AGP Executive Report

Regional Integration & Tech Transfer: At the AU’s 8th mid-year coordination meeting in El-Alamein, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye pushed beyond AfCFTA paperwork toward stronger production, value addition, and cross-border infrastructure—roads, rail, energy and digital links included. Water Diplomacy: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reiterated rejection of “external interference” and urged coordinated management of shared rivers, framing water as a real test of Africa’s ability to integrate. Security & Development: Ndayishimiye warned that persistent violence is shutting down farming, schools and development planning across the continent. Port & Logistics Growth: Tanzania reported a 17% rise in Dar es Salaam transit cargo to 14.61m tonnes in 2025/26, led by DRC, Zambia and Rwanda—good news for faster, more predictable supply chains. Health Tech & Safety: Uganda’s WHO update on health-worker shortages sparked debate over exporting nurses and midwives. Public Health Warning: Uganda’s NDA flagged an illegal “sildenafil” energy drink, warning consumers about undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. Industrial Engineering: Dangote’s $16bn, 700,000-bpd Lamu refinery broke ground with major engineering contracts and a planned 60,000 jobs, aiming to boost local technical capacity.

Water & Climate Tech: WaveSave is showcasing SlamDam, a portable flood barrier developed in the Netherlands and now used across multiple countries, offering a low-cost, temporary way to protect farmland and critical facilities during freshwater floods. Regional Investment Diplomacy: Tanzania is pushing new trade and investment links with Qatar, Oman, Vietnam, Russia and Burundi, culminating in an investment forum in London on 8 October. Continental Integration & Production: At the AU’s 8th mid-year coordination meeting in Egypt, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye argued that AfCFTA needs stronger local production, value addition, technology transfer and better transport and digital infrastructure. Health & Medicines Safety: Uganda’s National Drug Authority warned of an illegal energy drink containing undeclared sildenafil, urging consumers to avoid the product after lab testing. Energy & Industry Jobs: Construction momentum is building for the $16bn Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu, with plans for major engineering work and about 60,000 jobs, plus technology partnerships. Trade Logistics: Dar es Salaam transit cargo rose 17% in 2025/26, driven by higher flows to DRC, Zambia and Rwanda—highlighting how corridor reliability affects regional business.

East African Trade & Logistics: Dar es Salaam Port’s transit cargo jumped 17% to 14.61 million tonnes in 2025/26, led by DRC (+30% to 7.77m), Zambia (3.41m) and Rwanda (+24% to 2.18m), showing how corridor reliability and clearance times shape regional supply chains. Regional Integration Strategy: At the East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi, leaders warned that firms still treat EAC markets country-by-country, despite the bloc’s 300+ million consumers—pushing for cross-border business rules as a practical strategy. Burundi–Tanzania Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania launched their Seventh Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura to review cooperation on trade, transport, energy, minerals, health, education, and science & technology. Health Workforce Policy: WHO removed Uganda from its severe health worker shortage list, with officials saying Uganda is producing more workers in some cadres than the domestic system can absorb, while shortages persist in others. Public Health Safety: Uganda’s National Drug Authority warned against an illegal “energy drink” linked to undeclared sildenafil, after lab tests found the prescription-only ingredient. Energy & Industry (Pan-Africa): African leaders joined Aliko Dangote and Kenya’s Ruto to break ground on the $16bn, 700,000 bpd Lamu refinery, aiming to boost local engineering jobs and reduce reliance on imported fuel.

Science & Tech in Burundi: Burundi and Tanzania kicked off a new Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura (Sept 29–30) to review cooperation and expand ties across trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, health, education, and science & technology. Regional Infrastructure: Dar es Salaam’s transit cargo jumped 17% to 14.61m tonnes in 2025/26, led by DRC (+30%), Zambia, and Rwanda—good news for East Africa’s logistics and for Burundi-linked supply routes. Health & Workforce: WHO removed Uganda from its severe health-worker shortage list, sparking debate over health system capacity and the risks of exporting nurses and midwives. Public Safety Tech: Uganda’s NDA warned against an illegal energy drink found to contain undeclared sildenafil, after lab testing. Energy & Industry: The $16bn Dangote East African refinery in Lamu advanced with major contracts and a push for local engineering jobs—relevant to the region’s industrial technology ambitions. Digital Trust: East Africa’s e-commerce is shifting to mobile and messaging, but consumer trust is now the key bottleneck.

East Africa Business & Trade: The East Africa CEO & Investment Forum in Nairobi pushed a simple idea: stop treating Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and neighbors as separate markets, and start building regional integration as a business strategy—because border delays, fragmented logistics and rising transport costs keep expansion expensive and unpredictable. AU Water, Sanitation & Integration: At the AU’s 8th mid-year coordination meeting in Egypt, leaders focused on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, while Egypt’s El-Sisi urged cooperation on shared rivers and rejected foreign interference in African affairs. Burundi–Tanzania Tech & Development Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania launched their 7th Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura, covering trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, health, education, and science & technology, with a push to add new cooperation areas and implementation measures. Health & Workforce: WHO’s decision to remove Uganda from a severe health worker shortage list sparked debate—some say it enables exporting nurses and midwives; others worry about gaps where shortages still persist. Digital Health in Rwanda: Rwanda and Switzerland discussed expanding cooperation in digital health technologies, health worker training, epidemic preparedness, research, and life sciences, including Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre. Public Safety (Energy Drink): Uganda’s National Drug Authority warned against an illegal “viagra-powered” energy drink linked to undeclared sildenafil, after lab testing found the ingredient in a marketed product. Infrastructure & Jobs (Lamu Refinery): Multiple reports highlight the Dangote East African refinery in Lamu as a major engineering and jobs boost, with contracts and technology partners expected to accelerate construction.

AU/Water & Sanitation: The AU’s 8th mid-year coordination meeting with Regional Economic Communities convened in Egypt, with leaders pushing Agenda 2063 progress on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation, while also stressing AU–REC integration and AfCFTA implementation. Burundi Security & Development: Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye told the Alamein Africa Forum that persistent violence is stopping farmers from working and children from going to school, warning it is stalling development across the continent. Digital Health & Research: Rwanda and Switzerland renewed cooperation in Bern, focusing on digital health technologies, health worker training, epidemic preparedness, and life sciences, including Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre for real-time planning and research. Education Tech Gap in Gitega: Christ Roi Technical High School in Mushasha (Gitega) says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, teacher shortages, and overcrowded classes—calling for more staff and learning materials, including for computer science and electronics. E-commerce Trust in East Africa: A report highlights how mobile-first commerce (social media, WhatsApp, mobile money) is growing fast, but trust, identity, and fraud controls are becoming the real bottleneck for safer transactions. Health Workforce Policy: WHO’s decision to remove Uganda from a severe health worker shortage list drew mixed reactions, with debate over whether exporting nurses and midwives will help or worsen gaps. Energy/Industry Jobs: The $16B Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu is moving forward with plans for a 1,000MW power plant and major industrial outputs, aiming to cut fuel imports and create large-scale engineering jobs. Public Health Safety: Uganda’s NDA warned against an illegal “energy drink” linked to undeclared sildenafil, saying lab tests confirmed the risky ingredient.

Dangote Refinery in Lamu: Kenya’s Ruto joined regional leaders to break ground on the $16B, 700,000-bpd Dangote East African Refinery, aiming for ~60,000 jobs and an integrated complex with power and petrochemicals. Burundi–Tanzania Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania launched a joint commission meeting in Bujumbura to review ties across trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, health, education, and science/technology. Gitega School Tech Gap: Christ Roi Technical High School in Gitega says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, teacher shortages, and overcrowded classes—pushing for more equipment and staff. Digital Safety for Children: A UN panel hosted by Türkiye urged stronger international rules to protect children from online risks as AI expands. Health Tech & Preparedness: Rwanda and Switzerland discussed expanding digital health tech, workforce training, epidemic preparedness, and life sciences research. Ebola Readiness Support: UAE pledged $10M to help African Ebola containment, with Kenya boosting surveillance and lab capacity. Public Health Fraud Alert: Uganda’s drug regulator warned against an energy drink found to contain undeclared sildenafil.

Burundi–Tanzania Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania kicked off a two-day Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura to review agreements and expand ties in trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, defense, health, education, and science/technology. Education & Tech Access in Gitega: Christ Roi Technical High School in Gitega says over 1,000 pupils have only 40 computers, with teacher shortages and some boarders forced to sleep on the floor—pushing for more staff, equipment, and textbooks. Health Systems & Digital Health (Rwanda–Switzerland): Rwanda and Switzerland renewed cooperation in Bern, focusing on digital health technologies, workforce training, epidemic preparedness, research, and life sciences, including Rwanda’s National Health Intelligence Centre. Ebola Preparedness (Kenya–UAE): The UAE pledged $10m to support Ebola containment in Africa, while Kenya boosts cross-border surveillance, lab capacity, and emergency response. Cyber/AI Child Safety: A UN panel in New York called for stronger international standards to protect children online as AI grows, urging safeguards beyond parental controls. Energy & Engineering (Dangote Lamu Refinery): Pan-African leaders joined Dangote and Kenya’s Ruto to break ground on a $16bn, 700,000-bpd integrated refinery in Lamu, with major engineering and digital solutions planned. Public Health Warning (Uganda): Uganda’s regulator warned against an illegal “energy drink” found to contain undeclared sildenafil after lab testing.

Lamu Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote and Kenya’s William Ruto broke ground on the $16B, 700,000-bpd Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu, with an integrated plan including a ~1,000MW power plant and petrochemicals—positioned to cut fuel imports and boost regional engineering jobs. Burundi-Tanzania Tech & Science Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania opened their 7th Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura, covering trade, transport, energy, minerals, health, education, and science & technology, with a focus on turning agreements into concrete implementation. Gitega School Tech Gap: Christ Roi Technical High School in Gitega says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, plus teacher shortages and overcrowded classes—calling for more staff and learning resources, including for computer science and electronics. Digital Safety for Children: A UN panel hosted by Türkiye’s first lady and partners urged stronger international rules to protect children from online risks as AI accelerates, stressing safeguards beyond basic parental controls. E-Commerce Trust in East Africa: Coverage highlights how mobile-first shopping across social media and WhatsApp is growing fast, but trust issues around seller identity and fraud detection are becoming central to digital commerce.

Tech & Health Regulation: Uganda’s National Drug Authority says it seized an energy drink sold as “Boisson Energetique Tres Puissante” and found sildenafil in lab tests, warning the undeclared ingredient is a prescription-only drug that can cause serious side effects. Public Health & Workforce: WHO removed Uganda from its severe health-worker shortage list, opening the door to exporting some categories like nurses and midwives under safeguards. Digital Safety: At the UN, Türkiye convened first ladies and partners to push stronger international standards for safer digital systems for children, warning that fast AI growth needs child protection built into governance. Burundi Tech & Education: In Gitega, Christ Roi Technical High School reports major learning strain: over 1,000 pupils share just 40 computers, faces teacher shortages, and some boarders sleep on the floor—highlighting urgent needs for equipment and staffing. Regional Science Cooperation: Tanzania and Burundi started a joint commission meeting in Bujumbura covering trade, energy, health, education, and science & technology, aiming to turn cooperation plans into concrete implementation. Energy & Industry (East Africa): Kenya and regional leaders backed the start of the Dangote East African Refinery in Lamu, a $16B, 700,000-bpd project expected to drive large-scale engineering jobs and industrial capacity.

Education & Digital Access in Burundi: In Gitega, Christ Roi Technical High School says over 1,000 pupils share just 40 computers, faces a teacher shortage, and has boarders forced to sleep on the floor—pushing for more computers, staff, textbooks, and discipline supervisors. Regional Trade & Transport (Tanzania–Burundi angle): Tanzania and Burundi launched a Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura to review cooperation across trade, transport, energy, minerals, health, education, and science/technology, aiming to unlock new implementation steps. Ebola Preparedness Across East Africa: Africa CDC warns Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, and others are at risk as DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak grows, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation at points of entry. Energy & Industry (East Africa): Kenya’s Lamu refinery push moves forward as Dangote’s $16B, 700,000-bpd project breaks ground, with major engineering contracts and a plan for large-scale jobs and integrated power and petrochemical capacity. Digital Commerce Trust: East Africa’s fast-growing social and WhatsApp-led shopping model is raising new trust needs around seller identity and fraud prevention. AI & Child Safety: UN-linked panel discussions call for stronger international standards to protect children from online risks as AI expands.

Regional Trade & Transport: South Sudan’s ambassador to Kenya urged Nairobi to cut trade barriers, spotlighting the high cost of customs bonds, delays, charges, and paperwork that slow cross-border commerce via the Port of Mombasa and the Northern Corridor. Energy & Industry: East Africa’s biggest private industrial push moved from plans to ground in Lamu as leaders backed Dangote’s $16B, 700,000-bpd refinery—an integrated complex aimed at jobs, local engineering capacity, and reduced fuel imports. Burundi–Tanzania Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania opened a two-day Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura covering trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, health, education, and science/technology. Digital Safety for Children: At the UN, Türkiye convened leaders calling for stronger international standards to protect children from online risks as AI reshapes threats. Education Tech Gap in Gitega: A Gitega technical high school reported severe shortages—only 40 computers for 1,000+ pupils, teacher gaps, and overcrowded classes—pushing for urgent support. Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC flagged Burundi among 10 countries at risk as DRC’s Ebola outbreak grows, urging stronger surveillance and lab readiness.

Dangote Refinery Breaks Ground (Kenya): African leaders, including Kenya’s William Ruto and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, attended the launch of Dangote’s $16B, 700,000-bpd East African refinery in Lamu—an integrated complex with a planned 1,000MW power plant and major petrochemicals, targeting up to 60,000 jobs. Burundi–Tanzania Tech & Science Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania opened their 7th Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura, with talks covering trade, transport, energy, minerals, health, education, and science & technology. Ebola Preparedness Boost (Regional): The UAE pledged $10M to support Ebola containment in Africa as Kenya strengthens surveillance, lab capacity, and border readiness amid a DRC outbreak. Digital Safety for Children: A UN panel hosted by Türkiye’s family ministry called for stronger international standards to protect children from online risks as AI grows. Burundi School Tech Strain (Gitega): Christ Roi Technical High School in Gitega says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, teacher shortages, and overcrowding—pushing for more equipment and staff. EAC Digital Commerce Trust: East Africa’s fast-growing social/WhatsApp/mobile-money shopping is raising new trust and fraud-detection demands for banks and fintechs.

Dangote Refinery Contracts: Kenya’s Lamu refinery project is moving from plans to construction, with engineering and technology firms landing major early contracts as the 700,000-bpd, $16B East African Refinery targets up to 60,000 jobs and faster delivery using proven designs. Digital Commerce Trust: East Africa’s shift from websites to mobile, WhatsApp, and social-led buying is boosting convenience, but raising new trust needs around identity, fraud checks, and payment legitimacy. AI Governance Push: US President Trump says major AI firms signed a voluntary “self-police” accord with internal and external reviews, while OpenAI pauses training amid concerns about rogue AI agents. Burundi School Tech Gap: In Gitega’s Christ Roi Technical High School, over 1,000 pupils share just 40 computers, with teacher shortages and overcrowding pushing some boarders to sleep on the floor. Burundi–Tanzania Science & Tech Talks: Burundi and Tanzania launched a joint commission meeting in Bujumbura covering trade, health, education, and science/technology cooperation, aiming to turn agreements into concrete implementation. Ebola Preparedness in the Region: Africa CDC warns 10 countries at risk as DRC’s Ebola surge grows, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation—Burundi included. EAC Banking Expansion: NCBA signals acquisitions as it prepares to expand into DRC and Ethiopia, building on its existing East African footprint.

Burundi–Tanzania Cooperation: Burundi and Tanzania opened the 7th Joint Permanent Commission meeting in Bujumbura (Sept 29–30) to review agreements and expand ties in trade, transport, agriculture, energy, minerals, defence, health, education, and science/technology. Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC flagged 10 countries at risk as DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola nears 8,000 confirmed cases, listing Burundi among them and urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid case isolation. Education Tech Strain in Gitega: Christ Roi Technical High School in Gitega says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, teacher shortages, and overcrowded classes, with some boarders forced to sleep on the floor—pushing for more staff and learning materials. Digital Safety for Children: A UN panel hosted by Türkiye’s first lady called for stronger international rules to protect children online as AI grows, stressing child safety beyond parental controls and data protection. Reproductive Health Funding: UNFPA reported pledges of over US$715m to expand family planning and maternal health services, with Burundi among countries committing resources. EAC Trade Tech Finance: Afreximbank issued a US$29m guarantee to scale the EAC Customs Bond, a digital solution aimed at simplifying and digitising cross-border customs processes.

Ebola Preparedness: The UAE pledged US$10M to boost Ebola containment in Africa as Kenya tightens surveillance and border readiness, with Africa CDC warning 10 countries at risk including Burundi. Education & Tech Access: In Gitega, Christ Roi Technical High School says it has 1,000+ pupils but only 40 computers, teacher shortages, and some boarders sleeping on the floor—an urgent push for better learning infrastructure. Digital Safety for Children: At UNGA81 in New York, Türkiye convened a panel on safer digital systems for children, urging stronger AI governance beyond parental controls. Regional Health Funding: UNFPA says governments and partners pledged over US$715M for reproductive health, with Burundi among countries committing resources. EAC Trade Digitisation: Afreximbank issued a US$29M guarantee to BSMART Technology to scale the EAC Customs Bond, aiming to simplify and digitise customs across East Africa. Burundi Tech Ecosystem: A webinar discussed how to stimulate Burundi’s tech sector, pointing to gaps in digital infrastructure, financing, and policy coordination. School Staffing Strain: In Kayanza, Burundi reports a shortfall of 233 teachers and unpaid salaries for some recruits, forcing reliance on contract and volunteer teachers.