AGP Executive Report

Food Sovereignty Push: In Dire Dawa, Ethiopia’s Minister Coordinator for Democratic System Building, Bikila Hurisa, told a panel that the country must break “aid dependency” and build a food-self-sufficient generation, citing water resources, fertile land and a youth workforce as the base for a productivity-led shift. Climate and Environment: Ethiopia also drew praise from the UK Met Office’s Stefan Lines, who highlighted the Green Legacy drive’s massive tree-planting and urged climate-smart farming that uses data to decide what to plant and when. Diplomacy Reset: Ethiopia says it is intensifying bilateral and multilateral engagement, including a Washington DC push that formalised a US-Ethiopia Bilateral Structured Dialogue framework covering economic, defense and regional stability cooperation. Regional Watch: Sudan’s Burhan told a UK outlet he is open to talks with the UAE only if Abu Dhabi stops backing the RSF. Health and Science: Ghana’s Prof. Lydia Mosi won an international lifetime award for neglected tropical diseases research, while global attention continues to focus on Ebola containment and refugee housing-linked recovery.

WHO Memorial: Health officials in Geneva marked the 20th anniversary of the death of former WHO chief Lee Jong-wook, reopening a refurbished “Dr. J.W. Lee Strategic Situation Room” and spotlighting his push for global health equity and pandemic-ready rules. Election State-Building: Ethiopia’s election process is being framed as “practical democracy” as a GCS state minister and civil society leaders discuss the media’s role in the June 1 general election, while the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs says access and participation conditions are in place for women, youth, and people with disabilities. Humanitarian & Food Security: WFP highlights digital tools to reach “zero hunger,” including iris-scan cash transfers, while warning that COVID-era projections could nearly double acute hunger to 265 million people. Finance & Growth: Equity Bank targets 100 million customers across 15 countries by 2030 after a 24% Q1 profit jump. Regional Watch: Ethiopia and Qatar held fresh political consultations in Doha, and Kenya tested new smallholder farm-loan securitization to pull institutional money into agriculture.

Fuel-Food Shock Push: Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide urged urgent coordinated international action to cushion import-dependent economies as Iran-linked disruptions keep fuel and fertilizer costs high, warning the planting-season squeeze could hit agricultural output and food security. Election Momentum: Ethiopia’s Minister Enatalem Melese said this year’s general election showed strong public participation and “growing democratic maturity,” while the EIPD president hailed registration of over 50.5 million voters as a sign of rising political awareness. Data-Centre Drive: A Bowmans seminar framed Africa’s data-centre boom as a “generational opportunity,” but stressed the need for power and skills so the continent can move beyond hosting less than 1% of global capacity. Regional Security: Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and security through the Eastern Africa Standby Force, highlighting continued engagement in East Africa’s stability efforts. Health Watch: Ethiopia reported health gains at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, as the wider region faces mounting disease threats.

Horn Security: Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff Field Marshal Berhanu Jula met outgoing and incoming Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) directors, stressing the bloc’s role in solidarity and pledging deeper Ethiopian engagement in regional peace and security. Election Watch: IGAD says it is preparing a regional observer mission for Ethiopia’s June 1 vote, with experts invited from neighboring countries to assess whether procedures and counting meet standards. Information Integrity: Ethiopia is setting up a National Multi-Agency Platform to counter hate speech and disinformation, aiming for faster coordination during election and post-election periods. Regional Climate Risk: IGAD’s seasonal outlook warns of below-normal rainfall across much of the Greater Horn from June to September, with Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan and parts of Kenya flagged. Global Politics: Russia confirmed Putin will attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, as BRICS continues to juggle divisions over West Asia. Health Emergency: WHO-linked reporting highlights a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, with cross-border spread a growing concern.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: WHO says the DR Congo Ebola outbreak is spreading with “scale and speed,” pushing it into a top-tier international alert as deaths rise to about 131 and suspected cases climb to roughly 513; WHO is convening an emergency meeting and warns there’s no vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. BRICS Diplomacy: Kremlin confirms Vladimir Putin will attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on Sept 12–13, marking a second India trip in a year after Lavrov’s BRICS foreign ministers’ talks. Regional Digital Push: EAC and IGAD are stepping up cross-border digital integration to boost trade, payments, and logistics, aiming for 40% intra-regional trade by 2030. Ethiopia Civic Readiness: Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organizations Council says it’s ramping up election observation and civic education ahead of the June 1 vote. Dangote Fertiliser Expansion: Aliko Dangote raises Ethiopia fertiliser plant investment to over $4bn, adding pipeline, power, packaging, and NPK blending capacity. Kenya Economic Pressure: Kenya’s manufacturers warn of worsening conditions as manufacturing’s GDP share slips and fuel-linked disruptions keep biting.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: Health teams rushed to Bunia as WHO declared the new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency, after two cases were confirmed in Kampala, Uganda; suspected deaths are put at around 80, with 8 lab-confirmed cases and 246 suspected in Ituri, plus a case confirmed in Goma. WHO says it has emptied protective gear in Kinshasa and is preparing more supplies from Kenya, while the CDC is stepping up traveler screening and monitoring. Fuel Shock Hits Kenya: A nationwide transport strike in Kenya left commuters stranded and schools closed, as youths blocked roads and operators halted services amid rising fuel costs tied to global pressures. Horn Diplomacy Push: In Jigjiga, Ethiopia hosted the Horn Inter-Elite Dialogue calling for “regional agency” and deeper integration to reduce recurring crises and external meddling. Ethiopia’s Data Sovereignty: Officials say Ethiopia is moving toward full control of its national data systems to strengthen policy autonomy. Dangote Fertiliser Boost: Aliko Dangote raised his Ethiopia fertiliser project investment to over $4bn, expanding it into an integrated industrial ecosystem.

Regional Energy Deal: Uganda’s Museveni backed a proposed $15–$17bn East Africa refinery after meeting Aliko Dangote, saying it should boost regional integration and value addition—while insisting Uganda’s Hoima refinery still moves ahead. Fertiliser Push: Dangote also toured the under-construction Gode fertiliser complex with PM Abiy, raising total investment to over $4bn and adding a 110km gas pipeline, 120MW power plant, NPK blending and packaging—aimed at ending Ethiopia’s import dependence and strengthening food security. Data Sovereignty: In Addis Ababa, Abiy highlighted Ethiopia’s drive for locally controlled data systems at a national summit and exhibition on “Data Sovereignty for Policy Autonomy,” showcasing planning dashboards for infrastructure, economy and social services. Horn Peace Talks: A two-day Inter-Elite Dialogue opened in Jigjiga to coordinate regional peace and security among Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti. Education Alarm: A new analysis warns over 100m African children and adolescents remain out of school, with progress stalling as population growth outpaces enrolment.

Dangote Fertiliser Push: Aliko Dangote says his Ethiopia investment has jumped to over $4bn (from $2.5bn), expanding a Gode urea project with a 110km pipeline, 120MW power, packaging and a 2m-ton NPK blending plant—framed by PM Abiy as a direct route to food security and industrial self-reliance. Diplomacy & Regional Pressure: Egypt deepened ties with Eritrea, reiterating that Red Sea security is the “exclusive responsibility” of littoral states, a message aimed at limiting Ethiopia’s ambitions in the maritime space. Health & Aid Debate: A new report argues cash transfers can make aid more efficient as funding tightens. Sports & Soft Power: CAF confirmed the AFCON 2027 qualifying draw in Cairo on Tuesday, while Ethiopian Airlines marked its 80th anniversary with international praise during an Addis road race. Ongoing Watch: Coverage also flags continued uncertainty around global vaccination momentum and the wider ripple effects of conflict-driven fuel and food shocks.

AFCON 2027 Draw: CAF will hold the qualifying draw in Cairo on Tuesday, setting the routes for 48 nations as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-host the tournament in June–July 2027. Urban Development: Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh is in Dire Dawa inspecting major projects as the city pushes modernization. Fertilizer Push: PM Abiy says Ethiopia is making progress on a Dangote-backed fertilizer plant in Gode, aimed at boosting food security and cutting reliance on imports. Land & Infrastructure: Kenya’s National Land Commission issued a notice for compulsory land acquisition in Meru County for the Nithi River Bridge realignment. Education Access: Fawezi and the Mastercard Foundation handed laptops to 192 marginalized students in Zimbabwe, with the program expanding across multiple African countries. Regional Tensions: BRICS unity took a hit in New Delhi after Iran and the UAE clashed over the Middle East, leaving the bloc without a joint closing statement. Red Sea Stance: Egypt and Eritrea reiterated that Red Sea security is the “exclusive responsibility” of littoral states.

Red Sea Standoff: Egypt and Eritrea doubled down that Red Sea security is the “exclusive responsibility” of littoral states, rejecting outside roles—an implicit slap at Ethiopia’s push for sea access and its Red Sea governance ambitions. US-Ethiopia Reset: Washington lifted Ethiopia’s “policy of denial” arms-export restriction under ITAR, signaling a thaw after the Pretoria peace deal, even as regional maritime tensions keep the pressure on. Industrial Push in Addis: PM Abiy inaugurated the Gelan Gura Industrial Park, pitching it as proof that industrial growth must lift farmers and create jobs—while Addis Mayor Adanech said the city’s industrial focus is already driving import substitution. Election Watch: Ethiopia’s election board asked for nearly 10 billion birr more as the June 1 vote nears, with concerns about possible second-round costs. Food Stress Signals: A new AGRA report warns food insecurity is worsening as fuel and fertilizer prices rise and displacement strains Ethiopia’s hotspots.

Ethiopia Election Watch: Addis Ababa Political Parties Joint Council Chairman Maru Jane says Ethiopia’s “wider political space” is driving stronger participation in the 7th General Election, with more citizens getting voter cards and parties receiving election-law training to keep the process peaceful and fair. BRICS Fault Lines: In New Delhi, BRICS foreign ministers failed to issue a joint statement as Iran and the UAE clashed over the West Asia crisis; India released only a chair’s statement noting “differing views,” while the bloc still backed Palestinian statehood and UN reforms. Regional Security Shock: The week’s wider coverage keeps spotlighting how drone warfare is worsening civilian harm in Sudan, with UN officials warning drones are now a leading cause of conflict deaths. Industrial Push: PM Abiy inaugurated the first phase of Gelan Gura Industrial Park, pitching it as a jobs and SME boost through import-substituting production. Digital Identity: Ethiopia showcased its Fayda Digital Identification Program at ID4Africa 2026, stressing service access and “one person, one identity.”

BRICS Fracture: BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi failed to agree on a joint statement, with India issuing only a chair’s statement after sharp divisions over the Iran–West Asia conflict—highlighting a widening split between Iran and the UAE as the bloc tries to project unity. Humanitarian Push: The UN says the US pledged $1.8 billion for lifesaving aid across 18 countries as Guterres prepares to leave Africa. Ethiopia’s Politics: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission says it has collected agendas in 93% of districts and is moving into a “critical” final phase aimed at concrete national consensus. Diplomatic Moves: President Taye received Romania’s envoy and also bade farewell to Ghana’s outgoing ambassador, underscoring continued regional engagement. Tech & Education: An Ethiopian developer won an AWS AIdeas contest with an offline AI learning app—an innovation built for low-connectivity realities. Business & Trade: Kenya’s chamber protests diesel price hikes, blaming domestic cost build-ups for eroding competitiveness.

National Dialogue Push: Ethiopia’s National Dialogue Commission says it has collected agendas in 93% of the country and is moving into a “critical” next phase, after 22 rounds of consultations and workaround sessions for Tigray where talks were blocked. BRICS Rift Over West Asia: In New Delhi, BRICS foreign ministers failed to agree on a joint statement over the Iran war; India issued a chair’s statement citing “differing views,” with Iran and the UAE trading sharp accusations. AU-UN Warning on External Interference: AU and UN leaders in Addis Ababa warned that outside weapons, money and political backing are fueling crises across the Sahel, Sudan, the Horn and eastern DR Congo. Kenya Fuel Price Fire: Nairobi opposition figure Ndindi Nyoro accused officials of profiteering under Kenya’s G2G fuel import scheme as EPRA set new, higher pump prices. Ethiopia-India/Development Diplomacy: Ethiopia and India reaffirmed sector-wide cooperation, while Ethiopia’s finance ministry reviewed Korea’s ODA portfolio, citing $1.2bn+ in active support.

BRICS Diplomacy Under Strain: Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi urged BRICS to condemn alleged US and Israeli violations of international law, accusing the UAE of direct involvement in aggression against Iran—raising fresh doubts inside the consensus bloc as West Asia war and oil shocks dominate talks in New Delhi. Ethiopia in the Spotlight: Ethiopia’s FM Gedion Timothewos Hessebon arrived for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, while Addis Ababa also pushed its “dependency to productivity” agenda and reported export momentum—earning over $8.7bn in export trade in 10 months. Humanitarian Reset Funding: The US pledged an additional $1.8bn to OCHA’s humanitarian “reset” model, bringing total support to $3.8bn across 21 countries. Digital Sovereignty: ID4Africa warned digital ID is now critical infrastructure needing sovereign cyber defence, as Africa Digital ID Hackathon 2026 spotlights new local solutions. DRC/Somalia Security: M23 reportedly abandoned gains in eastern DRC, while Somalia faces a political showdown. Aviation Fallout: A US jury awarded $49.5m to the family of an Ethiopian 737 MAX crash victim.

West Asia Shock Hits Global Diplomacy: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi used the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi to urge members to condemn the US and Israel over “illegal aggression,” while warning BRICS unity is being tested by the Iran war and energy fallout. Maritime Pressure: India’s Jaishankar pushed for “safe, unimpeded maritime flows” through the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, as shipping and oil nerves stay raw. Ethiopia’s Climate Push: Ethiopia’s COP32 hosting is being pitched as a platform to amplify Africa’s climate voice and unlock green finance, with UNECA pointing to the new securities exchange as a tool for long-term funding. Green Energy Deal: Ming Yang secured a license for about 8.4 GW of wind and solar in Ethiopia tied to green hydrogen and ammonia plans. Trade & Food Security: The US USDA announced 20,000 tonnes of wheat under Food for Peace for East Africa, with Ethiopia and Kenya among the targets. Diplomatic Moves: Ghana’s Mahama swore in new ambassadors to Japan and Ethiopia, stressing ambassadors’ economic role. Aviation Liability: A Chicago jury awarded $49.5m to the family of a Boeing 737 MAX crash victim linked to the Ethiopia Airlines disaster.

BRICS Shadow Over Delhi: Foreign ministers from BRICS—now including Iran and Ethiopia—arrived in New Delhi for a two-day meeting, but the U.S.-Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions are set to dominate talks, with India trying to manage deep splits over whether to issue a unified line. Ethiopia-France Diplomacy: In Addis Ababa, President Macron wrapped up his Africa trip with talks on UN reform and inclusive governance, while Ethiopia and France signed a €54.6m deal to digitally modernize Ethiopia’s national grid and expand access. UN Multilateral Push: UN chief Guterres praised Ethiopia’s multilateral leadership as PM Abiy renewed calls for urgent reform of global institutions—especially Africa’s representation at the Security Council. Migration Pressure, Far Beyond Africa: Uganda’s open-door refugee policy faces strain as regional conflicts intensify, while in Europe the 200,000th Channel small-boat migrant reportedly reached a four-star hotel within days. Heritage and Signals: Britain returned bloodstained relics of Emperor Tewodros II to Ethiopia, a symbolic step in the wider push to recover removed heritage.