cultural exchanges. Climate Science for the Sahara: New research revisits why the Sahara periodically turns “green” about every 20,000 years, tying past river-and-lake cycles to Earth’s natural climate rhythm—useful context for future climate expectations.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement in Freetown, formally backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP). The deal sets the legal and institutional framework for a nearly 6,900km corridor carrying up to 30 bcm of natural gas a year across 13 West African countries, with as much as 15 bcm destined for Morocco and Europe via the Maghreb-Europe link. Next steps include creating a project company in Casablanca and a Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja, before investor mobilization and a final investment decision. Germany–Nigeria Energy Push (via Mauritania stop): German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrapped up a Nigeria visit after starting the tour in Mauritania, stressing energy cooperation and highlighting Nigeria’s role in supplying Europe with jet fuel and petroleum products amid wider geopolitical pressure. Digital Services Costs (regional tech benchmark): A telecom affordability report using ITU data ranked Libya best in North Africa for low-cost digital services relative to income, while Mauritania was last—based on a standard monthly basket of calls, SMS, and 5GB data. Sahara science explainer: New research revisits why the Sahara turns green in natural cycles, linking past river and lake systems to long-term climate rhythms rather than simple “every 20,000 years” timing. Coastal resilience debate (Ghana): Activists renewed criticism of delays in WACA ResIP 2 sea defence work, warning that stalled protection leaves communities exposed.

Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a ~6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line meant to move up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas yearly across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and Europe via the Morocco–Spain link; the next steps include setting up a Casablanca-based project company and an Abuja-based Pipeline Higher Authority before investor mobilization and a final investment decision. Diplomacy & Tech Links: Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrapped up a Nigeria visit after starting in Mauritania, stressing energy security cooperation and pushing deeper ties in information technology and start-ups, alongside plans for expanded renewable energy collaboration and more university partnerships. Water & Climate Tension: Falling Nile levels in Sudan are reviving the GERD debate, with experts pointing to dam operations and warning that downstream countries face growing uncertainty over data and releases. Science Insight: Researchers explain why the Sahara periodically turns green about every 20,000 years, tying wetter cycles to Earth’s orbital rhythm rather than random weather. Mobility Watch: Nigeria’s passport slipped to 90th globally in the Henley index, with visa-free access to 44 destinations.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, giving the project a full regional legal and institutional backing. The planned ~6,800–6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line would move up to 30 bcm of gas a year across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and Europe via Morocco–Spain links, while the rest supports regional markets. Next steps include setting up a project company in Casablanca and a Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja before investor mobilization and a final investment decision. Germany–Africa tech & energy push: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrapped up a Nigeria visit focused on deeper trade and investment, highlighting opportunities in information technology and start-ups, while also stressing Nigeria’s role in Europe’s energy security amid wider geopolitical pressure. Digital affordability in North Africa: A telecom affordability report using ITU data found Libya has the lowest cost of digital services relative to income in North Africa, while Mauritania ranked last in the comparison. Climate & coastal resilience debate: In Ghana, activists are challenging delays in the WACA ResIP 2 sea defence rollout, arguing coastal protection decisions are being weighed with outdated, colonial-style cost logic.

Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, giving the project the legal and institutional backing needed to move toward implementation. The nearly 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line is set to carry up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually through 13 Atlantic coastal countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and European markets via existing links to Spain. Mauritania Link: Mauritania is named among the sovereign backers, keeping the pipeline’s Atlantic corridor relevant to Mauritania’s energy and connectivity plans. Diplomacy & Education: Germany’s foreign minister, visiting Africa via Mauritania, called for deeper university and researcher exchanges with Nigeria, citing growing partnerships and a Goethe-Institut Lagos renovation expected to boost academic and cultural cooperation. Digital Affordability: A telecom affordability report using ITU data ranks Libya best for low-cost digital services relative to income, while Mauritania is last—highlighting a local challenge for tech access.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP): ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a nearly 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line aimed at moving up to 30 bcm of natural gas yearly across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm earmarked for Morocco and Europe via the Morocco–Spain link; the deal also sets up next steps like creating a project company (Casablanca) and a pipeline authority (Abuja) before investor mobilization and a final investment decision. Regional Energy Integration: Project officials say the signing turns the initiative from a bilateral plan into a wider regional corridor linking West Africa, the Sahel, Morocco and Europe, with Mauritania expected to sign separately later. Digital Affordability Watch: A telecom affordability report using ITU data ranks Libya best for low-cost digital services relative to income, while Mauritania lands last in the North Africa comparison. Coastal Resilience Debate (Ghana): Activists warn Ghana’s Southern Volta coast could face renewed erosion risks as the WACA ResIP 2 sea defence rollout lags, arguing past “value-for-money” thinking is resurfacing.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP): ECOWAS leaders signed a landmark intergovernmental agreement in Freetown to back the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, a nearly 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore project meant to move up to 30 bcm of gas yearly across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and Europe via an existing Morocco–Spain link; the deal also sets up next steps like creating a project company in Casablanca and a Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja, before Morocco and Mauritania sign separately. Mauritania in the energy corridor: Mauritania is named among the sovereign backers, with the pipeline route and future connections positioned to strengthen regional energy security and industrial integration. Digital affordability check: A telecom affordability report using ITU data says Mauritania has the highest cost of a standard basket of digital services relative to income in North Africa (3.67%), while Libya ranks lowest (0.76%). Critical minerals cooperation: Mauritania and the US signed a framework agreement in Nouakchott to boost critical minerals and rare earth supply chains, attract investment, and expand processing and technical exchange. Business tourism boost: The IFC committed up to $15m to expand Mauritania’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, supporting business travel and local supplier growth.

Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP), a ~6,800–6,900 km line meant to move up to 30 bcm of natural gas yearly across 13 West African countries, with 15 bcm targeted for Morocco and Europe via the Morocco–Spain link; the deal also sets up next steps like creating a Casablanca-based project company and an Abuja-based Pipeline Higher Authority, before a final Morocco–Mauritania signing. Mauritania Tech & Development: In Nouakchott, Mauritania and the US signed a framework cooperation agreement on critical minerals and rare earths to strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and boost exploration and processing. Business Tourism Boost: The IFC committed up to $15m to expand Mauritania’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel operations, aiming to grow business tourism and local supplier linkages. Digital Access Watch: A telecom affordability report ranks Libya best for low-cost digital services relative to income, while Mauritania is last—highlighting a gap in affordability for internet and telecom baskets. Local Food Industry: SIG is expanding Enazaha’s aseptic dairy capacity in Mauritania with a new filling line to reduce reliance on imported dairy. XR & Culture Tech: Venice Immersive unveiled its XR lineup, including Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Artou,” showing how immersive media is spreading globally.

Digital Affordability: A new Tunisia telecom report using ITU data ranks Libya best for low-cost digital services (0.76% of income), while Mauritania sits last in the region at 3.67%—based on a monthly basket of calls, SMS and 5GB internet. Regional Energy Tech & Infrastructure: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the intergovernmental agreement backing the Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a nearly 6,800–6,900 km project meant to move up to 30 bcm/year across 13 countries, with next steps including a Casablanca project company, an Abuja pipeline authority, investor mobilization and a Final Investment Decision. Mauritania–US Minerals: In Nouakchott, Mauritania and the United States signed a framework deal to strengthen critical minerals and rare earth supply chains, boost processing and share technical know-how. Business Tourism Finance: The IFC committed up to $15M to expand Mauritania’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to grow business tourism and local supplier links. Local Dairy Capacity: SIG and Enazaha expanded Mauritania’s dairy production with a third aseptic filling line to reduce reliance on imported milk. Healthcare Investment: OIC’s Secretary-General backed partnerships to strengthen OIC healthcare systems, highlighting local production of medicines, vaccines, devices and digital health.

Atlantic Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed an intergovernmental framework for the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, a ~6,800 km project expected to move gas from Nigeria toward Morocco and onward to Europe, with a Casablanca project company and a governing body in Abuja, and separate signings planned for Morocco and Mauritania. Mauritania–US Minerals: Mauritania and the United States signed a framework agreement to boost critical minerals and rare earth cooperation, aiming to strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and expand processing and technical expertise. Business Tourism Boost: The IFC committed up to $15M to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, supporting business tourism, jobs, and local supplier value chains. Healthcare Investment: OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha called for stronger partnerships to build resilient healthcare systems, with a Nouakchott forum focused on regional production of medicines, vaccines, devices, and digital health. Local Dairy Expansion: SIG and Enazaha expanded Mauritania’s dairy output by adding a third aseptic filling line for 1L and 500ml cartons, targeting reduced reliance on imported dairy. XR Creative Tech: Venice Immersive unveiled its XR lineup, including Mauritanian director Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Artou,” alongside major global talent and immersive storytelling projects.