AGP Executive Report

Gabon LNG Build-Out: Lloyd’s Register has secured a classification and technical assurance contract for the conversion of the LNG carrier Bayelsa into the FSU LNG Cap Lopez, supporting Perenco’s Cap Lopez mini-LNG project offshore Gabon and aiming to cut routine gas flaring. Potash Expansion: Millennial Potash says drillhole BA-006 at its Banio project in Gabon intersected about 80 metres of potash mineralisation, expanding the known footprint and adding new cycles to the deposit model. Energy & Markets Watch: A new look at African diesel pricing shows Libya at the cheapest end of the scale, highlighting how subsidies, taxes and exchange rates shape what consumers pay. Governance & Risk: Moody’s affirmed Gabon at Caa2 with a negative outlook and Fitch kept a CCC rating, pointing to fiscal stress, governance weaknesses and the impact of budget revisions and Eurobond plans on investor sentiment. Business Talent & Skills: A regional push for oil and gas workforce development in Africa spotlights the need for stronger local-content skills as major projects move toward final investment decisions. Regional Policy Capacity: A Yaoundé workshop seeks to close the gap between policy research and decision-making in Central Africa, a theme that matters for how quickly reforms reach the ground.

Health & Industry: A Senegal lab says it has started producing generic hydroxyurea, the WHO-recommended sickle cell treatment, aiming to cut costs and reduce dependence on expensive imported medicines. Gabon LNG & Shipping: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for the conversion of the LNG carrier Bayelsa into an FSU (FSU LNG Cap Lopez) for Perenco’s Cap Lopez project, with work underway in Dubai and designed to support LNG storage and reduce routine flaring. Energy Infrastructure in Gabon: The Cap Lopez LNG project is moving closer to completion as the FSU conversion advances, reinforcing Gabon’s push to expand gas output and local-content delivery. Finance & Trade Rails: PAPSS is expanding across Africa’s payment corridors, including Gabon, to enable faster cross-border transfers in local currencies and reduce reliance on correspondent banking. Governance & Credit: Gabon’s recent sovereign rating actions highlight investor sensitivity to budget revisions, deficit widening, Eurobond plans and IMF talks, with Moody’s and Fitch maintaining very high default-risk views. UK Migration Pathway: The UK Ancestry visa lists Gabon among eligible Commonwealth countries, offering a five-year route to live and work in Britain for qualifying applicants. Sports Transfers (Gabon link): Wrexham report a deal for Gabon international Jacques Ekomié, beating rivals including West Ham and Hamburg in the transfer race.

Gabon LNG push: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for the conversion of Perenco’s LNG Bayelsa into the FSU LNG Cap Lopez, a floating storage unit for Gabon’s Cap Lopez mini-LNG project—work underway at Drydocks World Dubai and aimed at supporting liquefaction, storage and export while reducing routine gas flaring. Energy security & governance: A look at Gabon’s recent credit rating actions shows how revised budgets, a wider deficit, Eurobond plans and IMF talks—plus scrutiny of public borrowing—kept Moody’s at Caa2 (negative) and Fitch at CCC, with investors reacting by pushing down government bond prices. Regional trade rails: PAPSS is expanding as Africa’s local-currency payment network, now operating across 28 countries including Gabon, promising faster, cheaper cross-border transfers for traders. Civic space in focus: A new analysis flags that civic space remains blocked or repressed across most of Sub-Saharan Africa, but notes improvements in places including Gabon—an angle investors increasingly watch. Local business infrastructure: Turkish firm Karmod has installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, highlighting demand for climate-ready, fast-to-deploy site buildings in Gabon’s mining sector.

LNG & Gas Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for Perenco’s Gabon Cap Lopez project, as the LNG carrier Bayelsa is being converted into an FSU (FSU LNG Cap Lopez) at Drydocks World Dubai—work includes steel renewals, new piping, a boil-off gas module and life-extension, aimed at supporting liquefaction, storage and export while reducing routine flaring. Oil & Gas Dealmaking: Veteran African E&P dealmaker Gabriel “Kapo” Simonian is back with Simco Energy, shifting from traditional farm-outs toward more advisory services as post-Covid valuations move in-house. Regional Energy Projects: Lloyd’s Register also backs the broader LNG carrier-to-FSU conversion push across Africa, reflecting growing demand for faster, lower-impact floating gas solutions. Payments & Trade Rails: FirstBank and PAPSS are highlighted in the race to own Africa’s payment rails, with the system enabling real-time cross-border transfers in local currencies across multiple countries including Gabon. Business Spotlight: Ghana-based entrepreneurship podcast Konnected Minds hit #1 on Apple Podcasts charts in several countries, including Gabon, underscoring growing appetite for African-led business content. Governance & Credit: Gabon’s downgrade and revised fiscal plans are framed as a rare look at how rating agencies weigh policy choices, financing strategies and governance risks. Mining & Local Industry: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda in Gabon, pointing to continued investment in on-site infrastructure.

Gabon LNG build-out: Lloyd’s Register has won classification and technical assurance work for Perenco’s Dixstone Lower Gulf FZCO on the conversion of the LNG Bayelsa into the FSU “LNG Cap Lopez,” being rebuilt at Drydocks World Dubai and set to support offshore liquefaction, storage and export for Gabon while helping cut routine gas flaring. Sovereign risk watch: Gabon’s recent credit rating moves are being read as a clear signal of how Moody’s and Fitch judge fiscal policy, financing plans and governance—after a revised budget, wider deficit and Eurobond steps, both agencies kept Gabon at very high default risk. Mining site upgrades: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, pitching faster, climate-controlled site accommodation for African operations. Water resources snapshot: A global ranking places Gabon among the higher renewable freshwater supply per person countries, highlighting the gap between abundance and actual withdrawals. Policy-to-action gap: A Central Africa forum in Yaoundé is set to tackle why research often fails to reach decision-makers—an issue with direct implications for Gabon’s business and development planning.

LNG & Energy Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register has won a classification and technical assurance contract for the conversion of the LNG Bayelsa into an FSU, temporarily named FSU LNG Cap Lopez, for Perenco’s Cap Lopez mini-LNG project offshore Gabon—work is underway at Drydocks World Dubai and is expected to support liquefaction, storage and export while helping cut routine gas flaring. Sovereign Risk Watch: Gabon’s recent credit rating actions are under the spotlight after Moody’s affirmed the country at Caa2 with a negative outlook and Fitch kept a CCC rating, with investors reacting to concerns over fiscal moves, a planned Eurobond and an audit of public borrowing liabilities. Regional Policy & Forests: A Yaoundé workshop on forest conversion in the Congo Basin brought together policymakers, NGOs and researchers from across Central Africa to push regional governance, monitoring tools and strategies against deforestation and degradation. Governance & Civic Space: A new analysis flags that civic space remains blocked or closed across most of Sub-Saharan Africa, but notes improvements in Gabon alongside Senegal and Mauritania. Business Environment (Global): In a separate development, a US federal judge overturned Trump’s immigrant visa suspension policy targeting nationals of 75 countries.

LNG Infrastructure Boost: Lloyd’s Register has won a classification and technical assurance contract for the conversion of an LNG carrier into an FSU for Perenco’s Cap Lopez mini-LNG project in Gabon, with the vessel (FSU LNG Cap Lopez, formerly LNG Bayelsa) being converted in Dubai and set to support liquefaction, storage and export while helping cut routine gas flaring. Sovereign Risk Watch: Gabon’s recent credit rating actions—Moody’s Caa2 with a negative outlook and Fitch CCC—highlight how revised budgets, wider deficits, Eurobond plans, and IMF talks, alongside audits of public borrowing, are weighing on investor sentiment. Energy Project Pipeline: ReconAfrica reported progress across Namibia, Gabon and Angola in Q2 2026, including production testing milestones at KW1X and continued Gabon work tied to seismic reprocessing. Governance & Civic Space: A new analysis flags that civic space remains heavily restricted across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, while noting improvements in countries including Gabon. Water Snapshot: A global ranking places Gabon among the higher renewable freshwater supply per person countries, underscoring the gap between water abundance and how much is actually withdrawn.

LNG Infrastructure Push: Lloyd’s Register has won a classification and technical assurance contract for Perenco’s Gabon project, overseeing the conversion of the LNG Bayelsa into the FSU LNG Cap Lopez at Drydocks World Dubai—aimed at supporting liquefaction, storage and export while reducing routine gas flaring. Energy Project Progress: The conversion covers major steel works, new piping, a boil-off gas module and life-extension measures, with the FSU planned to sail in Q3 2027 to serve the near-shore Cap Lopez development. Mining Site Build-Out: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, highlighting faster, climate-controlled site accommodation for African operations. Sovereign Credit Watch: Gabon’s recent rating actions—Moody’s Caa2 (negative) and Fitch CCC—were tied to budget revisions, a wider deficit, Eurobond plans and IMF talks, plus scrutiny of public borrowing liabilities. Regional Forest Governance: A two-day Yaoundé workshop on forest conversion in the Congo Basin brought together policy-makers, NGOs and researchers from across Central Africa to develop coordinated strategies against deforestation and degradation. Civic Space & Investment: A new analysis flags that most of Sub-Saharan Africa remains in “blocked, repressed or closed” civic space categories, while noting improvements in countries including Gabon.

Gabon LNG Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register secured a classification and technical assurance contract for Perenco’s Dixstone project, converting the LNG Bayelsa into the FSU LNG Cap Lopez at Drydocks World Dubai, due to support offshore liquefaction, storage and export for Gabon while helping reduce routine gas flaring. Sovereign Risk Watch: Gabon’s recent credit rating actions—Moody’s Caa2 with a negative outlook and Fitch CCC—highlight how revised budgets, Eurobond plans, IMF talks and scrutiny of public borrowing shape investor sentiment and bond prices. Local Industry & Jobs: Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, pointing to faster, climate-controlled site build-outs for Gabon’s mining operations. Regional Policy & Forests: A Yaounde workshop on forest conversion in the Congo Basin brought together Gabon and neighbours to push coordinated strategies against deforestation and degradation. Civic Space & Investment Climate: A new analysis flags that civic space reforms are improving in places including Gabon, arguing freer debate and association can boost transparency and investor confidence.

Energy & LNG Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register has won a classification and technical assurance contract for Perenco’s Gabon project, covering the conversion of the LNG Bayelsa into an LNG floating storage unit (FSU) temporarily named FSU LNG Cap Lopez at Drydocks World Dubai, with steel works, new piping, a boil-off gas module and life-extension measures; the FSU is set to support near-shore liquefaction, storage and export and help cut routine gas flaring. Mining & Site Logistics: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, pitching climate-controlled, fast-deploy buildings for African operations. Telecom Connectivity: Airtel Africa and SpaceX’s Starlink launched a direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, letting compatible smartphones connect without a dish, starting with SMS and light data. Policy & Governance: A new analysis highlights that Gabon has improved civic space in recent evaluations, while most of Sub-Saharan Africa remains blocked, repressed or closed—an issue investors watch. Business & Mobility: The UK’s Ancestry visa lists multiple African countries including Gabon as eligible for Commonwealth-linked applicants.

Gabon Energy & Shipping: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for the conversion of LNG Bayelsa into an FSU (FSU LNG Cap Lopez) for Perenco’s nearshore Gabon project, aiming to support LNG storage, reduce routine gas flaring and improve energy efficiency. Ivory Coast Gas Deal: Panoro Energy signed an $80m agreement with DNO to acquire an indirect stake in four producing offshore gas fields in Ivory Coast, targeting supplies to the domestic market. Gabon Mining Infrastructure: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, pitching faster site mobilization and better climate control for African operations. Regional Industrial Push: UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC to accelerate industrialisation by processing minerals and farm output into regional value chains. Telecom Connectivity Leap (DRC): Airtel Africa and Starlink launched a direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, enabling compatible smartphones to connect without a dish. Governance & Integrity (Nigeria): EFCC and ICPC began investigations into the use of Nigeria’s N12bn federal intervention fund released to the Nigeria Football Federation for wages and bonuses.

Gabon Energy & Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for the conversion of LNG Bayelsa into an FSU, “FSU LNG Cap Lopez,” for Perenco’s Gabon floating LNG project—aimed at LNG storage, export support from a nearshore barge, and reduced routine gas flaring. Gabon Mining Policy: Libreville is moving to end raw manganese exports and push more domestic processing, targeting higher value per tonne, more industrial jobs, and new processing investment. Regional Gas Deal: Panoro Energy signed an $80m deal to buy DNO’s indirect stake in four producing offshore gas fields in Ivory Coast’s Block CI-27, where gas supplies about 70% of domestic needs. Telecom Connectivity: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched a direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, letting compatible smartphones connect without a dish (initially SMS and light data). Corruption Watch: Nigeria’s EFCC and ICPC have started investigations into the use of Nigeria’s N12bn intervention fund released to the NFF for players’ wages and bonuses. Business Climate & Jobs: UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC to accelerate industrialisation by processing minerals and agricultural output into regional value chains.

Gabon Energy & LNG Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register is providing classification and technical assurance for the conversion of LNG Bayelsa into an FSU, “FSU LNG Cap Lopez,” for Perenco’s offshore gas project in Gabon—aimed at LNG storage, export support from a nearshore barge, and reduced routine gas flaring (sail-away planned for Q3 2027). Gabon Mining Value-Add: Libreville moves to end raw manganese exports and push domestic processing, targeting higher value products like manganese alloys to keep more economic value and jobs inside the country. Telecom & Connectivity (DRC): Airtel Africa and Starlink launched Africa’s first commercial direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, letting compatible smartphones connect without a dish, initially for SMS and light data. Regional Industry Push (SADC): The UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC to accelerate industrialisation by processing mineral and agricultural resources and building regional value chains. Business Climate & Markets: Boskalis reported solid first-half 2026 results despite weaker project awards and dredging fleet disruptions, while unemployment and diesel price trends across Africa underline ongoing cost and jobs pressures.

Gabon Energy & Infrastructure: Lloyd’s Register is overseeing the conversion of the LNG carrier LNG Bayelsa into the FSU LNG Cap Lopez for Perenco’s $2bn Cap Lopez floating LNG project in Gabon, with the unit set to sail in Q3 2027; the work includes major steel renewals, new piping, a boil-off gas module and life-extension assurance to support storage and export while cutting routine flaring. Mining & Industrial Policy: Libreville moves to end raw manganese exports and push deeper local processing, aiming to keep more value in-country through alloys and other processed outputs. Mining Logistics & Construction: Turkish firm Karmod installed modular container structures at a manganese mining site near Moanda, pitching climate-controlled, fast-deploy buildings for African operations. Regional Development: The UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC to industrialise by turning mineral and agricultural wealth into regional value chains. Telecom Connectivity (Africa-wide): Airtel Africa and Starlink launched a direct-to-phone satellite service in DR Congo, extending coverage without dishes for compatible smartphones. Business & Markets: Boskalis reported weaker H1 2026 results (revenue EUR 1.90bn; net profit EUR 275m) amid project delays and lower dredging fleet utilisation.

Mining & Infrastructure: Turkish firm Karmod has installed modular container buildings at a manganese mining site near Moanda, Gabon, touting climate-controlled, dust- and rainfall-ready units for faster site mobilization. Energy & Shipping: Lloyd’s Register is supporting the life extension conversion of an LNG carrier into a floating storage unit for Gabon’s emerging offshore gas push, with sail-away planned for Q3 2027. Industrial Policy: Gabon is moving to end raw manganese exports and shift toward local processing to capture more value, build jobs, and attract investment in downstream facilities. Connectivity & Telecoms: Airtel Africa and SpaceX’s Starlink launched Africa’s first commercial direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, enabling compatible smartphones to connect without a dish—an expansion model Airtel says could roll out across more markets. Regional Development: The UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC to accelerate industrialisation by processing minerals and agricultural output into regional value chains. Business & Markets Watch: US stocks fell as chip and tech shares retreated amid pressure from higher bond yields.

Gabon Industrial Policy: Libreville is moving to end raw manganese exports and push deeper local processing, aiming to keep more value in-country through alloys and other processed products. Regional Value Chains: The UN Economic Commission for Africa urged SADC leaders to industrialise by processing minerals and agricultural output, noting Southern Africa’s large critical-mineral reserves but limited jobs from mining. Telecom Connectivity: Airtel Africa and SpaceX’s Starlink launched Africa’s first commercial direct-to-phone satellite service in the DRC, letting compatible smartphones connect without a dish, initially for SMS and light data. Power Trade Projects: Cameroon’s Sonatrel opened twin tenders for 225-kV transmission lines and substations under the Cameroon–Chad power interconnector, targeting electricity exports to Chad. Digital Sovereignty: Namibia is facing growing pressure to build local digital infrastructure as countries like Nigeria push sovereign cloud plans to cut costs and reduce reliance on foreign-hosted systems. Business Leadership: Havas appointed Roxana Ravjee as CEO Africa, expanding day-to-day leadership across its network including Gabon and the DRC.