AGP Executive Report

Dangote vs African economies: Bloomberg Billionaires Index comparisons using IMF 2026 GDP projections say Aliko Dangote’s net worth now exceeds the projected economies of 33 African nations, with Gabon among those listed. CEMAC export hit: BEAC data show CEMAC agricultural export prices fell 21.8% in Q1 2026, led by a 24.6% cocoa drop, with coffee also weaker. Gabon logistics push: AGL and Algest Investment Bank have started construction of the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon under the Belinga logistics corridor, including a 550-km railway to move iron ore to a new four-berth mineral port. AI in the browser: Google expands Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, adding Gabon to the covered African locales. CEMAC energy rebound: BEAC reports CEMAC export prices rose 0.7% in Q1 2026 as energy prices climbed 23%, lifting oil and gas receipts after a prior decline. Shelter Afrique governance: Célestine Ketcha Courtès was elected to Shelter Afrique’s board representing Central Africa, marking a key step in the bank’s post-reform governance. Oil production restart: Vaalco restarted production at the Baobab field (CI-40, offshore Côte d’Ivoire) after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment, bringing four wells back online. Trade finance: Afreximbank says it has committed $83bn to Nigeria since inception, with Lagos a major focus ahead of the next Intra-African Trade Fair.

Port & Rail Push in Gabon: AGL and Algest Investment Bank have started construction of the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon, a core link in the Belinga logistics corridor, including a 550-km railway to move high-grade iron ore to the coast for exports of over 100 million tonnes a year. Digital Expansion: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Gabon and other African markets, aiming to make the browser more helpful with built-in AI search and understanding. Regional Energy Signals: BEAC says CEMAC export commodity prices rose 0.7% in Q1 2026, driven by a rebound in global energy prices, with oil up to an average $75.7 a barrel. Business & Finance Appointments: Célestine Ketcha Courtès was elected to Shelter Afrique’s board, strengthening Central Africa representation after the bank’s governance reforms. Trade & Infrastructure Finance: DR Congo’s accession to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol could unlock cheaper private rail financing across the region, with Gabon already a founding contracting state. Health Tech in Africa: Malawi hospitals are using an AI monitoring system (IMPALA) to cut child mortality by flagging deterioration earlier.

Shelter Afrique Governance: Cameroon’s Minister Célestine Ketcha Courtès was elected to Shelter Afrique’s Board of Directors at the Rabat AGM, beating a competing bid from Gabon’s urban planning minister and marking a key step in the bank’s post-reform governance structure aimed at tackling Africa’s affordable housing deficit. CEMAC Trade & Energy: BEAC’s Composite Commodity Price Index shows a 0.7% quarter-on-quarter rise in CEMAC export prices in Q1 2026, driven by a 23% jump in energy prices, including crude and natural gas—an important signal for Gabon’s export receipts. Gabon Logistics Push: AGL says construction has started on the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon, part of the Belinga iron-ore logistics corridor, targeting exports of over 100 million tonnes annually and new jobs. Oil & Gas Output: Vaalco restarted production at the Baobab field on Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-40 block after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment, with four wells back online and more expected—relevant for regional supply and investment sentiment. Rail Finance in the Region: DR Congo acceded to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol, effective Oct 1, 2026, which should unlock cheaper private financing for rolling stock across southern and central Africa, with Gabon already a founding contracting state. Digital Policy Watch: Google expands Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, while Ghana moves toward age verification rules—both underline how fast digital services and regulation are evolving across the region. Global Context: A report warns fossil fuels have not delivered sustained, inclusive development in Africa, citing extractive economic structures, inequality and weak job creation.

World Cup 2026 Pay: FIFA has set referees’ earnings at up to £75,000 (about $100,000) for the tournament, with top officials potentially earning more for later stages. CEMAC Trade & Energy: BEAC reports CEMAC export commodity prices rose 0.7% in Q1 2026 after three quarters of decline, driven by a 23% jump in energy prices as oil and gas strengthened. Gabon Logistics Push: AGL says construction has started on the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon, a key node in the Belinga iron-ore logistics corridor, aimed at boosting exports and jobs. Oil Production Restart: Vaalco restarted production at the Baobab field on Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-40 block after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment, bringing four wells back online with more expected soon. Regional Finance: Afreximbank says it has committed $83bn to Nigeria since inception, with projects including industrial parks and special economic zones in places like Gabon. Digital Access in Africa: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, adding built-in AI search and help for users across 55 African markets. Rail Investment Framework: DR Congo acceded to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol, joining Gabon and South Africa to unlock private financing for rolling stock across the region.

Port & Logistics in Focus: AGL has kicked off construction of the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon, tied to the Belinga iron-ore rail corridor, aiming to move over 100 million tonnes of ore annually and create thousands of jobs. Marine Infrastructure Deal: Indian contractor Afcons Infrastructure shares surged after winning a Rs 5,301 crore (₹53.01bn) contract for a 10.14 km breakwater at India’s Vadhvan Port—Afcons also cites its experience delivering the New Owendo International Port in Gabon. Energy Update: Vaalco Energy restarted production at the Baobab field on Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-40 block after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment, bringing four wells back online with more expected soon. Finance & Trade: Afreximbank says it has committed $83bn to Nigeria since inception, with Lagos a key beneficiary as the city prepares to host the next Intra-African Trade Fair. Digital Policy Watch: Gabon is again in the spotlight as reports discuss potential moves to tighten identity-linked age verification rules for online content.

Port & Logistics Deal: Afcons Infrastructure secured a Rs 5,301 crore (₹53bn) contract for a 10.14 km breakwater at India’s Vadhvan Port, a major marine works win that also boosted its shares. Gabon Infrastructure Push: AGL reaffirmed its commitment to Gabon’s Kobe-Kobe port project, tied to the Belinga logistics corridor and plans to move over 100 million tonnes of iron ore annually by rail to a new mineral port. Oil Production Update: Vaalco restarted production at the Baobab field on Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-40 block after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment, bringing four wells back online with more expected soon. Trade Rules of Origin: WCO and the EU-backed Rules of Origin Africa Programme trained customs experts across several countries, aiming to strengthen how preferential trade agreements are applied. Energy Risk Watch: With US-Iran tensions raising fears for the Strait of Hormuz, global oil flows are being reshuffled, including shipments reaching Asian refineries from wider sources that can include West Africa. Governance & Investment: An IMF report says coups sharply cut investment growth and weigh on GDP, underlining the economic cost of political instability. Business & Society: Gabon’s potential return to stricter rules on same-sex relations is flagged as a risk to the economy, while Gabon’s earlier age-verification move for digital content remains a regional reference point.

Marine Infrastructure Deal: Afcons Infrastructure shares jumped over 8% after the firm won a ₹5,301 crore (Rs 5,301 crore) Letter of Award for a 10.14-km breakwater at India’s Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra, with the project expected to become the second-longest breakwater in the world. Oil & Gas Restart: Vaalco Energy restarted production at the Baobab field on the CI-40 block offshore Côte d’Ivoire after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment in Dubai; production is back from four wells, with three more expected to return soon, supporting a Phase 5 drilling programme later in 2026. Trade Facilitation: The WCO’s EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is training national rules-of-origin experts across several countries, including Nigeria and others, to help customs and businesses apply preferential trade agreements more effectively. Gabon in the Spotlight: A report says Gabon may move to re-criminalize same-sex relations, raising concerns about potential economic fallout if the bill advances. Regional Finance Watch: African banking regulators met in Yaoundé to discuss prudential cooperation and financial stability amid faster financial innovation and digital services.

Oil & Gas: VAALCO Energy says production has restarted at the Baobab field on Côte d’Ivoire’s CI-40 block after a nine-month FPSO refurbishment in Dubai, with four wells back online and three more expected soon. Trade & Customs: Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco and The Gambia (plus others) have formed national pools of rules-of-origin experts after Training of Trainers workshops, aiming to make preferential trade agreements work compliantly. Finance & Industry: Afreximbank committed $83bn to Nigeria since inception and highlighted Lagos as a trade and industrial growth hub, pointing to industrial parks and special economic zones in Benin and Gabon. Gabon Business: Gabon signed a contract for its participation in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, moving forward on operational steps toward being a participant country. Banking Regulation: African banking supervisors met in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation and manage risks from financial innovation and digital services. Governance & Risk: An IMF report links military coups to sharp drops in investment growth and weaker GDP performance across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Bioacoustics for conservation in Gabon: A new Soundscape Baselines Project is using forest sound recordings to catch biodiversity loss that satellites and carbon accounting can miss, with Gabon logged forests showing different dawn and dusk “chorus” patterns even when canopy looks intact. Critical minerals push meets forest costs: A G7 drive to secure minerals from Africa is colliding with research showing mining-related forest clearing across sub-Saharan Africa, including major supply roles for Gabon in manganese. IMF on coups and investment: The IMF says military takeovers cut investment growth by an average 14.3 points and can shave GDP growth for years, warning of long-run damage to trade and household spending. Gabon in the spotlight for EXPO 2027: Gabon signed its contract for participation in Belgrade’s EXPO 2027, moving forward on operational steps for the May–August 2027 event. Gabon-linked corruption probe: Switzerland searched commodities trader Gunvor over suspected bribery tied to an oil contract in Gabon in 2024, with Gunvor denying wrongdoing. Gabon oil development update: Record Resources says work on the Loba discovery in Gabon is pointing to potential initial output above 5,000 barrels per day, using nearby fields as production analogues. CEMAC banking regulators meet: African banking supervisors gathered in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise risks across the region including Gabon. Gabon policy risk debate: Commentary says Gabon could re-criminalize same-sex relations, with concerns raised about potential economic fallout if the bill advances.

Oil & Investment: ReconAfrica says it has started production testing at Kavango West 1X in Namibia, a reminder of how exploration timelines and deliverability claims can move investor sentiment across the region. Gabon Politics & Rights: Commentary in Gabon suggests a push to re-criminalize same-sex relations, with penalties up to five years in prison and fines up to 10 million CFA—while warning of potential economic fallout from renewed restrictions. Macroeconomics & Stability: An IMF report links military coups to a 14.3-point average drop in investment growth, with weaker trade and GDP growth that can linger for years. Critical Minerals & Environment: G7 leaders plan to deepen sourcing of minerals from Africa, even as new research warns mining is driving forest loss across sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon Trade & Expo: Gabon signed a contract for its participation in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, moving the country toward operational steps as 138 nations confirm attendance. Central Africa Finance: Banking regulators met in Yaoundé to discuss risks from financial innovation and digital services, with Gabon in the CEMAC supervisory orbit. Illicit Finance: A Central Africa workshop in Yaoundé targets money laundering and illicit financial flows, backed by EU-funded support. Health & Risk: Ebola coverage highlights the spread of a new strain in the DRC and ongoing vaccine work—an issue that can quickly become an economic and logistics challenge.

Gabon Trade & Investment: Gabon’s EXPO 2027 participation deal was signed in Belgrade, clearing the way for the next operational steps for the Belgrade event (May 15–Aug 15, 2027) under “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” Oil & Gas: Record Resources says further work on Gabon’s Loba discovery points to a first well that could reach initial output above 5,000 barrels per day, with the wider Loba complex potentially targeting around 20,000 bpd. Financial Crime & Commodities: Switzerland searched commodities trader Gunvor’s Geneva offices in a corruption probe linked to an opaque Gabon oil contract signed in 2024, with Gunvor denying it knew of any such deal. Banking Regulation: African banking supervisors met in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation and financial stability as digital finance and new instruments raise risks across the continent, including in CEMAC where Gabon sits. Consular Services: Kenya’s embassy in Kinshasa urged Kenyans in DRC, Congo, CAR and Gabon to register to improve consular and emergency support. Governance & Tax: A Central Africa workshop in Yaoundé focused on fighting illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing, citing major annual losses from financial crime.

World Cup Betting Buzz: Flashscore’s preview for 2026 Group K (Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia) puts Portugal as the market leader, with Colombia and DR Congo framed as the main fight for the other qualification spots. Consular Services for Gabon-linked Diaspora: The Kenyan Embassy in Kinshasa urged Kenyans in DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Gabon to register to improve consular and emergency support. Gabon Oil Project Update: Record Resources says further studies on its Loba discovery in Gabon point to a first well potentially producing above 5,000 barrels per day, with the wider Loba complex seen at up to ~20,000 bpd. Central Africa Banking Watch: Regulators from across Africa met in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation and manage risks from financial innovation and digital services, with COBAC highlighting CEMAC-wide priorities. EXPO 2027 Contract Signed (Gabon): Gabon signed a contract for its participation in EXPO 2027 Belgrade, paving the way for operational steps toward the May–August 2027 event. Illicit Finance Focus: A four-day workshop in Yaoundé brought together Central African governments and partners to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows draining development resources. Ebola Developments: Coverage flags ongoing Ebola concerns in Central Africa and notes vaccine work is underway, but human use is still expected to take time.

Gabon’s EXPO 2027: Gabon signed a contract in Belgrade to formalise its participation in the specialised expo, with operational steps now set to follow under the theme “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” Gabon oil outlook: Record Resources says further Loba oil discovery studies point to a first well that could produce above 5,000 barrels per day, with the wider Loba complex potentially reaching around 20,000 bbl/d. Central Africa banking oversight: Regulators gathered in Yaoundé for CABS to strengthen prudential cooperation and manage risks from digital finance and new instruments across the CEMAC region. Illicit finance fight (Gabon included): A four-day workshop in Yaoundé brought together governments and civil society from Cameroon, Gabon, CAR and DRC to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows. Corruption probe in the region: Switzerland searched commodities trader Gunvor’s Geneva HQ over suspected bribery tied to an opaque Gabon oil contract in 2024, with Gunvor denying involvement. Public services for citizens abroad: Kenya’s embassy in Kinshasa urged Kenyans in DRC, Congo, CAR and Gabon to register to improve consular and emergency support.

Consular Services: The Kenyan Embassy in Kinshasa urged Kenyans in the DRC, Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Gabon to register to speed up consular and emergency support. Gabon Expo 2027: Gabon signed a contract in Belgrade to formalise its participation in EXPO 2027, themed “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” Oil & Gas Outlook (Gabon): Record Resources says studies for its Loba discovery could support a first well producing above 5,000 barrels per day, with the wider Loba complex targeting up to ~20,000 bpd. Central Africa Banking Watch: African banking regulators met in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise risks. Gabon-linked Corruption Probe (Switzerland): Swiss authorities searched commodities trader Gunvor over alleged bribery tied to an opaque Gabon oil contract in 2024; Gunvor denies wrongdoing. Central Africa Illicit Finance: A Yaoundé workshop brought together countries including Gabon to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows. Health & Safety: Coverage also highlights the fast-moving Ebola situation in Central Africa and ongoing vaccine work.

Gabon Expo 2027: Gabon has signed a contract for its participation in the specialised EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, clearing key operational steps toward becoming a participant country at the May 15–Aug 15, 2027 event. Oil & Gas (Gabon): Record Resources says further studies of its Loba oil discovery in Gabon point to a first well that could produce above 5,000 barrels per day, with the Loba Marine 2 well targeting the Batanga reservoir and using modern completion tech. Central Africa finance: Regulators and supervisors met in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation and financial stability amid digital finance and new instruments, with CEMAC oversight including Gabon. Illicit finance (Gabon in focus): A Yaoundé workshop brought together Central African governments and partners to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows, with Gabon among the countries in the regional push. Governance & legitimacy: A new analysis argues Africa’s coup wave reflects a deeper legitimacy crisis tied to governance performance, not just rejection of elections. Global trade pressure: The US is considering new 12.5% tariffs on exports from several African economies over forced-labour compliance concerns.

Gabon EXPO 2027: Gabon has signed a contract for its participation in the specialised expo in Belgrade, paving the way for further operational steps. The event runs May 15–Aug 15, 2027, under “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” Oil & Gas (Gabon): Record Resources says new geological and geophysical work on its Loba discovery could support a first production well delivering above 5,000 barrels per day, with the Loba Marine 2 well targeting the Batanga reservoir and using modern completion methods. Banking & Regulation (CEMAC): Regulators from across Africa met in Yaoundé for the Community of African Banking Supervisors conference, with a focus on prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise risks. Illicit finance (Central Africa): A four-day Yaoundé workshop brings together governments, civil society and partners to tackle money laundering and illicit financial flows draining Central Africa. Corruption probe (Gabon-linked): Switzerland searched Geneva trader Gunvor in a corruption case tied to an opaque Gabon oil contract reported in 2024, with Gunvor denying wrongdoing.