AGP Executive Report

AI for everyday browsing: Google is rolling out Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, expanding built-in AI help for search and understanding across dozens of African locales, including Djibouti. Undersea connectivity boost: The EU pledged €37m to extend the Google-backed Blue-Raman subsea cable into East Africa, linking Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania to cut bandwidth costs and improve resilience. Digital economy funding: Kenya also secured €102m under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership for connectivity, digital innovation and data governance, as it pushes to become a regional tech hub. Climate watch: NOAA says El Niño is back, but impacts will vary—scientists warn drought, floods and heatwaves could shift across regions. Regional security signals: EEPA reports flights suspended in Tigray amid escalating tensions, while drones and strikes continue to feature in Ethiopia and Sudan updates. Energy and labor pressure: Kuwait restricts domestic worker recruitment to 10 approved countries, affecting many Kenyan workers. Maritime geopolitics: A new analysis highlights how Russia’s shadow fleet uses identity and registry laundering to keep sanctioned ships operating, with West Africa as a key rear base.

AI in Browsers: Google’s Ask Gemini in Chrome is rolling out to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in help for searching and understanding information to a wider African audience. Subsea Connectivity: The EU pledged €37m to extend the Google-backed Blue-Raman cable into East Africa, linking Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania to cut bandwidth costs and boost resilience. Digital Economy Funding: Kenya also secured €102m under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership (plus broader €139m digital commitments), targeting connectivity, digital innovation and jobs. Local Manufacturing Push: In Brussels, President William Ruto urged Belgian investors to “make it in Kenya” by processing minerals locally with clean power, tying the pitch to EU carbon rules and duty-free access. Maritime Sanctions Evasion: A new report highlights Russia’s shadow fleet using identity fraud and registry laundering to keep sanctioned ships operating, with West Africa emerging as a key rear base. Regional Tech-Culture Exchange: Tunisia and Djibouti are running a peer-to-peer training visit on digital transformation in the cultural sector.

Subsea Connectivity Boost: The EU pledged €37 million to extend the Google-backed Blue-Raman cable into East Africa, linking Djibouti with Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania to cut bandwidth costs and strengthen regional resilience. Digital Economy Funding: The same Brussels push secured €102 million under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership, with money aimed at connectivity, digital innovation and services trade. Data Governance Push: Kenya’s talks also covered the EU-Kenya Digital Dialogue and a data adequacy process, signaling a bid to deepen cross-border digital business. Labour Policy Shock (Gulf): Kuwait issued a circular limiting domestic worker recruitment to 10 approved countries and banning 27 others, including Kenya—raising new risks for East African labour migration. Maritime Security & Sanctions Evasion: A new report highlights Russia’s “shadow fleet” tactics in West Africa, showing how ship identity and registry fraud help sanctioned vessels keep operating. Geopolitics at the Strait: Commentary flags how tensions around Bab al-Mandab could threaten one of the world’s key chokepoints between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with knock-on effects for global supply chains.

Subsea Connectivity Boost: The EU has committed €37 million to extend the Google-backed Blue-Raman cable into East Africa, linking Djibouti with Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania to cut bandwidth costs and improve resilience across a Europe–Middle East–India digital corridor. Digital Economy Funding: Kenya’s Brussels talks also secured €102 million under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership, plus a wider €139 million digital package aimed at connectivity, digital innovation, and jobs. Data & Policy Push: Officials highlighted progress on EU-Kenya cooperation, including a data adequacy track that could shape how data services and cross-border digital trade expand. Labour Mobility Shock: Kuwait has restricted domestic worker recruitment to only 10 approved countries and banned 27 others, including Kenya—an immediate hit for Kenyan workers who rely on Gulf household jobs. Maritime Security Angle: A new report on Russia’s shadow fleet shows how sanction evasion relies on identity and registry laundering, with West Africa emerging as a key operational rear base.

Undersea Connectivity Boost: Kenya secured €102m (Sh15.37bn) from the EU to speed up digital transformation, plus €37m (Sh5.58bn) to extend the Blue-Raman submarine cable—linking Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania to cut bandwidth costs and strengthen the region’s digital hub ambitions. Local Industry Push: In Brussels, President William Ruto urged Belgian firms to “Make it in Kenya” by investing in value addition and manufacturing using clean geothermal power, tying the pitch to EU carbon rules and duty-free access under the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement. Maritime Security & Sanctions Evasion: A new look at Russia’s shadow fleet shows how identity fraud—name and flag laundering, shell ownership and registry gaps—lets sanctioned tankers keep trading, with West Africa emerging as a key rear base. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor Reality: A corridor-focused report highlights how Djibouti’s port economy is tightly linked to Ethiopian transit—around 76% of Djibouti’s GDP tied to port activity and roughly a quarter of national income from Ethiopian cargo fees. Weather Watch: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is likely to develop (80% chance) and may bring hotter conditions and shifting rainfall patterns across Africa, especially eastern and southern regions.

EU Digital Push for Kenya: President William Ruto secured €102m (Sh15.37bn) under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership to expand connectivity, digital innovation, and jobs, plus €37m (Sh5.58bn) to extend the Blue Raman submarine cable linking Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania—aimed at lowering bandwidth costs and boosting regional connectivity. Value Addition Call: In Brussels, Ruto urged Belgian investors to stop exporting raw materials and instead build local manufacturing and mineral processing in Kenya using clean geothermal power, aligning with Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and EU-Kenya trade access. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor Reality: A new look at the corridor stresses how Djibouti’s port economy is tightly tied to Ethiopian transit—port activity is a major share of Djibouti’s GDP, with most Ethiopian trade routed through Djibouti. Undersea Security Focus: A report on undersea infrastructure defense highlights growing interest in protecting cables and seabed systems, with regional implications for East Africa’s connectivity routes. Weather Watch: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to develop (80% chance) and could bring hotter conditions and shifting rainfall patterns across eastern and southern Africa.

Red Sea Security & Trade Routes: With Iran and Israel signaling an off-ramp after renewed strikes, attention is also shifting to the Bab al-Mandab corridor—Djibouti’s maritime chokepoint—where any disruption could quickly ripple into global shipping and energy prices. Digital Infrastructure for the Horn: Kenya secured €102m (about Ksh15.3bn) under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership, plus Sh5.5bn for the African extension of the Blue Raman submarine cable—planned to link Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania—aiming to cut connectivity costs and boost regional digital services. Djibouti in Africa’s Growth Forecasts: IMF projections put Djibouti among the continent’s faster-growing economies, with 6.0% growth expected in 2026, tied to its strategic shipping role. Energy & Climate Watch: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to develop (80% chance) and could bring hotter conditions and rainfall shifts affecting eastern and southern Africa. Regional Tech & Policy Signals: A new scholarship call—the Helmut Schmidt Programme—targets future public policy and governance leaders from developing countries, including many Arab states.

Energy Security: Deadly protests over high fuel prices in Kenya, Comoros and Mozambique underline how fast oil shocks spread when East Africa imports nearly all refined petroleum—oil reserves are running low, and unrest could flare again. Clean Energy & Skills: Kenya’s geothermal push gets a boost as the 2029 World Geothermal Congress is set for Nairobi, spotlighting Olkaria’s leadership in Africa’s clean power race. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor: Djibouti’s port economy is tightly tied to Ethiopia’s trade—corridor cargo drives most port activity and a large share of Djibouti’s income, making corridor reliability a shared tech-and-logistics priority. Digital Infrastructure: China’s “Digital Silk Road” is expanding fiber, data centers and satellite links across Africa, with Djibouti highlighted as part of a growing digital backbone. Regional Stability: As peace missions shrink, Eastern Africa still supplies a big share of troop-contributing countries, keeping the region central to global peacekeeping. Horn of Africa Politics: Ethiopia’s 7th general election is framed as a major democratic test, with reports of delays, security incidents and restrictions on press coverage. Climate Watch: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to develop June–August 2026, with higher temperatures and shifting rainfall risks for eastern and southern Africa. Scholarships: Applications open for the Helmut Schmidt Programme in Germany, supporting master’s study in public policy and governance for future leaders from eligible developing countries.

Ethiopia’s 7th General Election: Ethiopia wrapped up its 7th General Election with officials reporting a peaceful, orderly process, after deploying about 350,000 election staff across more than 50,000 polling stations—an event seen as a major test of democratic stability and regional influence. AU Under Pressure: The African Union Commission says budget gaps are forcing it to run on just 30% of needed staffing and about 25% of its global budget, with 2027 flagged as an austerity year. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor: A new look at the corridor frames it as a shared economic system: Djibouti’s port activity is heavily tied to Ethiopian transit, making smooth logistics a direct driver of jobs, revenue, and growth. Digital Silk Road: China’s Belt and Road digital push is highlighted as fiber, data centers, and satellite links that aim to build Africa’s “digital backbone,” with Djibouti repeatedly cited as part of the route. El Niño Watch: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is likely to develop this June–August, raising the odds of hotter conditions and shifting rainfall—especially relevant for eastern and southern Africa. Energy & Industry: Ethiopia’s gas ambitions in the Somali region (Ogaden) are tied to long-running exploration and a renewed push around Calub and Hilala fields.

Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor: Djibouti’s economy stays tightly linked to Ethiopian trade, with port activity driving most of its GDP and Ethiopian transit generating major annual revenues—so any disruption hits both sides fast. Digital Silk Road: China’s Belt and Road push is shifting from cables and data centers to a continent-wide “digital backbone,” with Djibouti highlighted as a coastal node in Africa’s connectivity push. AU Austerity: The African Union Commission says budget gaps force it to run with far less than needed staffing, and calls 2027 an austerity budget—an issue for regional science, skills, and health programs. Ethiopia Election Tech & Security: Ethiopia’s 7th general election faces operational friction, including online registration problems and polling closures over security concerns, while rights groups warn of tighter press freedom. El Niño Watch: The WMO says El Niño is likely to develop June–August 2026, raising heat and shifting rainfall patterns, with eastern and southern Africa most affected. Regional Geopolitics at the Red Sea: With Bab al-Mandab and the Horn of Africa in focus, analysts warn that any move to block this chokepoint could jolt global supply chains and energy prices. Djibouti in Growth Rankings: IMF projections put Djibouti among Africa’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by its strategic shipping position.

IMF Growth Outlook: IMF projections put African growth in 2026 between 5.9% and 9.2%, with Djibouti expected to grow 6.0%—a reminder that the country’s shipping and trade links remain a key economic engine. Horn of Africa Energy Ambitions: A new natural gas push in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region centers on the Calub and Hilala fields, with Chinese-backed concessions dating back to 2013 and a long history of earlier exploration finally turning into investment momentum. Djibouti-Ethiopia Corridor: A closer look at the corridor shows how tightly Djibouti’s port economy is tied to Ethiopian transit—port activity is estimated at about 76% of Djibouti’s GDP, with Ethiopian cargo generating major annual revenues. Digital Silk Road: China’s Belt and Road “Digital Silk Road” is highlighted as a fast-moving push for fiber, data centers, and satellite links across Africa, including Djibouti, framed as practical deployment rather than heavy governance conditions. AU Austerity Pressure: The African Union says budget deficits are forcing it to run with under 30% of needed staffing and plans an austerity 2027 budget, as supply-chain and health shocks continue to strain capacity. El Niño Watch: The WMO warns El Niño is likely to develop this year, raising the odds of hotter conditions and shifting rainfall patterns across eastern and southern Africa.

Natural Gas Push in Ethiopia’s Ogaden: A new wave of investment is reviving century-old hopes for Calub and Hilala gas fields, with a major project positioned to reshape the Somali Regional State’s economy. AU Under Strain: The African Union Commission says it’s operating at about 30% of needed staffing and flags an austerity 2027 budget amid supply-chain shocks, conflicts, and health emergencies. Djibouti–Ethiopia Corridor: Djibouti’s port economy is tightly tied to Ethiopian transit—port activity is estimated at roughly 76% of GDP, with Ethiopian cargo generating major annual revenues—making corridor performance a shared tech-and-logistics priority. Digital Silk Road: China’s Belt and Road push is expanding fiber, data centers, and satellite links across Africa, with Djibouti highlighted as part of a broader digital backbone effort. Education Gains in Egypt: Attendance jumped to 87% after reforms boosted teaching capacity, reduced class sizes, and improved literacy through language and curriculum changes. Horn of Africa Flashpoints: Ethiopia’s election process faces security incidents and reported killings, while regional tensions keep attention on the Horn’s political stability. Rwanda’s Nuclear Ambitions: Rwanda signs a Russia-backed nuclear cooperation deal aimed at nuclear medicine, training, and early work toward research reactor and science-tech facilities.

Digital Infrastructure: China’s “Digital Silk Road” is moving beyond ports and rail into fiber-optic cables, data centers, and satellite links—linking Djibouti’s coast to Africa’s mining and fintech hubs. Education Tech & Outcomes: Egypt reports a jump in school attendance to 87% (from 15%), alongside smaller classes and literacy gains tied to curriculum and assessment reforms. Climate Watch: The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is likely to develop (80% chance) and could persist into late 2026, with rainfall impacts expected for eastern and southern Africa. Horn of Africa Security & Governance: Ethiopia’s election process is underway amid polling disruptions and reported violence, while regional situation reports track instability across the Horn. Energy Policy & Power Access: Ethiopia’s draft energy policy targets full cost recovery by 2028 and shifts subsidies toward vulnerable households. Health Risk: A WHO-led study warns snakebite risk may rise as warming pushes venomous snakes into closer contact with people.

Education Reform in Egypt: Egypt’s school reforms are showing up in the numbers: attendance jumped to 87% from 15%, with UNICEF-linked data shared by Education Minister Mohamed Abdel-Latif during talks with the World Bank’s regional director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti. The ministry says teaching capacity rose by 33%, class sizes fell to under 50, and literacy improved through a national Arabic programme. Horn of Africa Politics: Ethiopia’s 7th general election is underway, with voting extended in some areas due to queues and security incidents reported in Oromia and Amhara; election operations also faced delays tied to online registration issues. Regional Security & Trade Routes: With Iran-U.S. talks stalled, attention is turning to the Persian Gulf and the Bab al-Mandab corridor, a key Red Sea route for global shipping that runs between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, including Djibouti and Eritrea. Climate Watch: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is developing, with an 80% chance between June and August 2026 and likely impacts on rainfall patterns across eastern and southern Africa.

Horn of Africa Election Turmoil: Ethiopia’s 7th general election saw voting extended in some areas, but security incidents in Oromia and Amhara led to 143 polling stations closing early; reports also say at least 37 Orthodox Christians were killed in Arsi zone on 1 June, with hundreds of homes burned. Geothermal Energy Spotlight: Kenya’s geothermal push is getting global attention as the country prepares to host the 2029 World Geothermal Congress in Nairobi, reinforcing its lead in Africa’s installed capacity. Digital Access & Governance Metrics: Nigeria’s Lagos topped the 2025 State Performance Index, scoring strongly on revenue generation and internet penetration—an example of how tech access and fiscal capacity move together. Climate Watch for Africa: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is developing with an 80% chance between June and August 2026, with likely rainfall impacts for eastern and southern Africa. Regional Health Security: IGAD launched the $31.9m PREPARE project to strengthen cross-border pandemic readiness across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, using a One Health approach. AI in Ethiopia’s Education: Ethiopia plans an AI university starting in 2027, aiming to build local AI skills under its “Digital Ethiopia” agenda. Nuclear Science Ambitions in Rwanda: Rwanda signed a nuclear cooperation deal with Russia covering nuclear medicine and training, with feasibility work underway for a research reactor and a nuclear science center. Energy & Industry Growth: Nigeria’s Dangote refinery hit full capacity and is set to expand further, positioning it as a major exporter of jet fuel and diesel.

Sub-national Tech & Governance: Lagos State topped Nigeria’s 2025 State Performance Index, ranking first overall and leading on internally generated revenue, with strong scores in internet penetration and digital access—an example of how data-driven governance can translate into measurable economic performance. Public Health & Climate Risk: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is likely to develop (80% chance) and may persist into late 2026, with knock-on effects for heat and rainfall patterns across Africa—raising stakes for planning in water, agriculture, and disaster response. Regional Health Systems: IGAD launched the $31.9m PREPARE project to strengthen pandemic preparedness across Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, focusing on cross-border early warning, lab capacity, and trained health workforces under a One Health approach. AI for Development: Ethiopia is moving toward an AI university, aiming to open in 2027 and support its Digital Ethiopia agenda—positioning AI education as a new growth and skills pipeline. Energy Policy: Ethiopia approved a draft energy policy targeting full cost recovery for state power utilities by 2028, with tariff reforms and a shift toward targeted support for vulnerable households.