AGP Executive Report

Ebola Response and Regional Trade Disruption: WHO warns the Congo outbreak could last months, with travel restrictions already threatening mining deal-making and Uganda’s oil start, while Kenya faces protests over a US-funded Ebola isolation ward despite no local cases. Skills for Jobs: MTN Rwanda partners with University of Rwanda and Kepler College to boost graduate employability through internships, mentorship and workplace exposure. Rwanda’s Aviation and Logistics Push: RDB meets Boeing to explore aircraft financing and cargo operations as Rwanda targets a regional air transport and logistics hub. IMF Support for Rwanda’s Growth: Rwanda secures a $250m IMF Extended Credit Facility disbursement as external shocks raise energy and fertilizer costs, even as growth stays strong. Critical Minerals Supply Link: Aterian’s Eastinco signs a long-term sourcing deal with Rwanda’s tin, tantalum and tungsten producer to expand trading volumes. Electric Mobility Investment: Spiro raises $215m equity to scale battery-swapping and EV infrastructure across markets including Rwanda. Trade and Industry Integration: Singapore begins talks for an FTA with the EAC, aiming to improve market access for goods and services. Agribusiness Innovation: Zimbabwe sends a delegation to Rwanda for rabbit artificial insemination training to speed genetic improvement and productivity. Public Health Research: Institut Pasteur launches ACT-CHIK to advance chikungunya vaccine trials and prepare for African manufacturing.

Ebola & Logistics: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is expected to persist for months, keeping travel restrictions in place and disrupting regional supply chains, with the EU pushing for a ceasefire as health access collapses in conflict-hit Ituri. Rwanda Air Connectivity: RwandAir has resumed Dubai and Doha flights after a three-month suspension, helping restart Middle East horticulture exports like avocados and chillies. Electric Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m in equity to expand EVs and battery-swapping stations across African markets including Rwanda, targeting faster rollout and local assembly capacity. EV Power & Policy: The “age of electricity” theme is gaining traction as off-grid solar and grid expansion efforts scale, highlighting the electricity gap still holding back much of sub-Saharan Africa. Rwanda Skills & Jobs: Rwanda’s leadership is doubling down on productivity and skills as the route to higher wages, warning against wage hikes without matching output gains. Aviation Hub Talks: Rwanda Development Board met Boeing to discuss aircraft financing and cargo operations to strengthen Rwanda’s regional aviation and logistics ambitions. Health Tech for Africa: ACT-CHIK is a €15.3m EU-funded project to advance chikungunya vaccine trials in Africa and prepare for regional manufacturing.

Ebola Response & Logistics: The EU says the DRC ceasefire is now a “health emergency” as it airlifts 100 tonnes of supplies to Ituri, while UNICEF scales up more than 100 metric tons of PPE, medicines and WASH materials to help contain the outbreak. Frontline Strain: In Congo’s mining town of Mongbwalu, health workers report little pay and fear as the rare Bundibugyo strain spreads where surveillance and protection are weak. Diagnostics in Focus: With no approved vaccines or targeted treatments for Bundibugyo, outbreak control is hinging on fast, accurate testing, contact tracing and isolation—putting diagnostics at the center of response. Rwanda Skills & Jobs: Rwanda’s leadership is pushing productivity as the driver of higher wages and better jobs, warning against wage hikes without matching output. AI for African Languages: A new report highlights how African developers are increasingly using Chinese open-source AI models to build systems in local languages—faster and cheaper to train. Chikungunya Vaccine Push: A €15.3m EU-funded project led by Institut Pasteur will advance a chikungunya vaccine through large trials in four African countries and prepare local manufacturing. EV & Energy Investment: Spiro’s $215m equity push aims to scale electric mobility and energy infrastructure across Africa, intensifying the region’s e-mobility race. Trade & Infrastructure: Kenya Ports Authority moves ahead with Mombasa port expansion, adding a new berth to handle larger container ships and keep freight flowing.

Kigali Jobs Push: City of Kigali says it wants to create over 50,000 jobs annually, leaning on construction and infrastructure projects like roads, housing and urban upgrading. Fuel Cost Relief: Rwanda raised diesel and petrol maximum retail pump prices effective June 6, with government support meant to cushion consumers and keep public transport affordable. Regional Trade & Logistics: Kenya Ports Authority is expanding the Port of Mombasa with a new Berth 19B to handle larger container vessels and rising cargo volumes. Ebola Meets Conflict Reality: The EU warns a DR Congo ceasefire is now a health emergency as Ebola spreads in Ituri, with humanitarian airlifts and calls for safe access for health workers. Human Capital Focus: Commentaries argue Rwanda and the region must move from plans to execution by investing in skilled workers—engineers, technicians and innovators—to make industrial policy work. Energy & Environment: A study flags charcoal and firewood pressure on forests across countries including Rwanda, linking urban demand to extraction and environmental harm. AI Governance Talk: A pan-African call urges ethical AI leadership as more countries roll out national AI strategies.

Ebola Response & Ceasefire Pressure: The EU says the DRC’s eastern Ebola outbreak has turned a ceasefire into a “health emergency,” flying in 100 tonnes of aid to Ituri as confirmed cases rise to 488 and deaths to 86, with WHO calling it an international health emergency. Rwanda Energy Costs: Rwanda’s fuel regulator (RURA) raised maximum retail pump prices effective June 6—diesel up by Sh64 to about Sh258.8/litre and petrol to about Sh259.7—citing global oil market shocks while noting government cushioning. Transport Affordability: Rwanda also introduced “Nkunganire,” a public transport support subsidy meant to shield passengers and businesses from rising transport costs tied to fuel and import pressures. Regional Trade & Logistics: Kenya Ports Authority is expanding the Port of Mombasa with construction of Berth 19B, adding 240m quay length and a 15m draft to handle larger container vessels and rising cargo demand. Islamic Finance Push: The Rwanda Stock Exchange set Islamic listing and trading rules for Shariah-compliant products like sukuk and Islamic REITs, aiming to attract regional and Gulf capital.

Fuel Pricing in Rwanda: Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) set new maximum retail pump prices effective June 6, with diesel up by Sh64 per litre and petrol also revised, citing global oil market shocks while saying government support is cushioning consumers and stabilising public transport. Ebola Response in the Region: WHO and Africa CDC launched a $518m, six-month Ebola preparedness and response plan for DRC and neighbouring Uganda, focusing on surveillance, testing, contact tracing, border screening and community engagement. Ebola Frontline Strain in Congo: An AP report from Mongbwalu, the outbreak’s mining-area epicentre, highlights health workers facing heavy caseloads with little or no allowances, underscoring the human cost of containment. Rwanda’s Capital Markets: The Rwanda Stock Exchange became the first in East, Central and Southern Africa to create dedicated Islamic listing and trading rules for products like sukuk and Shariah-compliant REITs, aiming to attract regional and Gulf investors. ICT and Exports: Sparc Systems unveiled a roadmap to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, pointing to rising forex inflows and urging faster scaling of local platforms. Engineering Education Links: Afretec (Carnegie Mellon University Africa) signed its 10th university partner, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, expanding pan-African tech collaboration.

Fuel & Transport: Rwanda hikes diesel and petrol maximum retail pump prices effective June 6, citing global oil market shocks and supply conditions, while saying government support cushions consumers and keeps prices below pure market levels. Regional Energy & Mobility Investment: Investors are increasingly backing scalable electric motorcycle platforms across Africa as fuel costs rise and demand grows, with major funding momentum highlighted in the sector. East African Trade & Logistics: Kenya and Uganda railways reaffirm Northern Corridor freight cooperation, aiming to improve cargo-handling efficiency and reduce transit times for perishable goods moving toward landlocked markets like Rwanda. Capital Markets: Rwanda Stock Exchange becomes the first in East, Central and Southern Africa to set dedicated Islamic listing and trading rules, opening Shariah-compliant instruments for regional and Gulf investors. ICT Exports: Sparc Systems unveils a blueprint to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, pointing to rising forex inflows and sector readiness. Public Health: WHO and Africa CDC launch a $518m six-month Ebola preparedness and response plan for DRC and neighboring Uganda, focusing on surveillance, testing, contact tracing, border screening, and community engagement. Industry & Skills: Carnegie Mellon’s Afretec network signs its 10th university partner, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, expanding pan-African engineering and technology collaboration. EAC Tourism Integration: A shift toward dual-country Kenya–Tanzania safari itineraries is boosting cross-border tourism spending and supporting regional conservancies and community programmes.

Rwanda Capital Markets: The Rwanda Stock Exchange has become the first in East, Central and Southern Africa to set dedicated listing and trading rules for Islamic capital market products, paving the way for Sukuk, Shariah-compliant funds and REITs to attract more regional and Gulf investors. Rwanda Tech & Healthcare: Rwanda’s drone delivery model is highlighted again for cutting “last-mile” medical supply times to minutes, showing how aviation is reshaping access to blood, vaccines and medicines in remote areas. East Africa Trade & Logistics: Kenya Railways and Uganda Railways are doubling down on Northern Corridor freight links, aiming to improve Mombasa-to-Malaba cargo flow and protect cold-chain shipments by better SGR/MGR integration. Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC unveiled a $518m six-month plan to contain the DRC outbreak and prepare neighbors, with surveillance, lab testing, contact tracing, border screening and community engagement. Digital Transformation in Rwanda: Huawei and SYBL Rwanda convened a Kigali conference on AI-powered digital banking, stressing that infrastructure comes first before banks scale AI. Regional Finance & Growth: Standard Bank says it wants to become East Africa’s largest bank by 2030, targeting 2 million clients and doubling earnings across its East Africa markets. Industry & Skills: Afretec signed its 10th university partner, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, expanding pan-African engineering and technology collaboration.

Rwanda Stock Exchange: The RSE has become the first exchange in East, Central and Southern Africa to set dedicated listing and trading rules for Islamic capital market products, opening the door for Shariah-compliant sukuk, funds and REITs and aiming to attract Gulf and regional investors. Healthcare & Tech: Rwanda’s medical drone delivery model is highlighted again as a proven “last-mile” fix, cutting supply runs from hours to minutes for remote facilities. Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC rolled out a $518m, six-month plan to contain the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighboring Uganda, with a focus on surveillance, testing, contact tracing, border screening and community engagement. Rwanda Climate Agenda: Rwanda unveiled NDC 3.0, targeting a 53% emissions cut by 2035 and estimating $12bn financing needs to drive low-carbon development. East Africa Trade Push: Multiple reports point to Tanzania’s growing role as a regional logistics gateway, with infrastructure and corridor projects boosting trade links that also matter for Rwanda’s import-export flows. Tech Events: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, leaving telecom and digital finance stakeholders waiting for a new date.

Youth Health Crisis: Leaders and youth at the 9th Pan-African AYSRHR conference in Mombasa warned that institutions across Africa are failing adolescents on SRHR, with the fix hinging on political will and financing. Nuclear & Regulation: Rwanda and Pakistan signed an MoU to deepen nuclear safety and radiation protection cooperation, while broader debate continues on whether small modular reactors can help Africa meet rising power demand. Climate & Industry Planning: Rwanda unveiled NDC 3.0, targeting a 53% emissions cut by 2035 and estimating $12bn needed to drive low-carbon development. EV Infrastructure Investment: Spiro secured $215m equity to scale battery-swapping and EV rollout across multiple countries, including plans for DRC and Ethiopia—pushing cleaner transport and local manufacturing. Tech & Connectivity: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, leaving telecom and digital stakeholders waiting for a new date. Trade & Agriculture: The U.S. delivered wheat to Kenya under the Food for Progress program to support regional milling and livestock feed development. Regional Energy Policy: East African energy regulators heard calls to expand mandates to include mining, aiming to unlock critical minerals for industrialization. Sports Business: Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers won the Basketball Africa League title, with the league moving toward a franchise model.

Climate & Industry: Rwanda unveiled NDC 3.0, targeting a 53% emissions cut by 2035 (up from 38% by 2030) and estimating about $12bn financing needs to drive low-carbon development. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m equity to scale EVs and battery-swapping across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and more, with expansion planned for DRC and Ethiopia. Energy Regulation & Mining: Uganda’s energy regulator push gained momentum as officials urged East African regulators to expand mandates to include mining for critical minerals and industrial value chains. Tech & Telecom: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, leaving exhibitors and partners waiting for a new date and reason for the shift. Nuclear Safety Cooperation: Pakistan and Rwanda signed an MoU to strengthen nuclear safety and radiation protection, focusing on standards and information exchange. Rwanda Business & Tourism: The Lux Collective entered Rwanda via a partnership to launch an ultra-luxury tourism circuit across five resorts, with ESG-led development plans. Sports & Investment: Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers won the Basketball Africa League title, as the league moves toward a franchise model to deepen continental investment. Public Health Watch: WHO says Ebola response in DRC is catching up as confirmed cases rise, with regional spillover concerns for neighbors.

EV & Energy Infrastructure: Spiro secured a landmark $215m equity round to expand its battery-swapping network and EV rollout across Africa, operating already in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon with plans to add DRC and Ethiopia. Regional Trade & Finance: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to unlock trade finance and growth in coffee, leather and creative industries across East Africa, starting with Kenya. Nuclear Safety Cooperation: Rwanda and Pakistan signed an MoU to strengthen nuclear safety and radiation protection regulation, including information exchange and shared standards. Sports & Youth Economy: Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers won the 2026 Basketball Africa League title in Kigali, as the BAL moves toward a franchise model. Ebola Response & Borders: The IOM warned that blanket border closures are worsening Ebola spread by pushing movement into informal routes, as cases rise across DRC and Uganda. Governance & Industry: FEDA appointed Emmanuel Assiak as CEO to scale export finance and investment for Africa’s industrialisation agenda.

EV Infrastructure Investment: Spiro secured $215m equity to scale electric mobility and battery-swapping across seven African markets, with plans to expand into DRC and Ethiopia—an industrial push aimed at cutting fuel imports and building local energy/transport capacity. Rwanda Sports & Youth Economy: Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers won the 2026 Basketball Africa League title in Kigali, capping a record season and adding momentum for investor interest in Africa’s fast-growing sports industry. Regional Trade Friction: A new push for AfCFTA to move from agreements to faster, smoother cross-border trade highlights the real bottlenecks at borders, warehouses and ports—where delays can decide investment flows. Trade Finance for Value Chains: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to unlock trade finance and market access for coffee, leather and creative industries across East Africa, starting with Kenya. Energy Regulation Debate: Uganda’s energy regulator chief urged East African regulators to expand mandates to include mining, arguing critical minerals and energy policy are now tightly linked. Nuclear Safety Cooperation: Pakistan and Rwanda signed an MoU to strengthen nuclear safety and radiation protection through regulatory coordination and standards sharing. Tech Ecosystem Update: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, Africa’s major connectivity event, raising questions for the June tech calendar.

Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured a landmark $215M equity round to expand battery-swapping, manufacturing and EV/energy infrastructure across seven African markets, betting on lower fuel dependence and faster urban transport. Trade & Value Addition Finance: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to unlock trade finance and market access for coffee, leather and creative businesses in East Africa, starting with Kenya through a pilot to Dec 2026. Digital Connectivity Event: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali (June 16–18) with a new date to be announced, raising questions for Rwanda’s tech calendar and investor plans. Regional Governance & Targets: Uganda’s vetted ministers pledged to push government targets, including urging EAC partners to meet financial obligations to keep the bloc running. Visa Processing Restructure: The US plans to cut African visa-processing missions from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, including Kigali, which could reshape travel and business logistics. Ebola Response Politics: A US plan for an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya triggered protests and legal battles, spotlighting health equity and sovereignty concerns. Sports & Kigali Economy: Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers won the 2026 BAL in Kigali, as the league moves toward a franchise model.

Clean Mobility Investment: Kenya-based Spiro secured US$215M in equity to expand battery-swapping, EV and energy infrastructure across multiple African markets, including Rwanda—an industrial push aimed at cutting fuel dependence and scaling local assembly. Trade & Finance for SMEs: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to boost access to finance and trade expertise for coffee, leather and creative businesses across East Africa, starting with Kenya and rolling out from 2027. Regional Transport Upgrade: Kenya’s plan to extend the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway to Malaba gained momentum after AIIB financing for a technical feasibility study—supporting upgrades on the Northern Corridor linking Mombasa to Rwanda and beyond. Rwanda-UK Migration Fallout: An international arbitration panel rejected Rwanda’s claim against the UK over the collapsed Rwanda asylum deal, ending the threat of a £100m+ compensation bill. Ebola Response Tensions: A US plan for an Ebola quarantine and treatment facility in Kenya triggered protests and legal challenges, spotlighting health equity and sovereignty concerns. Cross-Border Humanitarian Shock: Mozambique said five citizens were killed in South Africa amid xenophobic attacks, while police confirmed fewer deaths—fueling repatriation efforts and regional scrutiny. Digital & Rural Agriculture: FAO and Rwanda-linked efforts are intensifying rural agriculture digitalisation to improve productivity and market access.

Air Cargo Costs: East African shippers and exporters in Kenya are pushing back against a proposed 16% VAT on aircraft spare parts in the 2026 Financial Bill, warning it will raise freight rates and hit food security as costs filter down to farmers. Ebola Response in DRC: Africa CDC and DRC officials are under pressure as the Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak grows, with WHO urging stronger community action and travel-ban reconsideration as health systems struggle with sanitation and access gaps. EV & Energy Infrastructure: Rwanda-linked clean mobility firm Spiro secured a $215M equity investment to scale battery-swapping, manufacturing, and electric mobility infrastructure across seven markets and expand further. Electricity Access Tracking: AfDB launched the Mission 300 Progress Tracker, a digital platform showing real-time electricity access progress, active projects, and connections across Africa. Rwanda-France Diplomacy: President Paul Kagame arrived in Paris for the inauguration of “L’Archive,” a permanent memorial for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, marking a major Kigali–Paris reconciliation step. Digital Finance Watch: Commentary highlights China’s digital yuan push as a potential alternative financial infrastructure for Africa, beyond SWIFT and dollar dominance.