AGP Executive Report

Research & Innovation: Ghana’s communications innovation director Emmanuel Ofori urged Africa to fund research and development to stop being a “consuming continent,” calling for indigenous inquiry that turns into real impact. Youth & Jobs Policy: Nigeria’s Omoyele Sowore renewed calls to suspend and scrap the NYSC after the abduction of prospective corps members, proposing a voluntary National Job Corps focused on skills, agriculture and public works. Food Systems Platform: Global Food Week 2026 (Abu Dhabi, Oct 6–8) will bring FAO, WOAH and other partners to push food security and agrifood systems transformation. Cocoa & Climate-Smart Farming: Barry Callebaut is testing assisted natural regeneration in Ivory Coast, blending natural tree regrowth with targeted planting to build more resilient cocoa landscapes. Agri-Industry Finance: Afreximbank extended a EUR 40m revolving working capital facility to Cameroon’s Prometal SA to expand steel output for construction and agricultural equipment. Trade & Integration: Egypt’s Alamein-Africa Forum opened with calls for stronger intra-African trade and private-sector-led integration, as Egypt and Tanzania discussed port expansion and joint agricultural land reclamation. Livestock Health: UK bluetongue cases topped 2,000 in 2026, with climate-linked spread raising risks for livestock producers.

Animal Health & Biosecurity: Palawan in the Philippines confirmed its first African swine fever case, quarantining Agutaya and launching a three-day depopulation drive while providing disinfectants, test kits and surveillance support. Governance & Accountability: South Africa’s Special Tribunal dismissed former ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe’s bid to halt SIU civil recovery over alleged irregular procurement of waste-collection vehicles. Investment & Trade: Zambia’s ZDA targets over US$5bn in deals at Invest-Zambia International Conference in Lusaka this December, aiming to unlock partnerships across sectors. Agribusiness & Power for Farming: Kenya’s KETRACO switched on a new 132kV line to improve electricity reliability in Rumuruti, supporting irrigation and farm-linked businesses. Horticulture Inputs: Kirinyaga, Kenya, says a new seedlings propagation centre is cutting costs and boosting yields with certified, disease-free planting materials. Food Security via Irrigation: Ghana will add 175 hectares of all-year rice irrigation at Anumso under Feed Ghana, reducing reliance on rainfall. Poultry Exports Push: South Africa’s Rainbow Chicken urges government to help unlock export markets by tackling veterinary and regulatory barriers. Conservation with Funding Logic: African Parks says its Verifiable Nature Unit pilot in Malawi has expanded to parks covering 1.37m hectares, aiming to measure nature outcomes for long-term support.

Agri-Trade Pressure: South Africa’s agricultural exports to neighbours dipped in Q2 2026 as higher fuel-driven transport costs cut volumes, hitting items like wheat flour and vegetable products. Regional Market Push: Ghana’s deputy foreign minister urged firms to tap the ECOWAS market of 300+ million people, stressing duty-free trade for qualifying goods and the need to understand bloc rules. Aquaculture & Fisheries: Zambia says it’s committed to growing fisheries and aquaculture, citing rising production and new feed investment to support farmers. Animal Health: Palawan confirmed its first African swine fever case and moved fast with quarantine and depopulation to contain spread. Jobs & Agri Skills: Tanzania’s jobs challenge is about creating more productive, formal work, with agriculture and agro-processing flagged as key areas for investment. Policy & Governance: South Africa’s SIU welcomed the arrest of a former rural development finance official over alleged fraud tied to land restitution funds. Education for Farmers’ Future: WAEC appointed Nigerian Dr Amos Dangut as Registrar/CEO, starting Oct 1, 2026. Security Shock: Suspected Boko Haram militants killed at least 18 villagers collecting firewood in Borno, underscoring risks for rural livelihoods.

Agribusiness & Food Security: Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari says the country can’t feed a projected 400m people by expanding farmland alone, urging stronger agricultural extension and productivity gains. Finance for Farming: The IFC warns that under 5% of commercial bank lending in Nigeria goes to agriculture, pushing for better credit flows to agribusiness. Livestock Health: Palawan (Philippines) confirmed its first African Swine Fever case and launched quarantine and depopulation steps to stop spread. Regional Fisheries: Namibia and South Africa completed their first joint sea patrol against illegal fishing, strengthening enforcement across shared waters. Trade & Infrastructure: Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port is cutting vessel handling times and boosting throughput, reinforcing its role as an Indian Ocean trade gateway. Energy for Agriculture: Zimbabwe unveiled a solar rollout targeting power for sectors including agriculture, alongside mining and public institutions.

African Swine Fever Controls: Municipalities in Nigeria’s and Southern Africa’s orbit are tightening pig movement rules as ASF fears rise—Bayambang (Pangasinan) imposed a 30-day ban on live pigs and pork after cases in six barangays, while Naujan (Oriental Mindoro) issued an order barring entry and local activities involving live pigs and setting up ASF checkpoints. Livestock Resilience: FAO urged African countries to use science and technology to protect rangelands and strengthen pastoral livelihoods, warning that climate stress, invasive species and land encroachment are squeezing grazing ecosystems. Regional Pest Threats: Eastern Africa is stepping up cross-border action against migratory pests at the DLCO-EA meeting in Entebbe, with calls for stronger early warning and rapid response systems. Livestock Market Signals: Absa’s AgriTrends reports improving grazing and lower feed costs are helping cattle and sheep producers rebuild herds, while pork and poultry recovery is easing supply disruptions. Policy Scrutiny on Aid: The EU parliament called for tighter, measurable scrutiny of aid programmes in Africa to ensure benefits are sustainable and deliver real outcomes for people and the environment. Coffee Spotlight: International Coffee Day highlighted how smallholder farmers in Africa and beyond depend on fair returns as consumers celebrate the crop’s global connections.

Climate & Food Security: El Niño is already established and expected to strengthen toward late 2026, raising risks of extreme heat and shifting rainfall patterns that could hit South African dams and farming, with knock-on effects for food prices. Agricultural Extension: Ghana’s TAAT Soybean Compact trained 30 Agricultural Extension Agents on improved soybean varieties, good agronomic practices, mechanisation-ready production, and climate-smart, market-oriented cultivation. Regional Infrastructure for Trade: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development approved a $100m facility for Nigeria’s Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway to cut transport costs and boost cross-border movement of goods and people. Nigeria Independence & Farm Focus: President Tinubu’s Independence Day address framed a shift from “reform” to “prosperity,” stressing lower cost of living through mechanised agriculture, consumer credit, and domestic gas to power industry and jobs. Agri-Related Risk & Safety: Zimbabwe’s Wicknell Chivayo and his wife were killed in a helicopter crash near Marondera; investigations are ongoing. Agri Markets: South Africa’s avocado exports rose to 21m cartons, but EU price pressure from oversupply and timing challenges kept returns under strain.

Agricultural Extension Reform (Nigeria): Nigeria’s agriculture ministry is pushing a shift from supply-driven extension to demand-driven advisory services, arguing farmers need verified, market-linked information tailored to their needs. Food Security & Land Reform (South Africa): A new analysis highlights South Africa’s paradox: national food availability is strong, but household food insecurity persists due to affordability, unemployment, inequality, and stalled land reform. Fisheries & Climate Resilience (Comoros): A World Bank study warns Comoros’ small-scale fisheries are highly exposed to climate impacts like coastal erosion and coral bleaching, urging urgent investment to protect livelihoods. Coffee Producer Costs (Cameroon): Cameroon calls for better pay for coffee farmers facing higher sustainability and traceability compliance costs, warning standards shouldn’t become hidden trade barriers. Agri-Trade Diversification (South Africa/China): South African exporters are increasingly targeting China and other BRICS markets as trade friction rises, with firms working to meet Chinese regulatory requirements. Livestock Feed Deal (Nigeria): UAC Nigeria exits Livestock Feeds in a N19.5bn all-cash sale to Sunbeth, aiming to deepen agro-processing value-chain integration. Wildlife & Conservation (Botswana): Botswana faces backlash over authorising the killing of 23 elephants for independence celebrations amid conservation and foot-and-mouth concerns.

Nutrition & Seeds: Tanzania has released three vitamin A-rich banana varieties (Bira, Lahi and Apantu) to tackle vitamin A deficiency and boost farmer access to improved planting material. Farm Policy & Trade: A new poll finds four in five farmers support a European move toward cage-free farming, with pressure building on the EU Commission to deliver its promised ban. Post-Harvest & Markets: Kisumu’s Kibuye Regional Market redevelopment (Sh3.5bn) is at tendering stage, aiming to strengthen the Lake Victoria trade hub. Input Costs & Compliance: South Africa’s SARS says farmers claiming diesel refunds must reregister on a new eFiling system; VAT-linked claims continue during the transition. Urban Farming: A rooftop hydroponic garden in Hillbrow is helping residents grow food faster with less water, while building skills and income. Agribusiness & Exports: Liberia-China trade rose 16% in seven months, helped by China’s zero-tariff treatment and Liberia’s first dried chili pepper exports. Finance Pressure: Zambia plans K212.2bn for debt service (2027-2029), outstripping combined spending on FISP, CDF, free education and school feeding.

Climate-Smart Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved a $10m climate-smart agriculture facility for Togo, Ghana and Senegal, aiming to help farmers access financing and adopt more resilient practices. Agri-Resilience & Food Security: A study on northern Uganda pastoralists shows families are turning to previously unused wild edible plants as shortages bite, raising questions about how biodiversity affects coping capacity. Kenya Weather Watch: Kenya Meteorological Department forecasts rain in 32 counties from Sept 29 to Oct 5, with activity across the Coast, Rift Valley, Nairobi and parts of the north—key for farming planning. Aquaculture Policy: Kenya’s Senate is petitioning to control the spread of cage fish farming in Lake Victoria, spotlighting governance around aquaculture growth. Livestock Biosecurity: Uganda’s food stress and ASF risk are both in focus as authorities tighten animal movement checks; in the Philippines, Bulalacao strengthened border monitoring after ASF reached nearby Occidental Mindoro. Jobs & Agriculture Link: Zimbabwe’s president said agriculture grew 27.9% in 2025 and unveiled a drought resilience plan for the 2026/27 season, as below-normal rainfall is expected.

El Niño Food Security: FAO is urging more funding for Sudan as El Niño threatens food security across the Horn, focusing on staple crops, livestock health and animal feed support. Storm Risk: South Africa issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and localised flooding across provinces including Gauteng and Limpopo—watch roads and informal settlements. Ghana-US Development Talks: MCC opened discussions with Ghana on a possible return to a development partnership, reviewing past compact results and potential new investment and supply-chain links. ECOWAS Startup Push: ECOWAS Startup Awards handed out $65,000 total prizes and a six-month acceleration for 60 agri-tech and food-systems startups. Dangote Refinery Court Halt: Kenya’s court paused construction of Dangote’s $16bn Lamu refinery pending a hearing on Oct 14, after residents challenged land rights and environmental compliance. Nigeria Rice Relief: Nigeria’s imported long-grain rice prices reportedly fell by up to ₦15,000 per 50kg bag since January, easing pressure on household food costs. Kenya Forestry Jobs Drive: Kenya approved new external finance to shift forestry toward investment and jobs, aiming to turn restoration and tree-growing into a bankable industry.

Wildlife & Land Rights: A new meta-analysis on trophy hunting across 13 African countries says it can deliver positive outcomes for wildlife habitat and local people—especially where communities or private landowners control land and share revenues, with habitat gains reported in 92% of cases. ASF Biosecurity: In the Philippines, Alegria and Badian tightened African swine fever controls by stopping outside hog/pork imports and stepping up monitoring of backyard raisers after ASF DNA was detected in quarantined barangays. Rural Development & Land: South Africa’s rural debate is again focused on whether more land for households can translate into higher production, incomes, and “emerging farmers,” but the discussion highlights how history and policy support shape results. Food Systems & Trade: Ghana’s wheat problem persists as bread relies heavily on imports—Russia shipped millions of tonnes to Africa in 2026, with Egypt and Kenya among major buyers. Child Protection in Agriculture: Ghana rolled out a digital Ghana Child Labour Monitoring System to identify, document, refer and follow up cases, including in agriculture and other informal work. Rabies Risk: South Africa recorded 15 human rabies deaths in 2026 so far, with calls for pet vaccination and faster care after bites or scratches. Water & Rivers: Nigeria’s NIWE urged urgent action to protect River Kaduna from pollution and ecosystem degradation as World Rivers Day 2026 highlighted threats to farming and fisheries.

Aquaculture & Skills: A new profile traces how an aquaculture manager moved from tilapia hatcheries in Côte d’Ivoire to large-scale Nile tilapia production in Kenya, highlighting the shift toward efficiency, profitability and sustainability in African fish farming. Human Rights & Extractives: Integrity Watch Liberia, with EU support, trained government and civil society on monitoring business conduct and human rights in forestry and extractive sectors, focusing on grievance and accountability. Climate, Food & Funding Gaps: UN FAO warns the Horn of Africa faces El Niño-driven food risks amid a major funding shortfall, urging pooled resources and anticipatory action to protect millions. Farm Risk Insurance: Ghana’s GAIP pilots Germination Index Insurance, using rainfall data to trigger payouts for smallholders during the seed germination window. Heat Stress Threat: A report projects up to 1,200 extra heat-related deaths in South Africa by early 2027, with Sahel and Nigeria also heavily exposed. Water for Industry: South Africa and Zimbabwe discuss a $500m cross-border dam plan to supply water to the Musina-Makhado industrial zone. Youth & Markets: Namibia’s president calls for skills plus real markets for young people entering green and digital sectors, including agriculture and value addition. Offshore Wind & Power Planning: South Africa’s offshore wind push gets a regulatory boost via a World Bank-backed strategic framework, with the Gagasi project aiming for grid supply in about five years. Agriculture Events: A calendar lists agri events for 28 Sept–2 Oct in the region.

Regional Food Security & Trade: Djibouti has started building a new Damerjog energy terminal (375,000 m³ storage; up to 5m tonnes/year) to secure fuel supplies for Ethiopia and strengthen port-rail-pipeline logistics. Livestock & Disease Watch: Namibia faces foot-and-mouth disease fallout, triggering panic meat buying in Windhoek and forcing the Grootfontein Show to run without livestock auctions/exhibitions. Agribusiness Deals: Ghana’s Northern-Savanna and Complete Farmer are partnering to grow and export 500+ acres of white sesame to international markets. Health Systems: Zambia says it’s pushing local vaccine manufacturing capacity and urges faster WHO pandemic agreement negotiations. Climate & Water Risks: Lake Victoria stakeholders warn El Niño rains could worsen pollution from sewage, runoff and industrial waste unless wastewater treatment is strengthened. Finance for Farmers: Ecobank plans a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-led businesses and agricultural SMEs, including $600m for agri-SMEs. Policy Pressure (Nigeria): Atiku Abubakar backs labour’s call for a higher minimum wage, arguing N70,000 has lost purchasing power amid rising fuel, food and rent.

Ghana Fertiliser Push: Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture and ABC Oyeasase Yie Ltd signed an MoU for a $50m fertiliser blending plant in the Eastern Region, aiming to boost organic fertiliser supply for farmers and support the Feed Ghana programme. Cameroon Banana Support: Cameroon’s banana sector received €48.1m (CFAF 31.6bn) from the EU between 2013-2024 to raise yields and cut losses, but export markets still face diversification gaps as tariff preferences erode. South Africa Farm Inputs & Prices: South Africa’s fresh produce market saw carrots and tomatoes fall, while onions stayed extremely high—onion prices averaged R156.70 per 10kg bag, up sharply year-on-year. Livestock Protection Tech: South African researchers are developing smarter ways to tackle black-backed jackal predation on small livestock farms, moving beyond ineffective lethal and “call-and-shoot” methods. EAC Inflation Watch: East Africa’s headline inflation eased to 7.8% in June, but food and core inflation rose, keeping pressure on household budgets and farm costs. Climate Risk for Farmers: El Niño-linked funding gaps and rising food and fertiliser insecurity are being flagged as a major threat to Global South agriculture and recovery.

Fertilizer Controversy in Uganda: Farmers in Uganda are questioning whether a government “free” fertilizer programme is truly free, after reports that beneficiaries must pay Shs54,000 per 50kg bag under a 70% subsidy model, alongside concerns over district allocations, distribution and supplier quality. Livestock Health Watch: Namibia has confirmed foot-and-mouth disease in its internationally recognised FMD-free zone, triggering movement restrictions and trade suspensions—an economic and livelihood warning for farmers and exporters. Regional Food Security: Ghana’s National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has been ordered to release 50,000 bags of grain to settle an ECOWAS obligation tied to the School Feeding Programme, citing improved maize production and NAFCO profitability. Agribusiness & Jobs: Uganda’s Fine Spinners is investing an additional US$5m (about Shs19.7bn) in new machinery to expand textile output and deepen local value addition for African and export markets. Youth, Skills & AI: A push is growing for African youth to move beyond being AI users—toward building, regulating and applying digital tools in agriculture and business. PPR Eradication Drive: Tanzania and partners are pushing PPR from political commitment to funded implementation, with FAO convening stakeholders in Rome to accelerate vaccination and livestock protection.

Livestock Health Watch: Namibia confirmed a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak and halted livestock movement, raising alarms for beef supply and farmers’ cashflow. Disease & Biosecurity: South Africa’s jackal predation is worsening livestock losses, with researchers warning that common lethal control can backfire by disrupting predator social systems. Food Security & Climate Pressure: ECOWAS parliamentarians warned that shrinking land and water are turning climate stress into a security “time bomb,” intensifying farmer-herder clashes across West Africa. Breeding for Resilience: Nigerian plant breeders and stakeholders urged bigger funding for breeding innovations, research, and infrastructure to build climate- and disease-resistant crops. Transboundary Water Law: A legal explainer on the “no significant harm” principle highlights how shared rivers like the Blue Nile require safeguards to prevent measurable downstream damage. Agrifood Finance: Ethiopia increased its IFAD14 contribution tenfold to boost rural transformation, while 10 African countries pledged nearly $9m to IFAD to accelerate agrifood systems. Regional Infrastructure: Ethiopia and Djibouti backed Dangote’s $660m fuel pipeline, pitching faster, more resilient fuel logistics for landlocked Ethiopia. Conservation & Ecosystems: Samoa’s flatworm experiment to curb invasive snails spiralled into broader native snail declines, a warning for invasive-species fixes. Rural Risk: Nigeria faced renewed scrutiny after 37 miners died in custody following illegal mining raids, underscoring the need for safer, formalised artisanal mining systems.