AGP Executive Report

Congo Basin Forests & Carbon: A new study using a machine-learning model estimates how much CO₂ Central Africa’s Congo Basin rainforests already store and pull out each year, finding that well-managed selective logging concessions account for more than half of net carbon removals—though critics warn that tackling conflicts driving illegal clearing could deliver bigger conservation gains. Gabon Civic Space Under Pressure: An AFP report says Gabon’s post-coup leadership is cracking down on criticism, with activists and opposition voices facing threats, arrests, and social media suspensions, including the case of TikTok influencer Nelly Ngabima. Gabon Trade Compliance: SGS renewed Gabon’s pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) mandate for a third straight term, marking a decade-long partnership aimed at strengthening product quality and consumer protection. Regional Governance Links: Togo moved to deepen constitutional and parliamentary cooperation with Gabon and Chad, including talks between constitutional court leaders and renewed legislative dialogue. Climate Risk & Water: A data-driven global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, underscoring the scale of infrastructure and service gaps relevant to Central Africa’s climate and health resilience.

Energy & Climate Resilience: India’s feared worst-case disruption from the Strait of Hormuz never fully materialised, as policy action helped it avoid fuel shortages and cushion consumer impacts—an energy-security lesson for import-dependent economies. Trade Quality & Consumer Protection (Gabon): SGS renewed Gabon’s pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) mandate for a third straight term, extending a decade-long partnership aimed at strengthening compliance and protecting consumers, with plans for digital inspection improvements. Security & Regional Stability: African military chiefs reaffirmed commitments to peace and security, stressing cooperation and respect for sovereignty—an environment-relevant backdrop for stability and displacement risks. Flood Risk & Urban Planning (Lagos): Heavy rains submerged parts of Lagos and disrupted airport operations, with agencies warning of heightened flood vulnerability through July–September—another reminder that drainage and climate adaptation must move faster. Climate Finance for Farmers: WFP highlights how inclusive climate insurance helped farmers recover after extreme weather shocks, protecting livelihoods and food security. Biodiversity & Medicinal Plants (Gabon): New harvesting approaches for ibogaine aim to ease pressure on Gabon’s sacred iboga plant, which has faced poaching and smuggling. Maritime Pollution & Shipping Emissions: Wärtsilä warns low-carbon fuel adoption is slowed by IMO delays and fragmented rules, complicating the shift to cleaner shipping.

Flood Risk Watch: Heavy rain has again battered Lagos, submerging roads and disrupting the temporary international terminal at Murtala Muhammed Airport, with agencies warning July–September could be the most vulnerable period. Airport Resilience: FAAN says flight operations have resumed after drainage problems linked to nearby construction caused power cuts and forced airlines to relocate. Climate Insurance for Farmers: The WFP highlights how climate insurance helped farmers like Senegal’s Aminata Tambedou and Syria’s Hafia Salim recover after extreme weather shocks. Gabon Civic Space Under Pressure: Reporting says Gabon’s new political climate is cracking down on criticism, with activists and social media users facing threats and account suspensions. Wildlife & Biodiversity (Gabon link): A new report points to Gabon’s sacred iboga plant and the push to reduce poaching by developing alternative ways to produce ibogaine for addiction treatment. Illegal Fishing Fight: A new international pledge at the Our Ocean Conference targets illegal fishing, a pressure that threatens coastal livelihoods across Africa.

Flood Risk in Lagos: Heavy rain on June 28 submerged roads and homes across Oshodi, Mushin, Surulere, Egbeda, Gbagada and more, forcing the FAAN to cut power and suspend operations at the temporary international terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport before relocating airlines to Terminal Two. Agencies warn the worst may be ahead: NiMet and NIHSA flag July–September as the peak vulnerability window, with Lagos already listed among high-risk states. Climate Insurance for Farmers: The WFP highlights how climate insurance helped farmers like Senegal’s Aminata Tambedou and Syria’s Hafia Salim recover after extreme weather shocks, aiming to protect livelihoods and reduce hunger risk. Gabon’s Crackdown on Criticism: A report says Gabon’s political climate is tightening, with activists and critics facing threats and account suspensions—an issue that shapes civic space around environmental governance. Illegal Fishing Pushback: A new international pledge signed at the Our Ocean Conference targets illegal fishing, aiming to protect depleted fish stocks that are also being hit by climate change. Restoring Forests in Gabon’s Region: A nature-based project backed by the Philippines’ DENR and aDryada points to large-scale rainforest restoration and ranger support, with Gabon noted in the company’s Congo Basin portfolio.

Gabon Environment & Governance: AFP reports a crackdown on criticism in Gabon, with opposition voices and social media users facing threats and account suspensions under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Climate & Water Risks: Heavy rains have flooded parts of Lagos, disrupting roads and airport operations, while agencies warn of heightened flood risk through the coming months. Clean Water Gap: A new global map shows where safe drinking water is still out of reach, with over 2 billion people lacking safely managed services. Nature Restoration: A French project developer and the Philippines’ environment authority plan to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, with ranger support and a carbon credit mechanism. Wildlife Conservation: Bristol Zoo welcomed a new silverback gorilla, Nkoumou, to lead a western lowland gorilla troop after the death of Jock, supporting a conservation breeding programme. Sustainable Shipping Policy: Wärtsilä warns low-carbon fuel adoption is being slowed by IMO delays and fragmented rules, leaving companies without clear incentives.

Flood Risk in Lagos: Heavy rain submerged major roads and disrupted airport operations after drainage was hit by construction, leaving residents on edge as agencies warn of heightened flooding in the coming months. Climate Insurance for Farmers: The WFP says inclusive climate insurance helped farmers recover after extreme weather shocks, protecting livelihoods and food security. Gabon Rights Under Pressure: A crackdown on criticism is reported to be shattering hopes for democratic change, with activists and social media users facing threats and account suspensions. Gabon Conservation & Restoration: A French-backed project with Gabon’s environment authorities aims to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, boosting park surveillance and local jobs. Illegal Fishing Push: Africa is calling for an end to industrial krill fishing in the Southern Ocean as coastal states meet in Mombasa to protect marine ecosystems. Water Access Map: A new global mapping shows safe drinking water remains out of reach for over 2 billion people, with stark gaps between countries.

Press Freedom in Gabon: A report says the post-coup climate is turning repressive, with opposition voices and activists targeted, including TikTok star Nelly Ngabima (“Princesse de Souba”), whose accounts were suspended after she criticized the Bongo family and the new leadership. Low-Carbon Shipping: Wärtsilä warns that IMO delays and fragmented rules are making it harder for shipping firms to afford and scale low-carbon fuels without a clear carbon-cost mechanism. Water Access Map: A new global map highlights that over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with big gaps between wealthy regions and many low-income countries. Allergy Care in Africa: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week by pushing for allergies and immune conditions to be treated as essential healthcare, not a neglected side issue. Gabon Rainforest Restoration: A French project and Gabon’s environment authorities are linked to large-scale rainforest restoration efforts in the Congo Basin, using carbon and conservation funding to support long-term protection. Biodiversity & Conservation: A new call urges an end to industrial krill fishing in the Southern Ocean to protect Antarctica’s food web as climate stress worsens.

Press Freedom & Civic Space: Gabon’s new political climate is tightening around critics, with opposition figures jailed, critical voices threatened, and social media suspended—TikTok star Nelly Ngabima (“Princesse de Souba”) says she was threatened and even granted French refugee status after posts about the Bongo family and alleged abuses. Illegal Fishing Crackdown: Ahead of the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, 16 countries pledged stronger action against illegal fishing, aiming to protect fish stocks and livelihoods as industrial fleets push artisanal fishers farther offshore. Rainforest Restoration (Gabon): A French nature-based project developer, aDryada, signed an agreement with Gabon’s DENR to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in the Congo Basin, with jobs, park surveillance support, and a carbon-credit mechanism. Biodiversity & Wildlife Health: Conservation groups warn that Ebola risk is spreading between people and wildlife, including in regions where gorillas have been hit—support is being provided to wildlife authorities with monitoring gear. Water Security (Global): A new global map highlights how safe drinking water remains out of reach for billions, underscoring the scale of infrastructure gaps.

Maritime Decarbonisation Watch: Wärtsilä warns shipping firms may struggle to switch to low-carbon fuels after IMO delays on a global decarbonization framework, with fuel costs rising and carbon pricing still uncertain. Water Access Gap: A new global map shows over 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, with access near-universal in wealthy regions but below 20% in several low-income countries. Illegal Fishing Pressure: A landmark pledge at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa targets illegal fishing, as industrial fleets and climate change push artisanal fishers farther offshore. Gabon Rainforest Restoration: A French nature-based project developer and Gabon’s environment authority sign an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares in Samar (with carbon finance and ranger support), highlighting ecosystem recovery and livelihoods. Biodiversity & Health Link: Conservationists in Uganda step up gorilla protection amid Ebola risk, using non-contact monitoring tools to safeguard both wildlife and visitors. Freshwater Resources: A ranking places Gabon among the top countries for renewable freshwater per person, underscoring the need to manage water sustainably as climates swing.

World Allergy Week 2026: AFRICALLI is urging African health systems to treat asthma and other allergic and immunologic diseases as essential care, saying millions of patients still face under-recognition, weak training, and gaps in diagnostics and key medicines. Illegal fishing crackdown: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, 16 countries pledged stronger action against illegal fishing, aiming to expose and curb malpractice that is pushing coastal communities to travel farther for dwindling catches. Gabon-linked conservation finance: A French nature-based project developer, aDryada, signed an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, with surveillance support and a carbon/economy benefit-sharing model—highlighting how Congo Basin conservation can be funded and managed. Water security under climate stress: Scientists are mapping where Gabon and other African regions can safely extract groundwater as droughts and extreme rainfall swings strain surface supplies. Biodiversity and health risks: Uganda’s gorilla conservation efforts are stepping up amid Ebola concerns, including new monitoring gear to protect both wildlife and visitors. Gabon in the spotlight: A new silverback gorilla, Nkoumou, is set to lead a western lowland troop at Bristol Zoo as part of a conservation breeding programme.

World Allergy Week 2026: AFRICALLI is pushing for allergies and immunologic diseases to be treated as essential health care across Africa, warning that asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis remain under-recognised in national planning and medicine lists. Rainforest Restoration (Gabon-linked Congo Basin): A French nature-based project, aDryada, signed an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in the Philippines’ Samar Island Natural Park, with ranger support and a carbon/economic benefits model—highlighting wider Congo Basin experience including Gabon. Illegal Fishing Pressure: As coastal states meet at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, 16 countries pledged stronger action against illegal fishing, responding to how industrial fleets and climate change are pushing artisanal fishers farther offshore. Freshwater Resource Snapshot: A new ranking puts Gabon among the top countries by renewable freshwater per person, underscoring the need to protect water sources as climate swings intensify. Gabon Conservation & Health: Regional conservation groups are also responding to Ebola risks to wildlife, including support for gorilla protection measures in Uganda. Gabon Economy & Environment: A Gabon-focused potash pitch argues the country could help diversify fertilizer supply chains, tying mining development to agricultural resilience.

World Allergy Week 2026: AFRICALLI is urging African governments to treat allergic and immunologic diseases as essential health care, saying conditions like asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis are widely under-recognised yet drive school absence, lost productivity, avoidable hospital admissions and preventable deaths. Forest Restoration (Gabon-linked): A French nature-based project developer, aDryada, says it will restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in the Philippines’ Samar Island Natural Park, with stronger ranger capacity and a carbon-credit mechanism—while noting a Congo Basin portfolio that includes Gabon. Biodiversity & Conservation: Bristol Zoo welcomed a new western lowland gorilla silverback, Nkoumou, to lead and protect its troop after the death of Jock, supporting a conservation breeding programme. Illegal Fishing Push: At Kenya’s Our Ocean Conference 2026, 16 countries pledged stronger action against illegal fishing, aiming to protect fish stocks threatened by industrial fleets and climate change. Water Security: Scientists report Africa is building a continent-wide digital map of groundwater resources to manage aquifers sustainably as rainfall swings intensify. Forestry Skills (Central Africa): AFD and RIFFEAC launched ADEFAC 2 with €5m to strengthen continuing training for forestry and wood-processing across Congo Basin countries including Gabon.

Health & Rights: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026 warning that asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis are a growing but under-recognised burden across Africa—often left out of national health planning, training and essential medicines lists. Forest Restoration: Gabon’s Congo Basin conservation work is echoed by a French-backed plan to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in the Philippines’ Samar Natural Park, using planting, enrichment and assisted natural regeneration plus ranger support and carbon finance. Wildlife & Disease Risk: Uganda’s mountain gorilla response to Ebola highlights how outbreaks can spread between people and wildlife; conservation groups are supplying non-contact monitoring gear to protect gorillas and visitors. Illegal Fishing Pressure: A new international push at the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa seeks tougher action against illegal fishing, as climate change and industrial overfishing push artisanal fishers farther offshore. Water Security: Scientists are mapping Africa’s groundwater to manage erratic rainfall and protect aquifers—vital for drought resilience where hundreds of millions lack safe drinking water. Gabon in the Spotlight: ADEFAC 2 expands AFD/RIFFEAC forestry training across Congo Basin countries including Gabon, aiming for better sustainable forest management and stronger wood-processing skills.

World Allergy Week 2026: AFRICALLI is pushing for allergies and immunologic diseases to be treated as essential health care across Africa, warning that conditions like asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis are widely under-recognised and often left out of national health planning. Illegal fishing crackdown: At the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, 16 countries pledged stronger action against illegal fishing, aiming to expose and stop malpractice that is pushing coastal communities to travel farther for dwindling catches. Sea fraud and sanctions evasion: Investigations describe Russia’s “Dark Fleet” using forged African flags and weak oversight to keep oil shipments moving, raising risks for coastal states and the marine environment. Rainforest restoration in the region: A French-backed project signed an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, with surveillance support and carbon financing—highlighting how restoration and protection can be funded at scale. Gabon-linked conservation finance: AFD and RIFFEAC launched ADEFAC 2 with €5m (about CFA 3.3bn) to strengthen continuing training for forestry and wood-processing across Central Africa, including Gabon. Biodiversity under pressure: Conservationists warn that vulture populations in central Africa face rising threats as belief-based poisoning and poaching demand spreads from West Africa.

Allergy Care Mainstreaming: AFRICALLI marks World Allergy Week 2026 with a push to treat asthma, eczema, food and drug allergies, and anaphylaxis as essential health care across Africa—calling out gaps in specialist training, diagnostics, and medicines. Cancer Dialogue at WHA79: WHO backs high-level Commonwealth and Francophonie discussions on cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care, stressing whole-of-government action and equitable access through strong primary health systems. Rainforest Restoration Deal: Gabon-linked conservation news echoes globally as a French project developer signs an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, combining planting, ranger capacity, and a carbon-credit mechanism to fund long-term protection. Biodiversity Under Pressure: Conservationists warn that demand for vultures driven by belief-based use is spreading from West Africa into central African populations, with poisoning and poaching threatening already fragile species. Water Security for a Hotter Future: Scientists are mapping Africa’s groundwater to identify where it can be safely extracted as rainfall and evaporation swings intensify, aiming to protect aquifers and expand reliable drinking water. Forestry Skills for Sustainability: AFD and RIFFEAC launch ADEFAC 2 with €5m (about CFA 3.3bn) to strengthen continuing training in forestry and wood-processing across six Congo Basin countries, including Gabon, to support sustainable forest management. Gabon’s Climate and Nature Stakes: A new report ranks Gabon among top countries for freshwater per person, while broader coverage highlights how climate stress is already reshaping ecosystems and resources.

Rainforest Restoration Deal: Gabon’s Congo Basin conservation gets a boost as a French nature-based project developer, aDryada, signs an agreement to restore 120,000 hectares of rainforest in Samar, with planting, ranger capacity and a carbon-credit mechanism aimed at long-term ecosystem recovery. Wildlife & Health Risk: Conservationists in the region are also racing against disease, with Uganda’s gorilla protection efforts ramped up amid Ebola concerns, including new surveillance and visitor-safety gear for wildlife authorities. Water Security for a Hotter Future: Scientists are mapping Africa’s underground water supplies to guide safer, more equitable groundwater extraction as climate change brings sharper swings between drought and extreme rainfall. Biodiversity Under Pressure: A new push highlights how demand for vultures and poisoning practices are spreading from West Africa into central African populations, raising alarms for already vulnerable species. Sustainable Forestry Skills: France’s AFD and RIFFEAC back a five-year training expansion for forestry and wood-processing across Congo Basin countries, including Gabon, to strengthen sustainable forest management and industry competitiveness. Climate Perception: A global survey finds many people underestimate how much others also see climate change as a serious threat—an insight that could shape how Gabon and the region communicate climate action.