AGP Executive Report

Oil & Gas Update: ReconAfrica says it has filed its Q1 disclosure documents and is pressing ahead with production testing at Kavango West 1X, with downhole testing set to start before the end of May, plus a production-test schedule and a PEL 073 extension to Jan 2027. Mining & Local Value: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema warned Comilog (Eramet) to start processing manganese in-country by 2029, not just exporting ore. Housing & Cities: Gabon’s housing minister used WUF13 in Baku to flag a 300,000-unit housing deficit as urbanization tops 80%, alongside climate-driven risks like flooding and coastal erosion. Conservation Access: A new commentary argues marine protection fails when the ocean is out of reach for people with disabilities and remote communities. Policy & Rights: Spain’s “Jane Goodall Law” bans primate experiments and their use in commercial shows, while a Banjul workshop urged stronger action against violence against women, including cyberstalking and climate-linked harm.

Manganese Push in Australia: New ASX juniors are stepping in as Australia’s manganese output declines, betting on WA resources to keep the metal flowing for steel and fast-growing battery demand. Gabon Mining Ultimatum: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema told Comilog (Eramet) to start processing manganese locally by 2029—or lose out to others. Finance for Transformation: A new argument says Africa isn’t short of capital (pension, insurance, reserves total $4T+), but short on the mechanisms to scale investment into real infrastructure and jobs. Roads, Finally Moving in Cameroon: Cameroon secured CFA130.4B for the long-stalled Ebolowa–Kribi highway after 15 years. Housing Pressure in Gabon: At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister warned of a ~300,000-unit deficit as urbanization tops 80%. Animal Rights Law in Spain: Spain passed the Jane Goodall Law banning primate experiments and their use in commercial shows.

Gabon’s manganese ultimatum: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Brice Oligui Nguema told French miner Comilog (Eramet) to start processing Gabon’s manganese locally—or face replacement—giving the company until 2029 to move beyond exporting raw ore. Cameroon infrastructure breakthrough: After a 15-year delay, Cameroon secured a CFA130.4bn loan (backed by UK Export Finance) to revive the Ebolowa–Kribi highway project, clearing long-stalled financing and compliance hurdles. Women’s safety, now including online abuse: A Banjul workshop urged stronger prevention and response to violence against women and girls, flagging cyberstalking, tech-facilitated abuse, weak reporting channels, and climate-driven vulnerability. Housing push in Gabon: At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister said the country faces a deficit of about 300,000 units as urbanization tops 80%. Energy and jobs pressure: Nigeria’s oil sector is again criticized for failing to cut poverty despite decades of production, while Gabon’s own power story shows renewables rising even as oil liftings stall.

Wildlife Protection: Spain has passed the “Jane Goodall Law,” banning experiments on great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, bonobos) and ending their use in commercial shows, while also sanctioning degrading treatment and setting a path to move captive apes into specialized sanctuaries. Gabon & Climate-Linked Housing Pressure: At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister warned that rapid urbanization has pushed the country toward a deficit of about 300,000 homes, with climate risks like flooding and coastal erosion adding strain. Regional Infrastructure Push: Cameroon has secured CFA130.4 billion for the long-delayed Ebolowa–Kribi highway after a 15-year hold-up, with financing tied to strict environmental and social compliance. Gender Violence Focus: Across West and Central Africa, leaders meeting in Banjul called for stronger action against violence against women and girls, highlighting cyberstalking and climate shocks as rising drivers.

Macron Backlash: A fresh reply to Emmanuel Macron’s “Pan-Africanist” claim is making waves, with critics arguing France’s record in Africa contradicts the rhetoric. Cameroon Infrastructure: After a 15-year delay, Cameroon has secured CFA130.4 billion for the strategic Ebolowa–Kribi highway, with financing backed by Standard Chartered and UK Export Finance. Women’s Safety: In Banjul, ACT Africa pushed for stronger action against violence against women and girls, flagging cyberstalking, tech-facilitated abuse, weak reporting, and climate shocks. Urban Housing Push (Gabon): At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister said the country faces a roughly 300,000-unit housing deficit as urbanization tops 80%. Gabon Mining Pressure: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Oligui Nguema warned Comilog to start processing manganese locally by 2029—or face alternatives. Energy Signals: PetroEnergy’s Q1 net fell 14% as oil liftings stalled, while renewables kept power sales moving.

Road Finance Breakthrough: Cameroon has finally unlocked the long-stalled Ebolowa–Kribi highway, signing a CFA130.4bn loan with Standard Chartered Bank (backed by UKEF), ending a 15-year logjam for the 179-km corridor that had been stuck behind technical and environmental compliance hurdles. Gender & Climate Safety: In Banjul, ACT Africa partners urged stronger action against violence against women and girls, flagging cyberstalking, tech-facilitated abuse, weak justice systems, and climate shocks that deepen vulnerability. Urban Housing Pressure (Gabon): At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister warned of a roughly 300,000-unit housing deficit as urbanisation tops 80%, with flooding and coastal erosion adding urgency. Oil’s Poverty Test (Nigeria): A new report says decades of oil production have not reduced poverty or delivered broad-based growth, with benefits concentrated among a small elite. Mining Value-Add (Gabon): At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Oligui Nguema told Comilog to start processing Gabon’s manganese locally by 2029—or face alternatives.

Women’s Rights Mobilization: Africa leaders closed a Banjul workshop (13–15 May) calling for stronger action against violence against women and girls, warning that cyberstalking and technology-facilitated abuse are rising while reporting and justice systems remain underfunded and weak. Urban Housing Pressure: At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister said the country faces a deficit of about 300,000 units as urbanization tops 80%, with climate risks like flooding and coastal erosion worsening the squeeze. Gabon Mining Push: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Brice Oligui Nguema told Comilog to start processing manganese locally by 2029—or face alternatives. Energy and Livelihoods: A new report on Nigeria argues decades of oil production have failed to cut poverty, deepen dependence, and leave most people worse off. Wildlife Enforcement: In Cameroon’s East Region, authorities arrested traffickers with over 700kg of pangolin scales, with links reported across Central Africa including Gabon.

Housing & Cities: At WUF13 in Baku, Gabon’s housing minister warned the country faces a deficit of about 300,000 homes as urbanisation tops 80%, with climate risks like flooding and erosion worsening the pressure. Mining Policy: In Kigali at the Africa CEO Forum, President Brice Oligui Nguema told French manganese giant Comilog: process manganese locally by 2029—or lose the deal—signaling a push for value-add inside Gabon. Energy Shift: PetroEnergy’s Q1 results show oil liftings stalled in Gabon, leaving no oil revenue, while power sales rose on wind and solar output—an ongoing tilt toward renewables. Finance & Deals: IFC says it will explore Nigeria-focused investment frameworks in livestock, energy and housing, while Genmin reports strong interest for $200mn to fund its Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon. Conservation Access: A new commentary argues marine protection fails when people can’t access the ocean—especially remote islands and marginalised communities.

Housing Push at WUF13: In Baku, Gabon’s housing minister says the world faces a housing deficit of 3 billion people in substandard conditions and 300 million homeless, while Gabon’s own urban squeeze is stark: an 80%+ urbanization rate and a deficit of about 300,000 homes, worsened by fast city growth and climate risks like flooding and erosion. Local Value-Add Pressure: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Brice Oligui Nguema warned Comilog (Eramet) to start processing manganese in Gabon by 2029 or face alternatives—turning a raw-export debate into a deadline. Finance for Growth: IFC says it will send a mission to Nigeria to unlock private capital for livestock, energy and housing, while the World Bank-backed L-PRES project has reached 1.4 million beneficiaries across 20 states. Marine Access Gap: A new commentary argues ocean protection fails when people can’t reach or experience the sea—access is framed as a conservation requirement, not a side issue.

Gabon’s Local Processing Deadline: President Brice Oligui Nguema told French mining giant Comilog to start processing manganese in Gabon or face replacement—giving the company until 2029 to move beyond exporting raw ore. Gabon Mining Finance Push: Genmin says international investors are showing strong interest in funding its Baniaka iron ore project, with a Middle Eastern consortium among those pitching a full $200mn via a new joint venture. Energy Shift, Oil Stalls: PetroEnergy’s Q1 results show net income down 14% as no Gabon oil liftings were allocated, but power sales rose on wind and solar operations. Africa CEO Forum Momentum: In Kigali, leaders and financiers are lining up around “shared ownership” and investment models—while the week’s broader debate keeps circling how to turn resources into real development. Oil’s Development Gap: A new report argues decades of oil production across Africa haven’t cut poverty or built resilient local economies, with benefits concentrated among a small elite.

Oil’s Broken Promise: A new report says decades of oil production in Nigeria—and across 13 African producers—have failed to cut poverty or spark broad growth, arguing the sector was built for export profits, not resilient local economies, while countries export crude and still import costly fuel. Gabon’s Industrial Deadline: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema warned Comilog (Eramet) to start processing manganese locally by 2029 or face rivals—pushing the country to capture more value from a strategic mineral. Power Shift in Gabon’s Energy Mix: PetroEnergy’s Q1 results show net income down 14% and no oil liftings for Etame, but electricity sales rose as wind and solar projects ran and new generation started. Mining Financing Watch: Genmin says it has received interest for about $200m to develop its Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon, including a Middle Eastern JV offer. Marine Conservation Access: A commentary argues ocean protection will stall if people can’t experience the sea—access for disabled and marginalized communities is framed as a conservation failure.

Land-Rig Outlook: A new global land-rig quarterly snapshot flags how oil market swings are still reshaping contractor fortunes, with 2025’s revenue dip tied to softer activity and stalled liftings. Gabon Mining Pressure: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, President Brice Oligui Nguema told Comilog (Eramet) to start processing Gabon’s manganese locally by 2029—or face rivals stepping in. Project Finance Watch: Genmin says it’s fielding serious interest to fund its Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon, including a Middle Eastern consortium offer for the full $200mn via a JV. Energy Mix Signals: PetroEnergy reported a 14% Q1 net income fall, blaming no oil liftings for Etame operations in Gabon, while renewables kept power sales moving. Marine Access Debate: A fresh commentary argues ocean conservation fails when people can’t access the sea—especially on remote islands—turning accessibility into a conservation priority, not a side issue.

Local Industry Pressure: Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema has told French mining giant Comilog (Eramet) to start processing manganese locally—or risk losing out—giving the company until 2029 to move beyond exporting raw ore. Project Finance Watch: Genmin says it’s drawing serious interest for about $200mn to fund its Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon, including a Middle Eastern consortium offer via a new JV. Regional Investment Push: At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, IFC signaled new investment frameworks for Nigeria across livestock, energy and housing, while Gabon’s manganese push underscored a wider drive for industrial value-add. Energy Market Signals: PetroEnergy’s Q1 decline is easing as renewable output holds up, but oil liftings stalled—another reminder that timing and logistics still swing results. Conservation Governance: A new review highlights participatory mapping in conservation, stressing that who controls maps can decide what “empty” land really means.

IFC Push for Private Capital: The IFC says it will send a mission to Nigeria to build “scalable” investment frameworks, targeting livestock, energy, and housing—while the World Bank’s L-PRES livestock project has already reached about 1.4 million beneficiaries across 20 states. Gabon Iron Ore Financing Watch: In Gabon’s mining pipeline, Genmin says it has received strong interest for about $200mn to fund its Baniaka iron ore project, including a Middle Eastern consortium proposal via a new JV structure. Africa CEO Forum Momentum (Kigali): Leaders and investors are converging in Kigali for Africa CEO Forum 2026, with a focus on shared ownership and cross-border investment models. Food–Climate–Water Lens: A new Africa-wide framework argues the continent needs to break the link between food, climate, and water stress. Conservation & Governance: A review highlights how participatory mapping can challenge “empty forest” narratives—if communities’ rights and decisions are actually protected.

Mining Finance Push: Genmin says it has received serious interest to fund its $200mn Baniaka iron ore project in Gabon, including a Middle Eastern consortium offer to finance the full amount via a new joint venture, plus a Chinese bid for at least a 51% stake and other prepayment and bridge proposals—aiming for a final investment decision soon. Deal-Making Spotlight: The Africa CEO Forum in Kigali (May 14–15) is set to pull 2,000+ leaders into talks on shared ownership, cross-border investment models, and financing for infrastructure, mining, energy integration, and industrialisation—an important backdrop for Gabon’s resource-driven plans. Conservation & Governance: A new review highlights how participatory mapping can challenge “empty forest” narratives, but only works when tied to real decisions and safeguards for communities—relevant to Gabon’s land and forest debates. Health & Policy Pressure: Campaigners are pushing for mercury-free dentistry across Africa, noting Gabon has already phased out mercury-based practice. Wildlife Crime Crackdown: Three traffickers were arrested in Cameroon with 700kg of pangolin scales, with networks reported to extend into Gabon and beyond.

Iboga Spotlight in Gabon: In west African forests, Bwiti elders are guiding participants through traditional iboga treatment—drums, an eight-string harp, and long psychedelic rites—while the plant and ibogaine are thrust into global focus after a U.S. executive order pushes regulators to review its legal status and mental-health potential. Conservation Mapping Rules: A new review of 398 studies says participatory mapping is growing fast, but still struggles with consistent standards on ethics, data ownership, and how community maps actually drive decisions—highlighting how Gabon’s lived-in forests can be misread as “empty” by outside datasets. Regional Policy & Trade: Gabon’s oil story stays active as TotalEnergies EP Gabon reports stronger Q1 profitability on higher selling prices, while UAE–Gabon trade ties are referenced through new economic partnership agreements. Wildlife Enforcement: In Cameroon’s East Region, traffickers were arrested with 700+ kg of pangolin scales, showing how cross-border wildlife networks keep pressure on Central Africa.