AGP Executive Report

Skills & Youth Employment: Nigeria’s EFANDR Creative launched a Holiday Creator Bootcamp to train young people in photography, filmmaking, editing and storytelling, with mentorship and pathways into real production work. Public Services & Jobs: South Africa’s Joburg driving licence centres are paralysed by a 13-month debt dispute and procurement failures, leaving motorists turned away or stuck in queues. Labour & Inclusion: South Africa’s business-government growth pact faces pushback as organised labour says it’s being left out of the deal aimed at boosting jobs and investment. Health Access: A Nelson Mandela Bay family says emergency calls went unanswered for hours before an ambulance arrived, highlighting failures in essential healthcare response. Policy & Elections: Nigeria’s DSS moved to suspend Omoyele Sowore’s cybercrime trial until after the 2027 presidential election. Trade & Cost Pressures: South Africa raised the sugar import protection benchmark to US$785, but growers warn it may still be too low to stop imports hurting local production. Creative Economy: Ghana’s “This Is Ghana” exhibition turned a children’s park into a two-day marketplace for SMEs and entrepreneurs.

Rugby Rivalry Row: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus hit back at All Blacks boss Dave Rennie after scrum “walking around” claims, as South Africa levelled the series with a 33-26 win in Cape Town. Local Governance: ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa urged Johannesburg residents to accept Mayor Dada Morero’s apology after a heated outburst at a service delivery meeting. Youth Jobs & Finance: Nigeria’s Atiku Abubakar (ADC) pledged a $10bn startup fund for young people ahead of 2027, while N-Power beneficiaries reportedly backed his bid. Workplace Rights: An Airbnb manager won an interim injunction after claiming he was unlawfully fired despite a positive performance review. Energy Safety: Eskom warned communities to report unsafe electricity connections amid risks from illegal links and exposed wires. Trade & Industrial Growth: Eswatini’s King Mswati III called for urgent expansion of trade fair facilities as exhibitor numbers outgrow current space. Jobs Through Skills: South Africa’s Denel Technical Academy trainees say stipend, transport and accommodation delays are hurting learners. Health Systems Under Strain: Malawi’s referral hospitals face collapsing infrastructure, with broken equipment and long waits delaying care.

Rugby & Leadership: South Africa’s Springboks bounced back to level Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 1-1, beating the All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town after a strong start and late-game composure, with Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi drawing praise for tactical adjustments. Courts & Governance: South Africa’s Western Cape High Court dismissed MK Party and UAT’s bid to appeal an order halting President Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala impeachment inquiry, keeping the broader dispute unresolved. Public Services & Jobs: Nigeria’s Customs Service signed cooperation deals with the Fire Service and Unilever to improve security, safety standards, emergency response and joint training. Health Systems: Africa’s health ministers adopted three 10-year strategies in Ethiopia, including training and retaining 3 million more health workers by 2035 to tackle a looming workforce shortage. Entrepreneurship & Youth Finance: Nigeria’s Atiku Abubakar pledged a $100bn start-up and entrepreneur financing programme for 2027, aiming to shift young people from unemployment to enterprise. Workplace & HR: South Africa’s CCMA dismissed a former RAF CEO’s R2.7m payout claim, ruling he didn’t qualify under bonus policy requirements. Business & Industry: FAW Trucks Southern Africa marked its 25,000th locally built truck at Coega, highlighting faster production and fleet-focused total cost of ownership. Migration & Safety: Sierra Leone confirmed 17 nationals among deaths after a Conakry landfill landslide, underscoring risks around waste sites.

Opposition Strategy in Nigeria: The ADC says it doesn’t need a coalition to win the 2027 election, arguing talks among opposition parties are now mainly about election monitoring and vote protection rather than a single presidential candidate. Public Sector Reform: Atiku Abubakar says he will implement the Oronsaye Committee Report if elected, promising a transparent audit of agencies, cutting duplication and “fake agencies,” and redirecting savings to healthcare, education, jobs and social protection. Health Workforce Crisis: WHO warns Africa could face a shortage of nearly six million health workers by 2030 unless countries mobilise more domestic funding and plug structural financial leakages. Labour & Human Capital: South Africa’s employment equity data shows women are leaving before executive roles, with 37.7% in senior management but only 26.9% at top management. Skills for Jobs: Ford SA plans to expand an apprenticeship programme to grow qualified automotive technicians, starting formally in 2027. Youth Employment Cooperation: Somalia and Tanzania discuss joint work on youth jobs, workforce development and digital government services. Women’s Leadership: A new push urges employers to track where women drop out of the leadership pipeline and strengthen sponsorship into executive posts. Sports & Careers: DAZN secures LaLiga EA SPORTS broadcast rights across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2028/29, boosting premium sports access and local sports content.

Jobs & Skills: South Africa’s Employment and Labour (Free State) is rolling out a Service Delivery Outreach Campaign (3–23 Sep) offering UIF support, public employment services, compensation for occupational injuries, and inspection/enforcement help. Industrial Jobs: Ghana’s Northshore Apparel Ghana Limited was inaugurated in Savelugu, creating 2,300+ jobs and pushing export-focused, zero-waste garment manufacturing. Local Procurement Push: Northshore Apparel CEO urged government to reserve part of security and public uniforms contracts for local manufacturers to cut foreign exchange spend. Regional Education Accountability: EAC education leaders in Nairobi backed an implementation compact and scorecard to turn commitments into measurable results over the next two years. Maritime & Trade: Ghana’s GPHA launched 40th anniversary activities, reaffirming its role in port modernization and logistics for West Africa. Security-Linked Growth: Nigeria’s Tinubu told National Defence College graduands that national security is “non-negotiable” for economic ambitions. Health Workforce: WHO-linked coverage highlights Africa’s push to train and retain millions of health workers by 2035 amid a looming shortage. Labour Market Shock: Diageo plans to cut 305 jobs at its World Trade Center hub as alcohol consumption slides. Maritime Resource Control: Somalia faces renewed scrutiny over foreign (including Chinese) fishing fleets exploiting tuna-rich waters.

ICT Jobs Push: SAICTA launched “Industry Connect,” a new ICT jobs portal linking employers and jobseekers (including AI, cyber, cloud and data talent) to tackle the skills disconnect as SA targets a million jobs by 2030. Social Protection Milestone: South Africa’s Sassa marked 20 years of consolidating social grants into one national system reaching about 19 million beneficiaries monthly, with a focus on accessibility and accountability. Energy & Safety: Eskom is investigating the turbine trip at Koeberg unit 1, while noting radiation exposure during July maintenance stayed within safety standards. SME & Jobs: Maduwa Paint World won Standard Bank’s R1m Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, backing local manufacturing and job creation. Trade & Work: Kenya welcomed a proposed AGOA extension to 2028 to protect duty-free access for exporters, especially agriculture. Border Jobs Debate: Nigeria’s Atiku renewed promises to reopen borders and expand southern ports, blaming closures for trader bankruptcies and unemployment. Skills Pipeline: KRS opened applications for its 2027 AI-First Graduate Engineering Programme in Cape Town for eight graduates. Climate Finance: South Africa is preparing for a debut sovereign green bond to fund climate transition projects and reskilling/employment for coal-sector workers.

Pay Transparency & Fair Hiring: South Africa’s Fair Pay Bill moves to stop using past salaries in hiring and pushes job ads to disclose pay ranges, aiming to cut wage inequality. Workforce & Skills: Nigeria’s Sahara Power starts a $12m, 12MW Lagos gas plant to improve reliability for jobs and enterprise growth, while a Cameroon forum flags foreign exchange limits, fintech rules, and admin hurdles as key barriers to U.S. investment. Labour Market Pressure: A UCT study finds transport costs are forcing many South Africans to travel less, shrinking access to jobs and services. Health & Safety at Work: Frankfurt Airport reports “airport malaria” after mosquito-linked cases killed two workers, underlining workplace health risks. Migration & Xenophobia: A UN watchdog warns of rising xenophobic hate crimes and displacement of migrants in South Africa, as protests and repatriations intensify. Youth Employment Pipeline: A skills-voucher programme in Cameroon targets practical training tied to labour-market needs under “One Youth, One Trade, One Job.” Energy Transition & Jobs: Reports and policy debates keep stressing that Africa must power production, not just consumption, to unlock employment.

Youth Employment & Skills: South Africa’s Youth Employment Service (YES) links up with BMW Group SA and Absa to place unemployed graduates into 12 months of paid work experience, plus debt relief and salary top-ups from a donor. Public Health & Regulation: Uganda warns that only about half of 1,330 registered dental practitioners hold active licences, leaving patients exposed to quacks amid a heavy oral-disease burden. AI & Jobs: UNCTAD projects AI-driven automation could affect up to 40% of global jobs, while noting many people in least developed countries remain offline. Defence Industry Jobs: Nigeria’s Defence Minister says the country is pushing for a self-reliant defence industrial base with private-sector participation, skills and technology transfer via the Nigeria–Türkiye forum. Labour & Pay Pressure: South Africa’s Defence department faces a compensation over-expenditure of R3.3bn, with warnings it could rise further unless recruitment and exits are managed. Trade & Value Addition: Zenith Bank hosts a non-oil export seminar urging Nigeria to move from raw commodity exports to value chains, financing and stronger infrastructure. Disaster & Safety: Flash floods and landslides on the Nepal–China border have killed dozens and left hundreds missing, including many foreign tourists. Maritime Economy: Mombasa is urged to move beyond transit trade and build blue-economy value chains, skills and learning hubs. Corporate Identity Security: Integrity360 agrees to buy CyberIAM, expanding identity cyber services across UK and South Africa.

Imported malaria risk: Two Frankfurt Airport employees have died and four others are hospitalised after contracting malaria from a mosquito likely carried on an incoming flight; traps are now deployed and samples will be sent for genetic testing. Jobs & investment pipeline: Ghana is targeting nearly US$12bn in announced and pipeline investments to move from commitments to factory-floor production, with emphasis on skilled labour, financing, infrastructure and regulatory certainty. Urban finance & service delivery: Johannesburg’s “broken budget” is worsening as unpaid bills rise to nearly R72bn and infrastructure investment falls sharply, deepening a cycle of deteriorating services and lower payment capacity. Health workforce planning: WHO African health ministers in Ethiopia are reviewing draft resolutions, including a 2026–2035 health workforce agenda to close millions of unfilled roles and improve training, retention and working conditions. Peace ahead of elections: Kenya’s NCIC and faith leaders are uniting to push peaceful 2027 polls, tackling hate speech, misinformation and political violence. Labour & pay justice: South Africa’s Bosasa ex-workers say years of delays have left them unpaid after the 2019 liquidation, as a court orders detailed financial records from liquidators.

Film & Jobs: Kenya’s film industry debate is reigniting after criticism of local production quality, with filmmakers pointing to technology and better infrastructure as the route to making Nairobi a stronger Africa-wide virtual film hub. GBV & HR: South Africa’s TEARS Foundation founder Mara Glennie says frontline GBV services should permanently embed survivors in decision-making, not just rely on uniforms and technical training. Border Security & Compliance: South Africa’s SARS intercepted a 333kg cocaine shipment at OR Tambo worth about R167m, highlighting ongoing enforcement at major entry points. Public Services & Labour: KwaZulu-Natal’s Msunduzi Municipality workers returned to work after a five-day strike over overtime, allowances and job grading. Child Protection: South Africa faces renewed scrutiny after allegations of an 11-year-old being sexually exploited for as little as R100, with calls for a bigger national conversation on child trafficking. Skills for Work: Kenya launches a National Bioeconomy Strategy (2026–2036) to cut food imports and create jobs via biofertilisers, biotech and AI-backed agriculture. Social Protection: South Africa’s SRD R370 grant appeal heads to the Supreme Court of Appeal as economists warn the state may not afford major expansion. Migration & HR: Botswana reports fake-document cartels enabling illegal work and residence for foreigners, with labour and home affairs cracking down.

Energy & Jobs: Ghana’s ACEP urges the AU to prioritise affordable, resilient energy to unlock industrialisation, jobs and energy security as global energy-transition costs shift. Infrastructure & Freight-Led Growth: Ghana’s updated 2026 Railway Master Plan spotlights a Central Spine Corridor to industrialise the north and cut post-harvest losses. Pensions & Capital Markets: Kenya’s NSSF disclosed a Sh36.3bn stake in Kenya Pipeline Company after the IPO, with many top shareholders using nominee accounts. Security & Crime Enforcement: INTERPOL’s Operation Jackal IV netted 58 arrests and identified 263 suspects across 22 countries targeting West African organised crime and cyber fraud. Human Rights & Justice: South Africa’s justice system faces renewed scrutiny over corruption and delays as police warn lawyers and bail practices may be linked to gang funding. Tech & Enterprise SaaS: ZenaTech completed its acquisition of ESM Software, adding strategy execution and compliance tools for government, healthcare and financial services. Trade & Investment: Somalia opened a Somalia–China business forum in Mogadishu to boost infrastructure, manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture, energy, transport and logistics. Work & Skills: CFA Society East Africa explains what helps candidates pass the CFA exams, highlighting non-traditional finance backgrounds.

GBVF Accountability: South Africa’s acting police minister says 50,511 gender-based violence and femicide cases were recorded in 2025/26, with 30,736 leading to arrests or referrals—activists warn the figures still understate the crisis. Supply Chain & Jobs: Samsung honours Rhenus Logistics Southern Africa as its Best Supplier for 2025, spotlighting 26 years of logistics support across freight, customs, warehousing and distribution. Misinformation Watch: A fabricated Daily Nation front page claims Kenya’s TSC will promote pioneer junior secondary teachers—fact-checkers say the image is fake. Fuel Subsidy Politics: Nigeria’s Peter Obi rejects Atiku’s plan to restore fuel subsidy, arguing the real issue is mismanagement of savings, not subsidy removal. Health & Work: A South African study links cannabis use in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders to earlier, more severe illness and higher relapse risk. Security Finance: Nigeria’s NFIU reports terrorists are using crowdfunding and accounts tied to deceased persons to move funds through layered channels. Entrepreneurship & Scale: Namibia’s Dino Ballotti urges entrepreneurs to use digital tools to sell across borders, not just within a ~3m population. Construction & Employment: Lüderitz begins the N$160m Buchter Mall build, with 200 construction jobs and 300 permanent roles expected. Critical Minerals: Experts warn Africa must avoid oil-era mistakes in critical minerals—strengthen institutions and bargain power to industrialise, not just export raw materials.

Jobs & Skills: Ericsson South Africa launched a 12-month learnership (first cohort of 15) to train young people for telecommunications technician and rigging careers, combining classroom learning, on-site practice and workplace experience. Women in STEM: South Africa’s Blade Nzimande placed women and girls at the centre of science, technology and innovation at the SAWiSA 2026 awards, linking awards to fellowships and future talent. Inclusive Growth & Tourism: South Africa’s Government-Business Partnership moved into Phase Three with tourism, agriculture/agro-processing and mining flagged to drive jobs and investment, including faster visa processing and improved air access. SME Support: Ghana’s Social Investment Fund backed a woman with disability to expand a charcoal business, creating income and local employment. Water & Delivery Gaps: A World Bank-linked report highlights how water projects often under-spend—budgets get allocated but execution averages about 72%—leaving communities without reliable clean water. Digital Safety: NordVPN warned of fake airline Android apps used to take over phones, with targets including users across Africa. Governance & Assets: South Africa’s Transnet put the Carlton Centre and other noncore properties up for sale to raise cash.

Ghana Blue Economy Bill: MoFAD, UNDP and AUC partners held an inception meeting to draft Ghana’s Blue Economy Commission (Enabling) Bill, aiming for a coordinated legal framework to boost sustainable marine use, jobs and environmental protection. Namibia–Ghana Industry Ties: Namibia’s High Commissioner to Ghana urged deeper cooperation with Ghana’s Association of Ghana Industries to strengthen textile value chains and tackle Africa’s value-add deficit. Youth Skills via Small Business: Ghana’s Social Investment Fund backed a bakery expansion through the African Skills Hub, helping Peedget Bite Bakery grow output, add ice cream production and train young people. Jobs, Youth and Extremism Risk: A Ghana dialogue warned that rising youth unemployment and governance gaps could increase vulnerability to violent extremism, as recruiters exploit frustrated young people. South Africa Social Grants Pressure: Ipsos data says 4 in 10 South Africans rely on social grants, with the Child Support Grant and SRD dominating, raising questions about affordability and eligibility. Smart City Deal Stalls: South Africa’s Guma Group proposed a $1.9bn smart city on Mpumalanga farmland, but the land agency says contracts and existing residents must be resolved first. Local Governance & Violence: South Africa’s ANC manifesto push to fix municipalities comes amid rising councillor killings ahead of November elections. Regulation for Oil & Gas Jobs: Chevron Nigeria told PENGASSAN that predictable, transparent regulation is key to attracting investment and creating jobs. MTN Share Buyback: MTN plans a R6bn share buyback after record first-half profitability, despite impairments in Iran. AI in Development Caution: A South African software architect warns organisations not to fall into an “AI trap” that overlooks domain judgment and human expertise. Zimbabwe Driver Professionalism: Zimbabwe’s Drivers Association petitioned Parliament to professionalise driving with minimum education, competency standards and a regulated body. Malawi Clean Cooking Jobs: BURN reported distributing 166,235 stoves, creating 400 local jobs and securing authorisation for 3.5m carbon credits in Malawi. Women in Transport & Logistics: A Women’s Month feature highlights growing female participation in South Africa’s transport and logistics sector, while noting gaps in road freight.

FIFA Governance Clash: Six Nordic football associations say they’ve “lost confidence” in Gianni Infantino, citing serious concerns over FIFA’s governance and decision-making, and backing UEFA’s push for assurances against private ownership. Kenya Jobs & Industry: Kenya’s battery makers warn scrap lead-acid smuggling is cutting used-battery collections by about 50%, risking production shutdowns and thousands of jobs unless border enforcement tightens. South Africa Local Government: ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa unveils a six-point manifesto for the Nov 4 local elections, promising better services, investment and job creation, safer communities, and accountable municipal finances. South Africa Municipal Fraud Crackdown: Seven Emfuleni Local Municipality employees are arrested over an alleged electricity reconnection scheme involving payments into personal accounts. Egypt Industrial Push: ADCB Egypt signs EGP 618m financing for IDG’s New October industrial project, while the industry minister inspects Damietta factories and training facilities. SASSA Grants Debate: South Africans weigh in on grant fraud fears, long waiting times, and calls for higher pensioner support. Sports & Talent: Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks for the Lions clash in Johannesburg, while All Blacks coach Dave Rennie signals the Springboks will “double down” on set-piece and aerial play in Cape Town.

Whistleblower Accountability: South Africa’s Active Citizen’s Movement marks Babita Deokaran’s 5th anniversary, calling for a properly resourced, independent whistleblower protection system and real manager-level accountability. Workplace Health & Productivity: A new push argues stroke is also an economic and labour issue, hitting health budgets, productivity and social protection—especially in low- and middle-income countries. Municipal Labour Tension: SAMWU says the Msunduzi strike will continue until a labour agreement is finalised, after earlier promises to sign were missed. Homelessness & Service Gaps (Joburg): Johannesburg’s homeless crisis spotlights limited shelter capacity and the strain on emergency accommodation. Youth Development: UAE youth affairs minister Sultan Al Neyadi says youth must sit at the centre of development through skills, participation and empowerment. Regional Trade Jobs: Botswana President Duma Boko calls for more open borders and trade corridors across SADC to cut delays, lower costs and unlock investment. Cross-border Mobility Policy: A US judge struck down Trump’s 75-country visa pause, a ruling with major knock-on effects for employment and migration planning. Entrepreneur Growth Support: A commentary warns that most support focuses on starting businesses, not scaling them—where founders need systems, processes and data. Infrastructure for Farmers (Delta): Nigeria’s Delta governor Oborevwori promises electricity and road upgrades to help farms and investors expand.