AGP Executive Report

Air Cargo & Trade: RwandAir and Nigeria’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment launched and expanded the Nigeria–East and Southern Africa Air Cargo Corridor, giving Nigerian exporters direct access to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare, with improved links to Nairobi and Johannesburg; Nigeria says freight rates have fallen to under $2/kg and export volumes rose 40% in the first year. Electric Mobility: As fuel costs bite across Africa amid the Iran War, demand for electric motorbikes is rising fast, with Spiro expanding battery-swapping infrastructure and securing another $55m equity investment from Chinese fund NewTrails Capital. Cold Chain for Farmers: Solar-powered cold rooms are helping farmers cut postharvest losses and boost earnings, with rental models spreading across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa. Mining & Exports: Trinity Metals says exports from its Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine now supply up to 20% of US monthly tungsten concentrate demand. Skills & Jobs: AmaliTech signed new university partnerships (University of Ghana and Valley View University) to strengthen tech career pipelines through mentorship, internships and recruitment. Rwanda Growth & Governance: Rwanda’s economy is reported to have grown 10% in Q1 2026 amid strong industrial activity, while the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda continues building sector-level structures ahead of local elections.

Rwanda–Energy & Industry: Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has appointed Eng. Maximilien Byilingiro as CEO, pledging faster household electricity connections and better service reliability as the country targets universal access by 2029. AfCFTA & Logistics: RwandaAir has begun its first cargo operations from Nigeria to East and Southern Africa, with Nigeria and Rwanda positioning the route to deepen intra-African trade under AfCFTA. Mining & Exports: Trinity Metals says exports from its Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine now make up to 20% of US monthly primary tungsten concentrate consumption. Agri Cold Chain: Solar-powered cold rooms are helping farmers across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa cut postharvest losses and boost earnings through pay-per-use storage. Jobs & Skills: Rwanda’s jobs push is being framed around learners, not just certificate holders, as young people enter work and learn on the job. Policy & Governance: The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda continues rolling out sector-level structures in Burera, while RICH mobilised faith communities in Gisagara for malaria elimination.

Tungsten Trade: Trinity Metals says exports from its Nyakabingo mine now make up to 20% of the US’s monthly primary tungsten concentrate demand, underlining Rwanda’s growing role in critical minerals supply chains. Cold-Chain for Farmers: Across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa, farmers are renting solar-powered cold rooms to cut postharvest losses and boost earnings, with some models reporting spoilage dropping from around 50% to under 2%. Climate-Health Funding: Grand Challenges Canada and the Science for Africa Foundation launched Nexa, a new initiative aiming to mobilize over US$50m for locally led climate and health innovations, with a first funding call opening June 22. Rwanda Energy Push: Rwanda Energy Group’s new CEO pledged to accelerate household electricity connections and improve reliability as the country targets universal access by 2029. Malaria Mobilisation: In Gisagara, the Rwanda Interfaith Council on Health rallied communities for “Zero Malaria Starts With Me,” promoting nets, early treatment and community case management. Regional Logistics & Air Cargo: Nigeria flagged off RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa corridor, with rates positioned to help exporters move goods faster and cheaper. Agriculture Policy: An EALA lawmaker renewed calls for stronger farmer seed rights and food-system protections across East Africa.

Rwanda–Regional Trade & Logistics: RwandaAir flagged off its first dedicated Nigeria–East/Southern Africa cargo flight, with Nigeria’s FMITI saying eligible exporters can get RwandAir cargo rates below $2/kg under AfCFTA Certificates of Origin—adding routes to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare and extra carrier options via Nairobi and Johannesburg. Energy & Cooling for Agriculture: A solar-powered cold-storage pay-per-use model in Kenya is helping smallholders cut post-harvest losses (up to 40% across Africa), with the approach spreading to Rwanda and other markets. Ebola Response Pressure: DRC’s Ebola outbreak is outpacing containment, with Africa CDC and WHO warning of gaps in surveillance, contact tracing and lab testing as cases rise and communities resist. Fluorinated Gas Compliance: Rwanda’s climate ministry is launching a lifecycle technology project to curb fluorinated refrigerant emissions ahead of stricter international rules. Jobs & Skills: Rwanda’s jobs push is shifting from certificates to real learning and workplace exposure, as new entrants discover career growth depends on adaptability and communication. Farmer Seed Rights: An EALA lawmaker renewed calls for stronger regional laws protecting farmers’ seed rights and food systems.

Air Cargo & Trade: Nigeria flagged off RwandaAir’s first dedicated cargo flight on the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa corridor, with an expanded corridor now offering routes to Kigali, Lusaka and Harare plus added carrier options to Nairobi and Johannesburg, and cargo rates set below $2/kg for eligible exporters under AfCFTA. Energy Access: Rwanda’s new REG CEO Maximilien Byilingiro pledged to accelerate universal electricity access by 2029 and improve reliability, as the country pushes grid connections. Agribusiness & Livelihoods: In Gakenke, pineapple farming is boosting household incomes and assets, though farmers still struggle with low-price sales to brokers. Regional Power & Decarbonisation: The World Bank approved a $1.6bn Eastern Africa programme to integrate power markets, strengthen grids and expand access, feeding into Mission 300. Health & Transport Risk: With Ebola in eastern DRC and Uganda, long-distance truck drivers in the region are adopting new hygiene and border screening practices to slow spread. Business Environment: A commentary warns that sudden regulatory changes can be more damaging than tax hikes because they break planning assumptions.

Rwanda Energy: Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has a new CEO, Eng. Maximilien Byilingiro, pledging faster progress toward universal electricity access by 2029 and improved reliability for households. Trade & Logistics: Nigeria and RwandAir have expanded the Nigeria–East/Southern Africa air cargo corridor under AfCFTA, with freight rates on RwandAir routes set below $2/kg for eligible exporters—adding Kigali, Lusaka and Harare while boosting options via Nairobi and Johannesburg. Agriculture Training: The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is being pushed to become a regional Centre of Excellence, with plans to attract students across East Africa and strengthen conservation agriculture skills. Power Infrastructure: The World Bank approved a $1.6bn programme to integrate Eastern Africa power markets, support cross-border transmission and expand access—linked to Mission 300 electrification goals. Connectivity: Seacom launched a high-capacity Nairobi–Kampala route to scale inland connectivity between Kenya and Uganda, supporting telecoms, finance and digital commerce. Health & Transport: With Ebola concerns rising in the region, truck drivers and border crossings in East Africa are adopting practical health protocols to keep cargo moving safely.

Ebola Watch: WHO says the DR Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak has surpassed 837 confirmed and probable cases with no approved vaccine, pushing responders to rely on contact tracing and isolation. Cross-Border Logistics: As cargo keeps moving, long-distance truck drivers in East Africa are adopting new health protocols at hubs and border crossings to slow transmission. Trade & Air Freight: Nigeria and RwandAir expand an AfCFTA air cargo corridor, adding Kigali, Lusaka and Harare routes and cutting eligible freight rates to below $2/kg to make exports cheaper. Energy Investment: Rwanda is seeking $1bn in private investment for new power generation as the World Bank backs Eastern Africa grid integration with a $1.6bn programme. Connectivity Boost: Seacom launches a high-capacity Nairobi–Kampala terrestrial route, scaling capacity up to 30Tbps to support cloud, finance and digital commerce. Business & Industry: Rwanda’s 29th International Trade Fair will run 22 days with 500+ exhibitors, aiming to help manufacturers and service firms reach regional markets. Policy & Resilience: Rwanda’s central bank highlights resilience as a structural economic goal amid overlapping shocks like inflation and climate risk.

Trade & Industry: Rwanda’s Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF) is set to run 22 days in Kigali, with organizers targeting 500+ exhibitors as the expo expands from a marketplace into a bigger platform for networking, investment and regional sales. Regional Logistics: Central Corridor states are pushing for more inland container depots and rail upgrades, pointing to congestion at Dar es Salaam as a key cost driver and urging faster cargo movement into Rwanda and neighbors. Connectivity & Telecoms: Seacom launched a high-capacity Nairobi–Kampala terrestrial network, starting at 1Tbps and designed to scale to 30Tbps, to support cloud, finance, AI and cross-border commerce. Energy & Power: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, accelerating on-grid and off-grid access. Mining & Supply Chains: Rwanda-based Trinity Metals says exports from its Nyakabingo tungsten mine now supply up to 20% of US primary tungsten concentrate needs, citing growing defence and industrial demand. Diplomacy & Mobility: South Africa and Rwanda agreed to normalize ties and ease travel rules, including progress toward lifting restrictions on ordinary Rwandan passports. Nuclear Safety: WINS signed MoUs with Rwanda’s Atomic Energy Board to build capacity and improve protection of radioactive materials, as Rwanda eyes small modular reactors in the 2030s.

Rwanda–South Africa Reset: South Africa and Rwanda agreed to normalise relations, with progress toward lifting visa and travel frictions so Rwandans can enter without special passports—an immediate boost for trade, tourism, and cross-border mobility. Rwanda’s Growth Signal: Rwanda’s economy grew 10% in Q1 2026, with services leading (52% of GDP) and manufacturing and exports cited as key drivers, while officials flagged slower food-crop performance. Mining for Defence Supply Chains: Rwanda-based Trinity Metals says exports from its Nyakabingo tungsten mine now supply up to 20% of US primary tungsten concentrate consumption, positioning Rwanda as a strategic partner amid tungsten supply and industrial/defence demand. Regional Logistics Push: Central Corridor states called for more inland container depots and rail upgrades, pointing to congestion at Dar es Salaam and the need for faster, cheaper cargo movement—good news for logistics and regional trade. Electrification Milestone: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, accelerating energy access. Food Security via Farming Models: Coverage highlights how refugees are shifting from aid to self-reliance through market-oriented farming and savings groups, reinforcing agriculture and resilience themes. Construction Supply Chain Expansion: Lingyin Construction Materials says it expanded its manufacturing and logistics network for windows, doors, and cabinetry to serve Africa’s building sector—supporting construction inputs and industrial supply.

Electrification Push: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected over 50 million people to electricity across 40 countries, accelerating access by nearly double the early pace through generation-to-last-mile investment. Rwanda Economy Watch: Rwanda’s GDP grew 10% in Q1 2026, with services leading (52%) and industry rebounding (24%), while officials flag slower food crop growth. Regional Mobility & Trade: South Africa moves to reset strained ties with Rwanda by progressing visa normalisation and easing travel restrictions, including steps to lift bans on Rwandan ordinary passports. Construction & Logistics: Rwanda-linked supply chain and infrastructure interest continues as firms expand for African construction, while Kenya’s JKIA airport expansion deal highlights how major projects reshape regional aviation and trade. Food Systems Upgrade: Solar-powered cold storage is helping farmers cut post-harvest losses using pay-per-use models, easing reliance on unreliable grids. Health Security: FDA orphan drug designation for galidesivir in Marburg post-exposure prophylaxis signals continued investment in outbreak-ready therapeutics. Ebola Screening at Borders: Travel into Uganda is seeing stricter health checks and QR-based screening amid the DRC Ebola outbreak, underscoring how quickly health risks reshape logistics.

Rwanda’s Growth Pulse: Rwanda’s economy grew 10% in Q1 2026, with industry up 13% (mining +20%, manufacturing +15%, construction +11%) and services up 7%, while agriculture rose 8%—a sign of continued structural shift toward industry. Power for Business: World Bank and AfDB’s Mission 300 says it has connected 50m+ people to electricity across 40 African countries, nearly doubling the rollout pace, with 7.5m in Tanzania and 4.6m in Ethiopia benefiting from reforms and financing. Cold Chain for Farmers: Solar-powered cold storage is spreading across East Africa, helping farmers cut post-harvest losses and sell better—Kenya’s pay-per-use model is boosting incomes while reducing reliance on unreliable grids. Construction & Logistics Push: Lingyin Construction Materials says it’s expanding its export supply chain for African construction, scaling production of windows, doors and cabinetry with integrated logistics. Regional Infrastructure Watch: Uganda’s SGR project faces uncertainty after a top military figure claimed Turkey’s contractor deal was cancelled, with no official ministry confirmation yet. Aviation Deal Signals Investment: Wicknell Chivayo’s IMC Construction Kenya is part of a consortium for Kenya’s $2.9bn JKIA expansion, targeting major capacity growth. Clean Cooking Move: TotalEnergies committed Sh1bn annually to LPG clean cooking in Kenya, aiming to expand cylinder supply while tackling illegal refilling.

Rwanda Economic Pulse: Rwanda’s economy grew 10% in Q1 2026 to Rwf 6.3 trillion, with industry up 13% (mining +20%, manufacturing +15%, construction +11%) and services up 7%, showing a continued shift toward industrial activity. Power for Growth: World Bank and AfDB say Mission 300 has connected 50m+ people to electricity across 40 countries, with progress accelerating as projects cover generation, transmission and last-mile distribution. Clean Cooking Push: TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya plans to inject Sh1bn annually into LPG clean cooking, targeting 180,000 cylinders per year and calling out illegal cylinder refilling as a key barrier to adoption. Cold Chain for Farmers: Solar-powered cold storage is helping farmers cut spoilage and reach better markets, with Kenya’s pay-per-use model highlighted as a way to reduce losses and improve incomes. Aviation & Trade Links: Kenya awarded a Sh375.4bn contract to expand and modernise JKIA, aiming to protect its role as East Africa’s aviation hub. Regional Integration Talk: Nigeria reiterated support for the Single African Air Transport Market and AfCFTA, stressing better air connectivity for moving people and goods. Tea Trade Watch: Rwanda tea led at Mombasa auctions while Kenya faces rising unsold volumes tied to new export levies.

Rwanda Economy Watch: Rwanda’s GDP grew 10% in Q1 2026 to Rwf 6.3tn, with industry up 13% (mining +20%, manufacturing +15%, construction +11%) and services up 7% as trade, transport, finance and telecoms expand. Agri & Exports: Export performance rose 39%, led by coffee (+86%), while tea dipped 3%, and wholesale/retail and transport both grew 11%—a sign of stronger market activity. Water & Infrastructure: Despite higher water and sanitation budgets (Rwf 138bn for 2026/27), parliamentary visits show communities still face shortages from ageing pipelines, weak storage and irregular supply. Tech & Cyber: CYBERTEQ won the SME100® Award Singapore 2026, while Photon AI announced a $124m Series A to build vertically integrated AI infrastructure across Africa. Regional Trade: Rwanda tea led at the Mombasa auction (US$2.81/kg), widening the price gap as Kenya’s new export levy weighs on volumes. Governance & Risk: KCB fired 60 staff over insider fraud and account manipulation, highlighting internal control pressure across East African banking. Global Supply Chains: Global Witness alleges conflict coltan smuggled from eastern DRC entered global supply chains via Rwanda.

Safety & Accountability: Mozambique journalist Arlindo Chissale vanished after reporting on Cabo Delgado insurgency, alleged abuses and corruption—witnesses say an unmarked vehicle stopped his bus, beat him and forced him away. Cold Chain for Farmers: Solar-powered cold storage is helping East African growers cut post-harvest losses and sell to Europe, with pay-per-use models spreading across Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and beyond. Rwanda Aviation & Tourism: RwandAir won “Best Cabin Service in Africa” at the 2026 APEX Awards, while Rwanda’s gorilla tourism demand is rising but access stays capped to protect the species. AI & Industry Infrastructure: Photon AI raised $124M to build vertically integrated AI infrastructure across Africa, aiming to make models work better for African languages and local pricing. Finance & Capital Markets: United Capital secured investment banking licences in Ethiopia and Rwanda, expanding pan-African advisory and brokerage services. Women in Finance: Rwanda leads globally on women’s top roles in financial services, though leaders warn the pipeline remains fragile. Health & Data Sovereignty: Human Rights Watch renewed scrutiny of US-Africa health agreements, flagging concerns over data-sharing and pathogen access. Agri-Business in Rwanda: Youth-led fodder production in Kayonza is turning feed into jobs and higher milk output, supported by Rwanda’s dairy development programs.

IMF Watch: IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire but warned energy supply recovery will take time, with global growth still at risk as infrastructure damage feeds uncertainty. Rwanda Business & Finance: United Capital PLC secured investment banking licences in Ethiopia and Rwanda, aiming to expand advisory, brokerage and portfolio services across East Africa. Rwanda Health & Industry: Bio Usawa appointed Dr. Aida Habtezion to its board as it pushes for biomanufacturing capacity in Africa. Local Agriculture Jobs: In Kayonza, youth-led PYAM turned fodder production into a Rwf16m business, supporting dairy farmers and creating hundreds of jobs. Rwanda Tourism Demand: Rwanda’s gorilla tourism remains capped and permit-controlled, but interest is rising fast—driving earlier bookings rather than unlimited visitor growth. Policy & Implementation Gap: Africa’s leaders urged faster execution of development plans to close the jobs gap, warning that ideas alone won’t create employment. Energy Transition & Gender: Advocates say Africa’s energy transition must center women’s needs to avoid deepening inequality. Patent & Access: PATAM and TWN filed a third-party observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead HIV patent application across ARIPO contracting states.

Implementation Gap: Africa’s leaders and ECA’s Clever Gatete are pushing for faster execution of existing development plans to unlock jobs, warning that ideas alone aren’t creating enough work for a youth-heavy continent. Health Data Sovereignty: Human Rights Watch renews scrutiny of US-Africa health deals, saying agreements tied to assistance may demand broad access to surveillance data and biological samples without strong privacy and transparency safeguards—Rwanda is among the countries named. Tourism & Conservation: Rwanda’s gorilla tourism is seeing a surge in interest after Netflix’s “A Gorilla Story,” but the capped permit system is shaping demand through earlier bookings rather than unlimited growth. Finance & Capital Markets: United Capital secures investment banking licences in Ethiopia and Rwanda, expanding pan-African capital market services and deepening regional investment options. AI Governance: Rwanda approves a National Artificial Intelligence Agency to oversee AI deployment, ethics, skills, research and partnerships, upgrading the country’s AI policy architecture. Digital Infrastructure: African governments are urged to fund digital infrastructure locally, with proposals for a shared financing push to reduce dependence and boost data centre capacity. Ecosystem Restoration: Pilot projects across Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda show nature-based restoration can improve livelihoods and resilience when communities get resources and institutional backing. Regulatory Predictability: A new focus on “regulatory whiplash” highlights how shifting rules can hurt business planning more than even high tax rates.