AGP Executive Report

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help to more African users. Public Health: CDC issued a Level 2 travel health notice for a major diphtheria outbreak across Chad and six other countries, urging travelers to check vaccinations. Energy & Infrastructure: Cameroon’s SCDP and PAK are moving ahead on the Kribi hydrocarbons terminal, while Nigeria pushes solar exports and Cameroon seeks financing for the Yaoundé bypass. Climate & Water: Photo reporting from Chad highlights how rising heat and encroaching sand are threatening Sahara oases, and scientists warn El Niño is strengthening and could turn extreme. Food Sovereignty Tech: 20 African countries signed the N’Djamena Declaration to protect farmer seed systems from corporate control and “bio-digitalization.” Security in the Lake Chad region: Nigeria reports major ISWAP setbacks after senior bomb-related commanders surrendered, and analysts say regional forces like MNJTF must step up tactics and tech. Health Crisis in Borno: MSF says cholera cases and deaths in Borno remain severe, pointing to ongoing clean-water failures. Oil Governance: Nigeria’s Senate ordered the arrest of former NNPCL boss Mele Kyari over alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancies. Talent Call: Talentz MEDIA is recruiting volunteer entertainment writers and researchers across Africa, including Chad.

Energy Policy: Nigeria’s Frontier Exploration Fund is under pressure after EO9 suspended the 30% frontier exploration deduction, and experts warn oil work in the Lake Chad Basin and Kolmani fields is slowing with little commercial output yet. Public Health: MSF reports 7,850 suspected cholera cases and 74 deaths in Borno (May 1–June 7), with a sharp spike of 500+ admissions on June 5—blaming the lack of clean water and waste systems. Security & Tech: Two senior ISWAP figures surrendered to Nigerian troops in Yobe, including a bomb-making specialist, a win that could help dismantle explosives networks around the Lake Chad region. AI for Everyday Use: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search help to more users across the region. Climate & Food Systems: A Pan-African seed governance push in Chad backs legal protection for farmer-managed seed systems and warns against corporate “bio digitalization.” Health Travel Alert: CDC issued a Level 2 diphtheria travel notice covering Chad and six other countries after 20,412 suspected cases and 1,252 deaths were reported across 2025.

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help to more African users. Public Health Alert: CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for a major diphtheria outbreak across Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Mauritania and Somalia, urging travelers to be vaccinated. Climate Pressure: Scientists warn El Niño has arrived and could become “very strong,” raising risks of extreme weather that can hit food and health systems hard. Food & Seeds Sovereignty: 20 African countries signed the N’Djamena Declaration in Chad to protect farmer seed systems from restrictive corporate rules and “bio digitalization.” Security Tech & Counterterrorism: Nigerian troops in Yobe State received ISWAP defectors, including a bomb-making specialist, a win that could disrupt explosives networks. Energy Infrastructure: Cameroon’s SCDP and PAK are advancing the Kribi hydrocarbons terminal after approvals and protocol signings. Renewables Trade: Nigeria exported solar panels worth N85.79bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift toward regional clean-energy supply.

Cholera in Borno: MSF says 7,850 suspected cholera cases and 74 deaths were recorded across 14 local government areas in Borno between 1 May and 7 June, with treatment centres in Maiduguri seeing up to 500 admissions in a single day—another stark reminder that clean water and waste systems are still failing people. AI for everyday life: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help to more users across Africa. Public health travel alert: The CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for a multi-country diphtheria outbreak affecting Chad and six other countries, urging travelers to be up to date on vaccination. Climate pressure on food systems: A Pan-African seed governance push in Chad’s N’Djamena calls for legal protection of farmer-managed seed systems against restrictive IP rules and “bio-digitalization.” Security tech and counter-terror: Nigeria and the US report major ISWAP degradation in Borno through joint operations, including the elimination of over 200 fighters and disruption of bomb-making networks.

AI in the Browser: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help to more African users. Public Health Alert: The U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 travel notice for a major diphtheria outbreak across Chad and six other countries, urging travelers to check vaccination status. Climate & Water Security: Photo reporting from Chad shows Sahara oases under pressure as sand encroaches; farmers are using palm-frond barriers and solar-powered pumps to protect crops. Energy Infrastructure: Cameroon’s SCDP and PAK are partnering to move forward on the Kribi hydrocarbons terminal, aimed at boosting petroleum logistics and energy security. Entrepreneurship Boost: Africa’s Business Heroes named its 2026 Top 100 from 24,000+ applications, including founders working in AI, fintech, agriculture, health, and climate innovation. Security Tech Angle: Nigeria and the U.S. say joint operations degraded ISWAP capabilities, while Boko Haram/ISWAP continue to exploit digital gaps for propaganda and recruitment.

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help for search and understanding to more African users. Cybersecurity: Researchers warn about UNC3753 (“Chatty Spider”) using voice phishing and social engineering to steal data and extort dozens of U.S. organizations. Food Systems & Rights: African countries signed the N’Djamena Declaration in Chad to protect farmer seed systems from restrictive IP rules and corporate control. Climate Risk: NOAA says El Niño is active and could strengthen into a “very strong” event, raising fears for extreme drought and crop failures. Energy & Industry: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying. Security Tech & Intel: Nigeria-U.S. cooperation is reported to have degraded ISWAP capabilities, while troops also secured the surrender of alleged bomb specialists in Yobe.

Oil Accountability: Nigeria’s Senate escalates its probe into NNPCL finances, issuing an arrest warrant for former boss Mele Kyari over alleged ₦210 trillion ($155B) discrepancies from 2017–2023. AI in Everyday Life: Google expands “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, pushing built-in AI search and help into more African markets. Climate Risk for Africa: NOAA declares El Niño is active and could become “very strong,” raising odds of extreme weather that can hit food and health systems hard. Seeds Under Pressure: In N’Djamena, 20 African countries back the “N’Djamena Declaration” to protect farmer seed systems from restrictive seed laws and corporate control, including “bio-digitalization.” Lake Chad Security: Nigerian troops report major ISWAP setbacks as senior bomb-linked commanders surrender in Yobe, with intelligence expected to disrupt explosives networks. Energy Industry: Nigeria says it exported solar panels worth N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importer to regional supplier. Tech Governance: IBM warns AI leaders are accountable for systems they don’t fully control, as AI agent deployments outpace governance. Infrastructure Finance: Cameroon weighs financing for the $2.2bn Yaoundé bypass, with an Indian firm proposing an EPC-plus-financing approach.

AI in the Browser: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search and help to more African users (Chad included in the wider rollout). Climate Signals: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, with high odds that 2026 stays among the four warmest years—bad news for heat, rain patterns, and planning. Energy Tech & Trade: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying—US leads buyers. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria and the US say joint operations in Borno degraded ISWAP, killing over 200 fighters and neutralizing Abu Bilal al-Minuki; separately, two senior ISWAP bomb specialists surrendered in Yobe. Cybersecurity: A US-focused data theft extortion campaign (UNC3753) used vishing and social engineering to break into organizations and steal legal and financial records. Power Grid Risk: A new study warns climate change could synchronize solar low-output failures across Africa’s power pools, stressing regional electricity reliability. Local Tech Capacity: ABU researchers are being trained in computational catalysis, pushing Nigeria to build more homegrown expertise instead of relying on foreign specialists.

Climate Watch: May 2026 hit the world’s second-hottest May on record, with NOAA saying there’s about a 95% chance 2026 lands among the four warmest years—bad news for already-stressed regions. Energy & Industry: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying, with the US as the top buyer. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria and the US said joint operations in Borno degraded ISWAP, including neutralizing a top ISIS commander and dismantling checkpoints and training sites. Lake Chad Threats: Analysts warn the MNJTF must boost tactical and technological efforts as Boko Haram and ISWAP keep using Lake Chad’s islands and swamps. AI Governance: An IBM study finds many African and global tech leaders are accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while governance lags behind fast AI rollout. Cybercrime: US researchers detailed a vishing-led data theft extortion campaign (UNC3753) hitting legal and financial firms. Water & Food: Op-eds highlight how warming is breaking old water-control assumptions, with farmers in the Sahel reading harsher climate signals.

Renewables Trade: Nigeria exported solar panels worth N85.79bn in Q1 2026, with the US as the biggest buyer, signaling a shift from importing to manufacturing-led regional supply. AI Governance Gap: An IBM study says CIOs/CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while AI adoption is outpacing governance—especially as agent deployments are expected to surge. Cybercrime Tactics: Google-linked researchers describe UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” using vishing and social engineering to trick targets into remote access and data theft extortion. Lake Chad Security Tech: Analysts say the MNJTF must step up tactical and technological efforts against Boko Haram/ISWAP, as attacks increasingly exploit Lake Chad’s islands and swamps. Chad-Sudan Border Response: MSF reports drone strikes at the Chad-Sudan border, treating 116 wounded in one month. Health Training in Chad: Merck Foundation is expanding cancer care capacity across Africa, including Chad, by funding oncology clinical training and building first local cancer care teams. Climate & Power Systems: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening grid resilience. Finance Regulation: Banking regulators met in Yaoundé to tackle risks from financial innovation and digital services.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says most CIOs/CTOs are accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, with AI adoption outpacing governance as agent deployments are expected to surge. Cybercrime in Focus: U.S. researchers detail UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” using voice phishing and social engineering to break into organizations and steal legal and financial data. Security Tech & Policy: Nigeria’s Sen. Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in Borno’s Mandara Mountains to disrupt Boko Haram routes—an argument built on terrain and surveillance. Health & Training: Merck Foundation expands cancer care capacity across multiple African countries, including Chad, training new oncology specialists and teams. Climate-Energy Risk: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening grid resilience. Local Tech Capacity: ABU researchers get training in computational catalysis, pushing Nigeria to build indigenous expertise instead of relying on foreign specialists. Chad in the Spotlight: MSF reports drone-strike casualties near the Chad-Sudan border, with 116 treated since May.

Cancer Care Training in Africa: Merck Foundation is expanding cancer capacity across the region, including Chad, by funding hundreds of oncology scholarships and launching the “Ray of Hope” cancer awareness storybook/animation with African First Ladies. AI Governance Gap: An IBM study warns CIOs and CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they don’t fully control, as AI agent deployments accelerate faster than governance can keep up. Cybercrime in the Spotlight: Google-linked researchers detail UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” vishing and remote-access scams used to steal data from U.S. organizations. Solar Grid Risk: A new study finds climate change is increasing the chance that multiple African power pools suffer low-solar output at the same time, threatening regional reliability. Chad-Sudan Border Strikes: MSF reports drone strikes near Tina, with 116 wounded treated in one month, including severe burns and more women and children among casualties. Language Policy in Chad: Chad’s education shift to give Standard Arabic equal status with French signals a deeper political realignment in schools. Banking Regulators Meet: CABS convenes in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new risks reshape supervision across Africa.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says many CIOs/CTOs are held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while AI agent deployments are set to surge and governance is lagging. Cybercrime in the Spotlight: Google links UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” to a U.S. data theft extortion campaign using vishing and in-person intrusions to steal legal, personal, and financial records. Energy Resilience for Africa: A new study warns climate change could synchronize solar power failures across Africa’s regional grids, sharply raising low-output days and stressing reliability. Chad-Sudan Border Health Impact: MSF reports intensified drone strikes near Tina, with 116 wounded treated since May and severe burns and blast injuries overwhelming Tiné Hospital. Borno Security Tech Push: Senator Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in the Mandara Mountains to monitor and disrupt Boko Haram routes. Chad Education & Digital Learning: Nigeria’s ICT equipment rollout to 15 colleges of education (with regional partners including Chad) aims to boost digital literacy and teacher training. Water & Climate Thinking: An OpEd argues that centuries of controlling water are breaking down as warming reshapes water cycles, forcing new approaches.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says CIOs and CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, as AI agent deployment accelerates and governance lags. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria’s Navy reports a drone-supported Lake Chad surveillance mission that led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics collaborator. Chad-Sudan Border Care: MSF says drone strikes near the Chadian border have driven a steady flow of wounded patients to Tiné Hospital, including burns and blast trauma. Borno Defense Push: Senator Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in Borno’s Mandara Mountains to monitor and disrupt Boko Haram routes. Sustainability in Practice: TIKA showcases a zero-waste and recycling project in Chad at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival, alongside education and circular-economy initiatives. Banking Oversight: Regulators meet in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise risks across Africa. Education & Digital Learning: Nigeria distributes ICT equipment to 15 Colleges of Education to expand digital literacy and safer, better training. Language Policy in Chad: Chad moves to give Standard Arabic equal status with French in schools, highlighting the politics behind education choices.

Sustainability & Recycling in Focus: TIKA brought a “zero waste” push to Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival, including a Gaza-focused workshop honoring journalist Yahya Barzaq and a Chad zero-waste waste-management project, with plans for a recycling education center. Water & Climate Reality Check: A new op-ed argues that 6,000 years of controlling water no longer works as warming disrupts water cycles, pushing ecosystems toward a sixth extinction. Health Under Fire at the Chad-Sudan Border: MSF says drone strikes near Tina have driven repeated mass casualties; 116 wounded were treated since May began, with severe burns and blast injuries and more women and children among patients. Digital Learning Push: Nigeria’s education ministry distributed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education (with Japan, AU, and UNESCO support) to expand teacher training and safer, more inclusive digital learning. Banking Regulation Meets Tech Change: African banking supervisors gathered in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise fresh risks. Chad Language Policy: Chad’s education shift to give Standard Arabic equal status with French is framed as a political move with long-term identity implications.

Water & Climate Reality Check: A new op-ed argues that 6,000 years of controlling water no longer works as warming scrambles rainfall, floods, and ecosystems, pushing the planet toward harsher, harder-to-manage cycles. Conservation Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) signed a four-year framework with IUCN to boost biodiversity conservation, species recovery, and “nature-positive” development. Lake Chad Border Health Crisis: MSF says drone strikes near the Chad-Sudan border have intensified since May, with 116 wounded treated at Tiné Hospital in total and 69 admissions between 17–26 May. Digital Learning Push: Nigeria’s education ministry handed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education (with Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, and AU support) to expand teacher training and digital literacy across West Africa, including Chad. Banking Regulation in the Region: Cameroon hosted CABS talks on strengthening prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise fresh supervisory risks. Security Tech in Counter-Terror Ops: Nigeria’s Navy reports a drone-supported Lake Chad surveillance mission leading to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics collaborator.