AGP Executive Report

AI for Agriculture: Namibia is investing N$39.5m in an AI-driven agricultural monitoring system, but public trust hinges on transparent procurement and clear accountability around the US firm selected. University Pay Scandal: Nigeria’s MOUAU says 127 staff were sacked after five months without pay, following a recruitment and payroll capture mismatch on GIFMIS—raising fresh questions on hiring controls. Industrialisation & Agro-Value Chains: Nigeria’s VP Kashim Shettima toured Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone and pledged to replicate the model, arguing Africa must capture more value from cotton and other raw materials. Climate & Food Security: Kenya’s Deputy President Kindiki says El Niño-enhanced rains may run until January, shifting planning for both depressed harvests and extended wet-season impacts. Regional Trade & Cocoa: Morocco and Mali plan to relaunch their business council with agrifood partnerships, while cocoa markets react to supply and demand signals. Finance for Growth: Afreximbank appointed Peter Olowononi as Southern Africa regional director, with agriculture among priority sectors. Food Systems in Action: Rwanda’s Solid’Africa marked 15 years of “food as medicine,” now serving millions of meals to patients and schoolchildren.

Invasive Species Management: Iraq says the African catfish is now firmly established in multiple rivers and marshes, making eradication “impossible,” and is mapping its spread for a national control programme. Climate & Livestock Stress: Extreme heat is pushing even camels beyond their limits, raising fears for desert livelihoods as dehydration and illness risks grow. Water Security for Food Systems: South Africa’s “water bankruptcy” debate is getting louder after a Food Indaba warned that water stress shows up first on the dinner plate through higher food prices and deeper boreholes. Aquaculture on Lake Victoria: Chinese aquaculture tech is helping Kenya’s Lake Victoria fish-cage operators boost production and create jobs, including for women, while tackling harmful “sex-for-fish” dynamics. Animal Health Threats: FAO highlights the resurging New World Screwworm as a serious transboundary risk to livestock and trade, with humans also vulnerable. Agrifood Policy Moves: Ghana plans a new COCOBOD Bill to reform cocoa governance and guarantee farmers at least 70% of FOB value. Farmgate Court Halt (South Africa): A court temporarily blocks Ramaphosa’s impeachment inquiry over the Phala Phala cash scandal, pending further legal review. Tea Fertiliser Supply (Kenya): KTDA will import 1.98M bags of NPK fertiliser for over 750,000 tea farmers ahead of the 2026/27 season. Food Security Trend (Africa): FAO reports hunger in Africa fell for the first time in a decade, but warns nutritious diets remain unaffordable.

Climate Risk: A “super El Niño” is forecast to strengthen through late 2026, raising odds of drought across southern Africa and flooding in the Horn, with FAO/WFP warning of a major hunger spike unless support scales fast. Food Prices & Inputs: Nigeria’s agrifood growth faces pressure from subsidised imports and global trade distortions, while fertiliser and energy costs tied to conflict keep pushing staples higher. Seed & Farm Support: Kenya’s Coffee Revitalisation Programme targets a jump in output from 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 by 2029/30, and a Bauchi smallholder initiative trained 28 seed producers while distributing 1,000+ agro-inputs. Regional Trade Tensions: West Africa’s onion trade is under strain as Nigerian trucks detained in Ghana risk spoilage; ORO is urging immediate release via ECOWAS channels. Fisheries & Blue Economy: Angola says it’s building blue-economy investment in artisanal fishing and aquaculture, while the WTO Fish Fund approved $2.2m grants to help countries implement fisheries subsidy rules. Ag Tech: Malawi’s MUST launched an AI-powered fertigation system to automate irrigation and fertiliser use for climate-smart crop production.

Livestock Biosecurity: Uganda’s Acholi farmers are being urged to delay second-season planting after a dry spell threatens germination and early growth, following widespread first-season crop failure. Food Safety: South Africa’s consumer watchdog is investigating a suspected spaza-shop drink-related poisoning after six children were rushed to hospital, with the product sent for lab testing. Trade & Market Access: Ghana and the Netherlands signed an MoU to boost Ghana’s non-traditional exports to the EU, with horticulture and EU compliance, food safety and cold-chain logistics in focus. Agribusiness Skills: Ghana’s Biofortified maize value chain training backed by CSIR-SARI and AATF is equipping 60 SMEs with business planning, costing, aggregation and buyer negotiation skills to unlock credit. Crop Innovation: Kenya has registered Solynta’s SOLHY023 hybrid potato seed, targeting late blight resistance and reducing seed and logistics needs. Port & Logistics: South Africa’s Port of Cape Town reported 6.5% container growth and improved efficiency as Transnet pushes private-sector participation in terminals. Policy on Tea: Kenya’s tea levy defenders say uptake hit 93% and that the levy is paid by buyers, funding research and export marketing.

Food Crisis & Prices: Nigeria’s jollof rice affordability keeps worsening, with the SBM Jollof Index Q2 2026 reporting the average cost of a pot rising to N29,578—up 624% over 10 years—as climate shocks, insecurity and transport costs bite. Fertiliser Support: Nigeria’s Bank of Agriculture says the federal government has distributed 10 million fertiliser bags to 2 million farmers under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme. Hunger Outlook: UN-linked reporting warns conflicts, energy and fertiliser shocks could push millions more into hunger, as Africa overtakes Asia in the number of people facing hunger. Blue Economy Policy: UNDP urges Angola and other African governments to build dedicated institutions and coordination mechanisms to unlock blue-economy investment and integration. Trade & Exports: Italy’s trade agency ICE plans to train more Angolan firms for exports to Europe, including agri-food and precision agricultural machinery makers. Agri-Industry Logistics: South Africa’s fruit exporters warn Cape Town port delays are damaging shipments and threatening premium overseas markets. Climate Pressure on Livelihoods: Heat extremes are stressing agriculture and livestock across regions, with reports of severe impacts on animals and farming systems.

Cotton Industrialisation Push (Senegal): A Kaolack spinning mill, Domitexka Saloum, is proving Africa can spin its own cotton—but the bigger bottleneck is financing, with Senegal processing only about 5% of its cotton at home. Sugar Supply Recovery (Tanzania): Local sugar producers have restarted after months of rain delays and technical issues, easing shortages that had driven imports and pushed retail prices up sharply. Coffee Output Drive (Kenya): Kenya launched a Coffee Revitalization Programme in North Rift counties, aiming to lift production from 50,000 tonnes to 150,000 by 2028/29 through stronger cooperatives and governance reforms. Livestock Market Support (Namibia): Namibia is preparing a US$5.5m livestock price equalisation fund for northern communal farmers to narrow the price gap created by the veterinary redline. Cold Chain Upgrade (Uganda): Uganda plans new cold storage hubs and border export facilities to cut reliance on Kenya’s logistics for perishable exports. Food Security Policy (Zambia): Zambia rolled out a National Food and Nutrition Security Policy, an implementation plan and a stunting reduction strategy to strengthen multi-sector action. Tomato Import Substitution (Ghana): Ghana allocated 500 hectares for tomatoes under irrigation schemes, using contract farming to link growers with off-takers and reduce import dependence. Disease & Trade Risk (Croatia): Croatia confirmed new African swine fever outbreaks, stepping up surveillance and wild boar culling to protect pig farming. Hunger Context (Global): UN reporting says global hunger is easing but remains fragile, with conflicts and shocks still threatening progress.

Hunger Watch: A new UN report says global hunger fell for a third straight year, but progress is fragile as climate shocks and trade disruptions loom; Africa is now the biggest hunger hotspot, with 309 million people undernourished in 2025. Middle East Shock to Food Prices: IFAD warns conflicts and energy disruptions could push millions more into hunger by raising fuel and fertilizer costs, with the Strait of Hormuz risk highlighted. Nigeria Child Labour Data Push: Nigeria and the ILO plan data-driven interventions after validating the 2024 National Child Labour Survey, targeting agriculture and other high-risk sectors. Youth Agribusiness Finance: Nigeria’s Equipment Leasing Registration Authority and Heifer back wider equipment leasing so young agripreneurs can access tractors, irrigation and processing gear without huge upfront costs. Tunisia Fertilizer Pollution: A phosphate plant in Gabès is linked to severe air and water pollution harming children, raising pressure on fertilizer supply chains. Cocoa Value Addition: Four major African cocoa producers in Abuja agree to end raw bean exports and boost local processing to capture more value. Lake Chad Revival Debate: The shrinking lake’s future is back in focus as the Transaqua canal idea returns amid concerns over feasibility and environmental impact.

Global Hunger Watch: The UN’s SOFI 2026 report says hunger fell for a third straight year in 2025, but progress is fragile: 645 million people faced hunger (7.8% of the world), while Africa now has the highest number of hungry people at about 309 million. Food Prices & Diet Costs: The report also flags that a healthy diet is still out of reach for many, with the global cost rising to 4.28 PPP dollars per person per day in 2025. El Niño Risk for Southern Africa: A South Africa-focused podcast warns a severe El Niño could bring drought that hits the 2026/27 summer crop season, with knock-on effects for food prices. Togo Inflation & Farm Prices: Togo’s annual inflation held at 0.1% in June, but monthly prices rose 1.2%, driven by seasonal jumps in staples like yams, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Market Rules in SA Soybeans: Grain SA says the JSE’s plan to return to a single reference point for soybeans could distort transport assumptions and hurt producers in certain regions. Coffee Revival in Kenya: Kenya’s coffee sector revival is gaining momentum as counties in western Kenya coordinate to boost production and farmer incomes. Shea Tree Conservation (Ghana): Shea Day in Buipe highlights urgent action as West Africa loses an estimated 8 million shea trees annually. Nigeria Boat Disaster: Another deadly canoe capsizing in Jigawa state underscores ongoing rural transport safety risks.

Food Security & Climate: Nigeria’s climate crisis is being framed as a water problem, with calls for stronger hydrological science instead of repeating flood-and-relief cycles. Extreme Heat: UN-linked warnings say extreme heat is pushing global food and farming systems “to the brink,” with farmers already seeing yield stress. Agri-Tech for Youth: Nigeria’s Heifer International partnership is set to back youth-led agritech and food security through the AYuTe Challenge, with government pushing land, credit and inputs for innovators. Policy & Markets: Nigeria’s food inflation remains pressured as import waivers, weak purchasing power and supply bottlenecks bite; agribusiness leaders urge more investment in scalable farming and processing. Cocoa Prices: Cocoa futures faced modest pressure from a stronger dollar and rising inventories, even as some grindings data pointed to demand resilience. Regional Trade: Kenya targets bigger tea exports to China via technology transfer and standards support for producers. Agriculture Data & Governance: BRICS researchers met in India to discuss geospatial tools for disaster management, agriculture and climate resilience. Wildlife & Food Links: Iraq warns 134 species are at risk, linking biodiversity loss to food security and a healthier environment.

Seed Systems & Food Security: Rwanda opened its Third National Seed Congress in Kigali, pushing a private-sector-led seed industry to strengthen climate-resilient seed access and position the country as a regional seed hub. Farmer Innovation (Kenya): A Kenyan cotton farmer’s shift to Bt cotton doubled yields and improved margins after years of bollworm losses and costly pesticides. Agribusiness Inputs (Nigeria): Enugu State approved free farm inputs for 63,000 smallholders, alongside extra teachers for Smart Green Schools, aiming to boost this season’s production. Regional Trade (Ghana–Burkina Faso): Ghana and Burkina Faso lifted egg and tomato trade restrictions, setting up a joint technical committee to prevent repeat disruptions. Livestock Health (SADC): SADC countries advanced a coordinated plan to curb foot-and-mouth disease with shared diagnostics, vaccination coordination, and transboundary disease planning. Pesticide Safety (South Africa): A toxicologist warned of hazardous illegal pesticides still reaching informal markets despite seizures. Water & Sanitation (South Africa): The World Bank approved a $1.5bn loan to support reforms in water, sanitation, electricity and freight—aimed at better services for households. Rural Risk (South Africa): World Drowning Prevention Day renewed calls for constant child supervision and safer water access at homes, farm dams and pools. Pork Prices (South Africa): African swine fever outbreaks cut formal pig numbers, tightening supply and raising fears of higher pork prices.

Port Reform in South Africa: Transnet has launched a request for proposal to bring a private partner to upgrade and operate the Port of Cape Town’s multipurpose terminal for 25 years, aiming to boost capacity and trade links. Food Prices Under Pressure: South Africa’s pork market could see higher prices as African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease cut supply, with small shortages already pushing wholesale costs up. Monetary Policy Watch: South Africa’s Reserve Bank MPC meets this week, with analysts flagging a possible second interest-rate hike as inflation expectations remain a concern. Nigeria Cocoa Value Addition: Nigeria and other cocoa-producing countries back the Abuja Declaration to deepen local processing, improve farmers’ earnings, and reduce reliance on raw bean exports. Malnutrition Linked to War and Costs: In northern Nigeria, children’s malnutrition is worsening as the Iran-linked fuel shock and broader economic strain reduce access to consistent, nutritious food. Irrigation Urgency in Ghana: Rice farmers at Ghana’s Weta Irrigation Scheme are calling for urgent rehabilitation after decades of neglect left the system in disarray. ECOWAS Implementation Push: Ghana’s President Mahama urged ECOWAS leaders to move from commitments to real implementation that improves citizens’ lives, including logistics and peace priorities. Agriculture Meets Digital Connectivity: Amazon Leo and Herotel plan satellite internet for rural South Africans via evry, targeting farm and small-town connectivity gaps that limit online learning and services.

Food Security Under Strain: Northern Nigeria’s child malnutrition is relapsing as the Iran-linked fuel and food price shock hits already fragile households, with clinics in Sokoto reporting more children returning after earlier recovery. Agri-Tech for Farmers: Nigeria’s government has launched an AI-powered national crop monitoring system to improve in-season data across 15 priority states, aiming to strengthen food security planning. Cocoa Value Chain Push: Nigeria and other cocoa producers endorsed the Abuja Declaration to boost local processing, raise farmer earnings, and prepare for tougher EU deforestation rules. Climate and Livelihoods: A new global report warns extreme heat is cutting incomes and raising healthcare costs, flagging Nigeria among countries facing high combined risks. Poultry Biosecurity: South Africa’s poultry sector is urging faster, coordinated action on bird flu prevention, including vaccination readiness. Agricultural Mechanisation Deal: Mozambique plans a mechanism to bring Belarusian farm technologies to support family farming, focusing on bridging the gap between hoes and tractors. Youth Skills for Agri-Futures: Ghana’s jobs fair urged young people to embrace AI and technical skills as automation reshapes work. Regional Trade and Security: Egypt urged Somalia to secure the release of kidnapped Egyptian sailors while expanding cooperation including agriculture and investment.

AI for Food Security: Nigeria has signed an MoU with Morocco to roll out a satellite- and AI-powered national crop monitoring system (National Agro-Productivity System), aiming to give states real-time data on land, crops and emerging food risks, starting with 15 priority states. Climate Risk for Farmers: Nigeria’s meteorology agency NiMet and partners have wrapped a 10-day Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension training, pushing extension officers to translate weather and climate info into practical farm guidance. Irrigation Revival: Zimbabwe is restarting the Kanyemba Irrigation Scheme, with 106 functional parts visited and 352 households expected to benefit once power and technical gaps are fully closed. Food Systems Under Heat: South Africa’s agri-food sector is bracing for El Niño-linked drought risk, though analysts note better soil moisture and grain stocks could cushion price shocks. Livestock Health Alert: In Libya’s Suluq, authorities closed livestock markets after foot-and-mouth disease suspicions, disinfection campaigns began, and cattle deaths were recorded while samples were sent for lab testing. Agri-Trade & Markets: Nigeria and Liberia reaffirmed trade ties under AfCFTA, focusing on investment and private-sector collaboration to strengthen value chains.

Nigeria Grain Push: The federal government and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) have launched the Renewed Hope Smallholder Agricultural Financing Programme to lift Nigeria’s annual grain output from 11m tonnes to 25m tonnes, targeting 500,000 farmers this wet season and scaling to 2m next year, with inputs financed via a 9% single-digit loan model (not grants) through selected aggregators. Women & Youth Agribusiness Support: Nigeria’s RISE project is moving into implementation across Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano, launching an Expression of Interest for women- and youth-led MSMEs in rice, maize, soybean and groundnut value chains for targeted financial and technical backing. Niger Delta Investment: Vice President Shettima has launched a $500m Niger Delta Agricultural and Investment Fund to drive commercial, returns-focused projects across aquaculture, palm oil, cassava, cocoa, rice, horticulture, marine resources and livestock. Food Safety & Health: Croatia is tightening African swine fever (ASF) containment after 89 outbreaks, with 2,822 pigs culled, warning of threats from illegal pig transport and unregistered stock. Agri-Tech for Farmers: Tanzania’s researchers have developed Pataintel, an AI platform giving onion and garlic farmers location-specific guidance to cut losses and boost incomes. Climate Finance Gap: Nigeria is turning to domestic banks and private capital to close a $171bn climate funding gap, as multilateral sources cover less than 2% of Africa’s needs. Rural Security & Food Security: A South African farm-attack activist is walking over 1,000km to Pretoria to demand stronger rural safety measures to protect farmers and safeguard food security. Ethiopia Rights Alarm: Thousands protested in Addis Ababa over alleged forced recruitment of civilians in Tigray, with rights groups alleging house-to-house roundups of men and boys. Rooibos to Space: South Africa’s rooibos seeds are set for a space mission to test germination and resilience in microgravity, linking farmers, learners and research.

South Africa Guava Crunch: The SA guava industry is facing a “double whammy” as processing-grade supply is out of balance with softer processor demand, worsened by shifting Western Cape weather that brought earlier, smaller fruit and higher production costs. Women’s Nutrition Gap: A new evidence-based framework highlights that women’s diet quality is driven most by “agency” (control over decisions, money and time), not just food availability—fueling wider micronutrient and anaemia risks across sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria Grain Push: Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Agricultural Financing Programme targets raising grain output from about 11m tonnes to 25m tonnes via subsidised inputs, farm aggregators and a guaranteed minimum price to curb food inflation. Cross-Border Trade Boost: Ghana’s informal cross-border trade hit GH¢31bn in 2025’s first three quarters, underscoring how border policies can make or break livelihoods for traders. El Niño Early Action: Experts warn a strengthening El Niño could bring heat, drought and floods across Eastern and Southern Africa, urging faster early warnings and support for food security. Solar for Mining: Exxaro launched a Lephalale solar plant to power its Grootegeluk coal mine, cutting costs and emissions while supporting jobs. Ethiopia Wind Financing: AfDB approved up to $110m for Ethiopia’s Aysha 300MW wind project, a grid-strengthening clean energy step. Cross-River Diaspora Agenda: A Cross River diaspora group unveiled plans for housing, healthcare and boreholes across 18 councils.

South Africa–Namibia ties: President Cyril Ramaphosa used the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission to push closer collaboration on minerals, energy and agriculture-linked value chains, including skills and industrialisation. SEZ push: Deputy President Paul Mashatile opened South Africa’s Second International Special Economic Zones conference in Durban, pitching SEZs as a magnet for investment and jobs. Livestock disease overhaul (Nigeria): Nigeria is reviewing and overhauling its animal disease control plan to better tackle peste des petits ruminants (PPR), with stronger monitoring and ECOWAS coordination. Chronic disease coverage (Cameroon): Health experts in Yaoundé urged reforms to expand access to affordable care for chronic illnesses, including using private insurance models linked to WHO PEN-Plus. El Niño food risk: Climate experts warn a strengthening El Niño could bring heat, floods and droughts across Eastern and Southern Africa, threatening food security and farm incomes. Rooibos to space (South Africa): Rooibos seeds will be launched to the ISS in October for a microgravity study, with school pupils and local farmers involved. Nigeria farm finance: Nigeria unveiled a $500m agriculture fund for the Niger Delta, targeting aquaculture, palm oil and livestock. PPR and food security (Nigeria): A second report reiterates the PPR “goat plague” threat and the need for measurable progress toward a PPR-free Nigeria.