AGP Executive Report

Rail & Regional Integration: Zimbabwe hosted the 6th SADC ministers’ cluster meeting on transport, ICT and meteorology in Bulawayo, aiming to turn regional integration plans into practical moves on transport systems, digital connectivity and climate resilience. Freight & Ports: Togo approved accession to key maritime pollution and compensation frameworks (OPRC-HNS 2000 and the IOPC Fund) to strengthen preparedness and response for hazardous spills. Aviation Disruption: Egypt’s World Cup campaign hit a logistics snag when US security denied the team permission to fly directly from Vancouver to Seattle, forcing a return to its base and reshuffling travel ahead of the Iran match. Drone Logistics Impact: In Ghana, Zipline’s autonomous drone hub near Walewale is linked to an estimated US$850–$1,200 extra annual household income within 2km and about US$1.5m injected into the local economy in its first year. EV Adoption Watch: Kenya is flagged as one of Africa’s slowest EV markets on adoption, despite broader momentum across the continent. Security & Transport Risk: A reported ISIS-linked financial crackdown by the US targets facilitators across West Africa, underscoring ongoing risks to regional stability and movement.

EV Infrastructure Push: Spiro secured an extra $55m (total $270m) to expand EV infrastructure, battery-swapping and manufacturing across Africa, targeting faster urban mobility and reduced fuel imports. Air Cargo & AfCFTA: Nigeria launched an expanded AfCFTA air cargo export corridor with RwandAir, cutting export freight costs to under $2/kg and boosting volumes by 40% in the first year. Port Capacity Upgrade: DP World is investing US$79m in Southampton quay cranes to handle 24,000 TEU megaships, aiming for faster turnaround and future-proofing. Aviation Finance: AfDB governors approved funding to strengthen aviation and logistics connectivity, with the bank mobilising up to $7bn over five years for aviation initiatives. Road Safety Focus: South Africa’s road deaths remain high, with experts calling for stronger evidence-led road safety action. Lemon Export Outlook: Southern Africa’s lemon season forecast rose to 49.4m cartons, with improved growing conditions and logistics capacity key to managing volumes.

Lagos Water Transport Boost: Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the European Investment Bank for backing the Omi Eko Project, an intermodal push to upgrade water transport terminals, navigation and commuter services—aiming to cut some trips from up to two hours to about 40–45 minutes. Rail Modernisation Deal: Alstom-led partners signed major Egypt rail modernisation contracts worth about $792m, reinforcing the country’s push to modernise strategic corridors. Aviation Finance & Growth: Nigeria’s Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) reported N12bn profit before tax for 2025, driven by passenger and cargo handling growth and investment in ground support and infrastructure. Road Safety Response: Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said it handled 18 major incidents between June 14–21 with no fatalities, including crashes and tanker/container emergencies. Cross-Border Freight Disruption: A Namibian truck driver hijacked on South Africa’s N4 has been found safe and reunited with his employer, though the truck remains missing. Energy Security Watch: The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project is resuming after improved Algeria–Niger relations, with construction restarting in Algeria and talks focused on gas exports toward Europe.

Road & logistics costs: Madagascar road builders are feeling the squeeze as bitumen supply shifts from Gulf sources to Europe, adding 45–60 days and pushing prices up 40–50%, delaying projects and straining budgets. Maritime/energy trade routes: Iraq is preparing to expand crude oil and naphtha exports via Syrian ports (Baniyas) to bypass Gulf disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with early volumes targeting about 50,000 bpd once infrastructure is ready. Rail connectivity: Uganda’s rail push gets a €650.7m IsDB loan for a 272km standard gauge line linking to Kenya and Mombasa, aiming to cut costs for landlocked trade. Aviation & mobility: Sharjah is deepening China ties with a mission focused on AI, digital infrastructure, smart mobility and logistics, while South Africa advances LNG plans at Richards Bay with early agreements involving ExxonMobil and Eskom. Governance & enforcement: Tunisia’s tax police are investigating suspected price manipulation in the salt sector, while South Africa’s Gauteng police seized over R12.6m in stolen copper tied to cross-border smuggling using hijacked trucks and fake plates. Safety: South Africa’s RAF urges youth to take a bigger role in road safety as young people account for over half of road fatalities.

Road Safety: A fatal Nairobi–Mombasa Highway crash in Kenya killed a tycoon and his wife after their pickup collided with a trailer; one employee was injured and investigations are underway. Urban Waste & Health: Lagos’ Olusosun dumpsite is worsening operations with long queues, ageing equipment, breakdowns and deteriorating access roads, raising environmental and public health fears. Aviation & Skills: Boeing has started training 16 Nigerian airline engineers in Lagos for EASA Part 66 maintenance certificates, strengthening regional aircraft upkeep links with Ghana. Electric Mobility & Batteries: Nigeria’s lithium and local battery value chain push gets a boost from Spiro’s battery-swapping and recycling investments, aiming to scale electric motorbikes with domestic manufacturing. Smart Cities & Transport Tech: FUTA’s AI symposium highlights satellite and AI tools for safer cities, including traffic flow and emergency guidance. Climate Finance: Ghana-led talks in Nairobi say Africa needs $155bn yearly for climate action but mobilises only $30bn, with reforms to route more funds to local governments. Security & Shipping: Reports say Yemen’s Houthis transferred Iranian drone and missile tech via Red Sea smuggling networks to Sudan-linked Islamist groups. Policy & Governance: Cape Town is tripling thermal-imaging drone use to track suspects and support search-and-rescue.

Aviation & Connectivity: TAAG Angola Airlines won EASA approval to fly its 787-9 Dreamliners into Europe, starting with Luanda–Lisbon, boosting Angola’s long-haul reach. Urban Transport & Mobility: Lagos’ Omi Eko Project, backed by the European Investment Bank with a €170m deal, aims to cut commute times by expanding climate-resilient water transport and upgrading ferry terminals. Road Safety Disruption: A gravel-laden truck overturned on Zimbabwe’s Gwanda–Manama Road, blocking the route and forcing detours for motorists and buses. Maritime & Trade Flows: Guinea is diverting shipping from bauxite to iron ore as it pushes higher exports for China’s “green steel,” reshaping West African cargo patterns. Energy & Fuel Costs: Dangote Refinery cut Nigeria’s jet fuel price by N100 to N1,450/litre, following a recent petrol reduction—an airline cost relief that could ease fares. Border & Logistics Pressure: South Africa intensified immigration enforcement, repatriating hundreds of Malawians and Zimbabweans via Beitbridge, with more buses expected—adding strain to cross-border transport operations. Infrastructure Finance: The African Development Bank approved Shs650bn (and €155.99m) for Arua Airport upgrades in Uganda, supporting regional air logistics. Digital Governance: BPSR and GovTech Africa signed an MoU to rank and improve federal MDAs’ websites, training digital officers to strengthen service delivery.

South Africa–China Supply Chain Push: Deputy President Paul Mashatile will visit China from 20–26 June to attend Beijing’s 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), aiming to deepen trade facilitation, industrial investment and logistics cooperation. Maritime Security: Pirates in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia are using gunfire and RPGs in attempted boardings, with EU-backed maritime authorities urging vessels to stay on heightened alert and report suspicious activity. Lagos Water Transport Financing: The EIB’s development arm (EIB Global) signed a €170m partnership with Lagos State Waterways Authority to expand sustainable, efficient waterways transport under the Abidjan–Lagos corridor. Aviation Connectivity & Policy: A new push for a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is highlighted as the key to unlocking intra-Africa trade and mobility. Migration Pressure on Transport Systems: South Africa is building a second temporary deportation centre in Durban as thousands of Malawians await repatriation amid xenophobic tensions, with overcrowding and delays driving logistics strain. Aviation Safety Watch: U.S. officials say debris found in Mozambique may match a Boeing 777 type like MH370, pending verification and retrieval efforts.

LNG & Energy Infrastructure: South Africa’s Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) has launched an expression of interest for an LNG import terminal at Richards Bay, with later steps moving to RFI/RFP and a push for local skills and supplier participation. Aviation & Connectivity: Uganda Airlines signed a Boeing deal for eight passenger aircraft plus two converted freighters to expand passenger and cargo routes across Africa. Airports Upgrade: The AfDB approved Sh650bn for Uganda’s Arua Airport upgrade, including a longer runway, new terminal and cargo facilities to boost regional trade. Maritime & Trade: Zanzibar plans a US$560m free port at Mangapwani to build logistics parks and warehousing for East Africa–Middle East shipping and transhipment. Logistics Disruption Risk: South African exporters warned planned protests could disrupt port supply chains even as waterside operations are expected to continue. Security & Border Enforcement: WCO-EU Operation ZAFIRO coordinated general aviation crackdowns across West and Central Africa to curb illicit cargo movement. Mobility & Social Impact: Bolt donated ₦5m to SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria after its “Rides That Care” campaign. Drug Smuggling Case: A former BBC actress, Emaa Hussen, was charged in Australia over an alleged 320kg meth shipment hidden in charcoal bags from Ghana.

Rail Modernisation in Morocco: Hyundai Rotem has won a 748.2 billion won (about $487.3m) contract with Morocco’s ONCF to maintain 440 train cars over 20 years, following its earlier deal to supply double-decker electric trains for routes around Casablanca ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Aviation & Connectivity: TAANZ says Emirates’ return to daily Dubai–Auckland flights, with travel advice moving back toward pre-conflict levels, should boost confidence for travellers using the Middle East as a gateway to Europe, the UK, Africa and beyond. Business Aviation Data Push: AfBAA launched a continent-wide research initiative to map Africa’s business aviation sector with fleet, economic and maintenance analysis, with initial findings due at Aviation Africa in Nairobi on Sept 9–10, 2026. Security Disruption at Air Hubs: Al Qaeda-linked JNIM claimed an attack on Niger’s Niamey airport and military airbase, underscoring ongoing Sahel instability that can disrupt air and logistics operations. Supply Chain Visibility: GS1 South Africa Indaba highlighted the need for better traceability and transparency as African trade integration grows, pushing firms toward digital compliance approaches.

Maritime Decarbonisation: Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority welcomed the maiden transit of CMA CGM’s LNG-powered mega-ship NOTRE DAME, underscoring the canal’s ability to handle next-gen vessels and support lower-emissions shipping. Air Connectivity & Disruption: Qatar Airways says it has restored 85% of its pre-Iran war network and is reshaping leadership to drive demand, while Emirates is selling “conflict-related” travel insurance to encourage passengers back via Dubai. Gulf Freight Squeeze: Gulf carriers introduced booking limits, suspended some corridors, and added emergency container surcharges up to $3,800 as operators prioritise medicine and perishables amid regional instability. Logistics Corridor (GCC): Gulf Warehousing Company launched an air-to-land logistics corridor using the TIR system to move cargo from Hamad Airport across GCC borders under one customs document. Aviation Security (Niger): Gunmen attacked Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport; the army repelled the assault and is hunting attackers after a similar January strike. Roadmap for Trade (Kenya): Kenya’s transport ministry denied claims that tycoon Wicknell Chivayo’s firm was involved in the JKIA revamp tender, saying it did not bid or join any consortium. Ebola Preparedness (South Africa): A top SA infectious-disease expert warned an imported Ebola case is “only a matter of time” if the DRC outbreak isn’t contained, citing frequent flights and the need for fast isolation and contact tracing. Agritech & Food Security (Kenya): Kenya approved confined field trials of a gene-edited BXW-resistant banana, a milestone for home-grown gene-edited crops. Urban Mobility & Safety (South Africa): The Electoral Commission flagged low voter registration among 18–19-year-olds ahead of a June 20–21 drive, with voter-management devices and offline data capture ready for stations.

Aviation & Business Aviation: AFBAA launched a continent-wide data study on African business aviation to replace fragmented, anecdotal market information with a unified dataset for investment, policy and safety planning, with early findings due in September 2026. Humanitarian Logistics & Forecasting: The UAE is studying an AI-powered Humanitarian Aid Predictive Centre to help relief agencies act before crises escalate, aiming to strengthen rapid response as aid funding tightens. Ebola Response & Safe Transport: In eastern DRC, Ebola misinformation is being tackled alongside strict safe-burial practices as the Bundibugyo outbreak strains local response capacity. Energy & Shipping Risk: Indonesia says it will keep importing Russian crude even as Hormuz reopening talks progress, reflecting ongoing volatility in regional energy and logistics. South Africa Mobility & Cost Pressure: Commentary flags that South Africa’s next inflation shock may be driven by weather and global supply-chain pressures, with transport and fuel costs still a key risk. Digital & Field Workforce Ops: Deel rolled out Deel Field Services for high-risk, on-site logistics-heavy sectors like oil & gas, mining and heavy logistics, targeting the $120B field services market.

Maritime Integration: Namibia is pushing to join the Maritime Organisation of Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (MOESNA), aiming to boost maritime safety, security, marine environmental protection and skills—while positioning Walvis Bay as a regional logistics hub. Immigration Enforcement & Transport: South Africa’s Virtual Priority Court in Durban has granted about 80 deportation orders as authorities speed up processing of undocumented migrants, with proceedings linked to eThekwini facilities. Fuel & Shipping Risk: Oil prices fall on reports of a US-Iran truce, but South Africans may not see a quick return to earlier fuel levels, with tax and levy changes still shaping pump prices. Road Mobility Pressure: Durban’s repatriation logistics remain strained as thousands of Malawians wait at Sherwood Park; a preacher, Shepherd Bushiri, says he is preparing 10 buses to help transport people home. Smart Cities: Windhoek unveiled a 10-year Smart City strategy with UN-Habitat support, targeting better urban services and mobility through digital transformation. Aviation/Trade Security: A global push for airport and marine port security continues, with market forecasts pointing to rapid growth as threats and cross-border crime rise.

Maritime & Trade Disruption: The Strait of Hormuz reopening is expected to ease shipping pressure and help African supply chains, as carriers watch how rates and routing change. Aviation & Connectivity: Nigeria reaffirmed its push for the Single African Air Transport Market, with officials calling for better infrastructure and seamless movement of people and goods. Road & Rail Safety: Zimbabwe reported a deadly train–bus collision, adding to a week of serious transport crashes across the region. Ebola & Public Health Logistics: Kenya’s Laikipia quarantine centre controversy has escalated into court action and protests, showing how health measures can collide with local politics and land history. E-commerce & Last-Mile Rules: Bolt warned Nigerian users over misuse of its parcel delivery service, including limits on parcel value/weight and bans on illegal or risky items. AfCFTA Implementation: A new analysis argues AfCFTA’s real test is faster, cheaper border movement—not more paperwork—highlighting persistent cross-border frictions for manufacturers and traders. Security & Organized Crime: Reports say Mexican cartel-linked actors are moving from transit to local synthetic drug production across parts of Africa, raising new enforcement and logistics risks. Policy & Investment: China expanded its zero-tariff policy to all eligible African countries, aiming to shift trade toward processed goods and value-chain upgrades.

Rail Safety: Zimbabwe mourns at least 9 dead and 25 injured after a freight train hit a bus at a level crossing, with police saying the bus driver failed to stop and check before crossing. Port Performance: South Africa’s Cape Town port lands last in the world in a 2025 container port ranking, underscoring how rerouted shipping around the Cape of Good Hope isn’t yet translating into better local logistics performance. Maritime Security: A Tanzania–DRC pact aims to boost cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, while separate reports flag ships trading shots with pirates. Aviation & Mobility: Qatar Airways says it’s restoring and expanding routes to more than 160 destinations, while South Africa’s transport scene also faces pressure from World Cup travel demand and congestion. Energy & Transport Costs: World Bank analysis says higher Middle East energy prices may help oil exporters like Nigeria and Angola, but will raise fuel and transport costs for many other African economies. Trade & Corridors: ECOWAS pushes AfCFTA implementation with $151m and airport tax cuts, as regional leaders push for faster cross-border movement.

Maritime Connectivity Deal: Tanzania’s TASHICO and DR Congo’s LMC signed a three-year pact to boost passenger and cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, with skills exchange and plans for longer-term shared vessels. Port Performance Boost: Nigeria’s Tin Can Island and Apapa ports ranked among the world’s top “most improved” terminals in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, signaling faster, more reliable operations despite global disruptions. Piracy Risk at Sea: Reports say commercial ships between Somalia and Yemen are facing more brazen pirate approaches, including shots fired and attempted boardings, prompting calls for heightened vigilance. EU Trade in Services: A new EU trade agreement with Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles goes beyond goods to cover services like maritime transport and financial services—opening access to offshore hubs. AI Cost Pressure: A new analysis warns Africa has under 1% of global AI computing capacity but pays up to 40% more for cloud services, risking exclusion from the AI economy. Language at Stake in AI: University of Ghana leadership warns AI systems struggle with Africa’s 2,000 languages due to data gaps, threatening knowledge visibility. West Africa Trade Deadlines: ECOWAS ministers set binding timelines to tackle non-tariff barriers that keep intra-regional trade stuck at 10–15% of commerce. Liberia Shipping Registry Question: Liberia’s landmark 300m+ gross tons registry milestone is met with scrutiny over why such wins haven’t translated into visible benefits for ordinary people.

Port Performance: South Africa’s Durban and Coega ports are among the biggest improvers in the World Bank–S&P Global Global Container Port Performance Index, cutting ship turnaround times in 2025 versus 2024, though average port stays still rose overall. Cross-border Transport Policy: Kenya’s NTSA dealer “KD” number plate enforcement has triggered protests in Mombasa, with car dealers asking for talks after system changes disrupted operations. Mobility & Road Safety: South Africa is expanding AARTO from July, with millions of motorists set to fall under the system, while authorities also continue probing recruitment-linked deaths of South Africans allegedly lured to fight in Russia. Digital & Logistics Tech: Kenya’s AI Everything summit in Nairobi drew 15,000+ delegates, pushing AI into public services and infrastructure; meanwhile, Dubai continues to position itself as a trade and logistics hub for firms targeting Gulf, Africa and Asia. Aviation & Trade Links: Egypt and Serbia discussed renewed air links and trade, with Serbia planning an office in Cairo by year-end. Maritime Security: A new push for stronger Africa–Japan and maritime security cooperation is highlighted around TICAD9 and related policy discussions.