AGP Executive Report

Solar for classrooms: Epson is exploring partnerships with renewable-energy firms to bring solar-powered printing and projection to rural Kenyan schools, using a Senegal-style model where devices run on solar and batteries to handle unreliable electricity. AI governance in Francophone Africa: La Francophonie launched its first Digital Governance Forum in Geneva, arguing that Francophone countries need AI rules built around language and digital sovereignty, after several states including Senegal adopted a shared governance framework. Data sovereignty for credit and AI: An African Young Women Leaders fellow says better national data systems can lower credit risk and improve AI-supported economic analysis, warning that delayed or foreign-calibrated data can misprice African risk. Power sector deal: ePointZero agreed to buy 90% of Azura Power, controlling 752MW of operating generation across Nigeria, Senegal, and Mozambique, pending regulatory approvals. Senegal in regional science: Experts say Africa must own genomic data and train AI on locally generated datasets to improve public health and disease surveillance. Health research collaboration: Brazil-led international work with Senegal and others is studying hepatitis B (including HBV/HIV co-infection) to find immune and cellular targets for better treatments. Maritime security shock: Multiple reports say tankers including the Liberia-flagged Senegal Prosperity were hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed US-Iran tensions, raising shipping safety concerns. Senegal youth sports: FBNBank Senegal became the first official bank partner of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, backing youth inclusion through sport.

Senegal–China Trade: Former economy minister Oulimata Sarr says China’s zero-tariff push could boost Senegal’s exports, but SMEs must solve financing, food-safety testing, registration and trademark rules before scaling. Public Health & AI: An infectious-disease expert argues Africa must own and train AI tools on locally generated genomic data to improve surveillance and antimicrobial resistance predictions. Fact-checking & Misinformation: A viral Facebook claim about Senegalese forces taking Gambian land is being challenged, with verification efforts highlighting how old footage can be repackaged as new. Youth & Sports Tech Ecosystem: FBNBank Senegal becomes the first Official Bank Partner of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, backing youth development through First@sports. Local Pharma Manufacturing: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma expands production of Drepaf (hydroxyurea) for sickle cell disease, targeting six African markets to cut reliance on imported medicines. Regional Science Collaboration: A Brazil-led hepatitis B research consortium includes Senegal and aims to track 600 patients over years to understand immune responses and disease progression. Digital Commerce Reality Check: UNCTAD notes pan-African e-commerce still hinges on payments, logistics, customs, data and trust—not just getting businesses online.

Senegal Health Tech: Teranga Pharma is expanding Senegal’s locally made sickle cell treatment, Drepaf (hydroxyurea), aiming to cut reliance on imported medicines and target six African markets as production scales. Regional Science & Health Capacity: Guinea-Bissau’s National Public Health Laboratory received €1.51m in lab equipment from WAHO to strengthen PCR and immunology testing and improve disease detection and surveillance. Water & Engineering: Acwa and Veolia signed an MoU to optimize seawater desalination across the full value chain, focusing on energy efficiency, chemical dosing, and real-time monitoring to lower costs and environmental impact. Digital Work & Inclusion: Yango Group expanded Great Place to Work certification from nine to 17 countries, including Senegal, based on employee feedback across 938 staff. Sahel Security Tech Angle: Niger’s junta survived a mutiny after Russian Africa Corps support, highlighting how external security capacity can rapidly shift outcomes in the region. Research Collaboration: A Brazil-led international hepatitis B study will track 600 patients (including Senegal researchers) for 4.5 years to study viral behavior and immune responses across countries. Youth & Finance: FBNBank Senegal became the first Official Bank Partner of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, backing youth development through sport.

Senegal Health Tech: Teranga Pharma is expanding its locally made sickle cell generic Drepaf (hydroxyurea), a $7.1m project aimed at six African markets—pushing back against the continent’s heavy reliance on imported medicines. AI Access: Google is extending its free Google AI Plus student offer to 27 African countries, including Senegal, with Gemini tools and cloud storage for eligible students. Digital Trade: A new look at African e-commerce says cross-border growth is still blocked by payments, logistics, customs, data, and trust—not just getting businesses online. Regional Tourism Governance: ECOWAS adopted a framework to strengthen and accredit tourism business associations across West Africa, aiming for better transparency and regional integration. Public-Private Partnerships: A policy explainer warns PPPs only work with clear duties, competitive tenders, and strong contract management—otherwise costs and liabilities fall on citizens. Public Health Capacity: Guinea-Bissau received €1.5m in lab equipment to boost disease detection and surveillance at its national public health laboratory. Energy & Industry (Senegal): Wärtsilä won a power order for a 14MW captive plant for Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project, supporting reliable off-grid power and future renewables integration.

Digital Skills & AI Access: Google expanded its free one-year Google AI Plus offer to students across 27 African countries, including Senegal, with Gemini tools and 400GB cloud storage after verification. Public Health Lab Boost: Guinea-Bissau received €1.5m in lab equipment from WAHO to strengthen PCR and immunological testing at its national public health laboratory, improving disease detection and surveillance. Women-Led Agribusiness Support: UNDP began verifying women-led SMEs in Sierra Leone’s post-rice production under the EWASME project, aiming to improve access to finance, markets, skills and business opportunities. Energy Transition (People First): A new Africa energy debate highlights a key gap: not just building solar and other systems, but training and retaining local teams to run, regulate and maintain them. Solar Growth Watch: Analysis says Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with mini-grids seen as crucial for rural access in Francophone West Africa including Senegal. Senegal Power for Mining: Wärtsilä will supply five 32-engine sets for a 14MW captive power plant for Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project in Senegal, supporting reliable off-grid operations and future renewables integration. Sickle Cell (Senegal-Made): Multiple reports point to Senegal’s locally produced sickle cell treatment gaining traction, aiming to raise access and cut costs.

AI for students: Google expands its free Google AI Plus offer to students in 27 African countries, including Senegal, with Gemini access plus cloud storage and higher usage limits. Mining power for Senegal: Wärtsilä is set to supply five Wärtsilä 32 engines for a 14MW captive power plant for Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project in Senegal—aimed at reliable off-grid power and future renewables integration. Energy access debate: A new Africa energy transition discussion at AFREIKH in Accra says the missing ingredient isn’t more solar or megawatts—it’s the people and institutions to run and maintain systems long after commissioning. Solar momentum: Analysis projects record solar installations across Africa in 2026, with mini-grids highlighted as key for rural electrification in places including Senegal. Health research (Senegal angle): Multiple studies focus on haemophilia and congenital heart screening needs across Africa, underscoring ongoing gaps in diagnosis and treatment access. Digital agriculture: Nigeria’s UfarmX reports $6.8m in agricultural commerce facilitated across Nigeria, Senegal and Liberia, using blockchain-backed credit scoring and market access. Local environment: Senegal-linked restoration news highlights tree-seedling support for degraded habitats, including Oba Hills park restoration efforts.

AI in Education: Google expands its free Google AI Plus subscription for students to 27 African countries, including Senegal, with Gemini tools and cloud storage after status verification. Energy & Power for Mining: Wärtsilä will supply five 14MW-class power engines for Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project in Senegal, with delivery in 2027 to support reliable off-grid operations and future renewables. Solar Growth: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with mini-grids highlighted as key for rural electrification in countries including Senegal. Digital Rights: Access Now marks a decade of internet shutdown advocacy with “Sound of the Silenced,” spotlighting how disruptions isolate communities and endanger lives. Women’s Enterprise Support: UNDP begins verifying women-led SMEs in Sierra Leone’s post-rice value chain under the EWASME project, funded by IsDB and implemented across Guinea, Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Water Resilience Partnerships: Abu Dhabi pushes international cooperation on water and energy resilience ahead of the UN Water Conference, focusing on infrastructure, regulation and technology. Senegal Youth Sports: Dakar will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, framed as a historic first for the Olympic movement on the African continent. Agritech Finance: UfarmX reports $6.8m in agricultural commerce facilitated across Nigeria, Senegal and Liberia using blockchain-enabled credit scoring, with Kenya expansion planned.

Digital Rights: Access Now marked the 10th anniversary of its #KeepItOn push with “Sound of the Silenced,” sharing firsthand accounts of how internet shutdowns isolate communities and endanger lives. Energy Access & Skills: A new analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, while another debate at AFREIKH stressed the missing piece: who will actually run the energy transition. Senegal Mining Power: Wärtsilä will supply five 14MW captive-power engines for Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project in Senegal, with delivery set for 2027 and a renewables-ready microgrid plan. Public Health (Senegal): Teranga Pharma has started producing Drepaf, a locally made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell care—an important step toward lower costs and earlier treatment. Research Capacity: The Royal Veterinary College launched a Global Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, expanding international, One Health-focused work on neglected diseases. Agri-Tech (West Africa): UfarmX says it has enabled $6.8m in agricultural commerce across Nigeria, Senegal and Liberia using blockchain-backed credit and market access.

Mining Power in Senegal: Wärtsilä will supply five Wärtsilä 32 engines for a 14MW captive power plant at Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project in Kédougou, with delivery set for March 2027 and operations expected by end-2027—aimed at keeping a remote, off-grid mine running reliably while leaving room to add renewables later. Solar Push Across West Africa: New analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026 (+45% year-on-year), while IRENA highlights solar mini-grids as key for climate adaptation and rural electrification in Francophone West Africa, including Senegal. Agri-Tech Finance: Nigeria’s UfarmX says it has enabled $6.8m in agricultural commerce across Nigeria, Senegal and Liberia using blockchain-backed credit scoring and retailer-led lending, with Kenya expansion planned. Health Research Boost: The Royal Veterinary College launched a Global Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, expanding international, One Health-focused work on neglected tropical and zoonotic diseases. Youth & Sports in Dakar: Senegal will host the 2026 Youth Olympic Games (Oct 31–Nov 13), with the “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates” theme spotlighting the continent’s first Olympic event on African soil. Local Pharma Milestone: Senegalese firm Teranga Pharma began producing Drepaf, a locally made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease—positioned as a major step for access and cost.

Sickle Cell Breakthrough (Senegal): Teranga Pharma has started producing Drepaf, a locally made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease—an Africa-first move that could cut costs and improve access to the WHO-recommended treatment. Mining Power (Senegal): Wärtsilä will supply five engines for a 14 MW captive power plant at Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project, aiming to keep a remote mine running reliably while leaving room to add renewables later. Energy Planning (Senegal): Senegal is advancing data-driven energy planning to expand electricity access, signaling a push toward better grid decisions as demand grows. Digital & AI Policy (Africa): A report on internet freedom and AI adoption highlights uneven ICT development across African countries, with implications for how AI is deployed in governance, healthcare, and media. Investment & Startups (Pan-Africa): The EBRD is putting $8m into Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II, targeting early-stage tech firms with focus including Senegal. Climate & Land (Great Green Wall): AfDB backs scaling the Great Green Wall at COP17, pushing faster land restoration and climate resilience. Youth & Skills (Africa): Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni are turning English and leadership training into global opportunities after intensive online and in-person immersion. Environment (Nigeria): FRIN provided 5,000 indigenous seedlings to restore Oba Hills National Park, part of a wider habitat recovery effort. Global Tech Debate: Publishers are urging AI firms to share revenue as AI search and summaries reduce clicks to original journalism.

Sickle Cell Care in Senegal: Teranga Pharma has started producing Drepaf, a locally made generic hydroxyurea, a major step for treating sickle cell disease with more affordable access across Africa. Mining Power for Senegal: Wärtsilä will supply five Wärtsilä 32 engines for a 14MW captive power plant at Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud gold project, with plans to later integrate renewables. Energy Planning Upgrade: Senegal is strengthening data-driven electricity planning to expand access, supported by IRENA and partners, with new solar PV and battery projects feeding the pre-2030 pipeline. AI and Media Economics: AI firms are being urged to share revenue with publishers as AI search and summaries reduce website traffic—an issue for African digital news sustainability too. Venture Capital for Senegal: EBRD is investing $8m in Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II, targeting early-stage tech companies including Senegal to boost innovation and jobs. Drug Trade Shift in West Africa: Reports suggest more elderly couriers are showing up in West African drug trafficking, including cases involving Senegal.

Sickle Cell Breakthrough (Senegal): Teranga Pharma says it has produced the first Africa-made generic hydroxyurea, aiming to cut costs and improve access for the millions affected across West Africa. Energy Access (Senegal): Senegal is strengthening data-driven energy planning to expand electricity access, using long-term demand projections and rural electrification scenarios supported by IRENA and partners. AI Cooperation (WAICO): Senegal is among 29 countries signing an agreement in Shanghai under WAICO, as China pushes “open-source” AI cooperation and warns against politicising AI security. Venture Capital (Pan-Africa): EBRD invests $8m in Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II, targeting early-stage tech firms including Senegal to boost innovation and jobs. Malaria at Work (West Africa): A survey finds 62% of West African workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, including in Senegal, calling for stronger employer action. Health Regulation (Mozambique): Mozambique’s medicines regulator reaches WHO ML3, joining Senegal and other regional peers in building stronger systems. Space Ambitions (Africa): A new push estimates $800m+ for African space projects in 2026, with satellites increasingly used for practical monitoring and services.

Senegal Energy Planning: Senegal is upgrading its data-driven electricity planning to expand access, supported by IRENA and partners, with demand projections, grid expansion models and rural electrification scenarios feeding new wind/solar additions. Sickle Cell Breakthrough: A Senegalese lab is producing generic hydroxyurea for the first time in Africa, aiming to cut costs and reduce dependence on imported medicines. Health at Work: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, urging employers to treat prevention as part of health and risk management. Space for Development: Africa’s space push is accelerating, with nearly 20 countries having satellites and plans to spend over $800m on space projects in 2026, including Senegal’s SENSAT plans. Pan-African Tech Funding: The EBRD is investing $8m in Ventures Platform Pan-African Fund II, targeting early-stage tech across markets including Senegal. Medicines Regulation: Mozambique’s regulator reaches WHO ML3, joining Senegal and other African countries with stronger systems for quality and safety of medicines and vaccines. Zero-Tariff Exports to China: Senegalese firms say zero-tariff access helps, but financing orders and meeting testing/standards remain key hurdles.

Health Innovation: Senegalese researchers are producing generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell for the first time in Africa, aiming to cut costs and reduce dependence on expensive imported treatment. Workplace Health: A West Africa survey by CAMA finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, with Senegal included among the 10 countries studied. Space for Development: Africa is accelerating its space push, with nearly 20 countries having satellites and spending expected to top $800m in 2026; Senegal is highlighted for its SENSAT programme and plans for more satellites. Trade & Industry: Senegal is looking to expand processed exports to China under a zero-tariff policy, but firms say they need financing, standards guidance, and lab testing capacity. Water Tech & Policy: The UAE and Senegal are co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, with “The Oasis” registration now open for practical solutions on water and sanitation. Regional Science & Regulation: Mozambique’s medicines regulator reached WHO ML3, joining Senegal and other African countries strengthening vaccine and medicine oversight.

Space & Tech Policy: Africa is ramping up its own space capabilities fast, with nearly 20 countries having satellites in orbit and spending expected to top $800m on space initiatives in 2026, as Senegal pushes its SENSAT programme for environmental monitoring, agriculture and territorial management. Health & Workplace Safety: A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries finds 62% of workers get no workplace malaria prevention support, with Senegal included—highlighting a gap between awareness and employer action. Trade & Standards for Senegalese exporters: Senegal is looking to sell more processed goods to China under a zero-tariff policy, but firms say they need financing, clear food-safety standards, testing capacity and trademark protection to scale. Regulation & Medicines: Mozambique earns WHO ML3 status for regulating medicines and imported vaccines, joining Senegal and other regional peers—an upgrade aimed at improving quality, safety and faster response to falsified products. Water Tech & Partnerships: The UAE and Senegal are co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, with registration open for “The Oasis,” a non-accredited zone focused on practical water solutions and investment-ready ideas.

Solar for agriculture: Zimbabwe is set to sign the Africa Solar Facility and adopt the “Zimbabwe Declaration” at the 8th International Solar Alliance Regional Africa Committee meeting in Victoria Falls, with solar framed as a climate-smart way to power farming. Senegal in the water spotlight: The UAE has opened registration for “The Oasis” ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (co-hosted with Senegal), pitching practical solutions, exhibitions and partnerships to accelerate SDG 6. Space capability building: A new look at Africa’s space push says nearly 20 countries now have satellites in orbit, with Senegal working on a second satellite and aiming for a multi-satellite constellation for agriculture and environmental monitoring. Fertiliser security warning: A report argues Africa needs stronger, locally scaled fertiliser systems—organic inputs, biostimulants and greener pathways—because global fertiliser shocks keep turning conflicts into food-price crises. Health research: A small clinical trial suggests “poop pills” fecal transplant therapy may improve peanut allergy tolerance months later, pointing to microbiome-based treatment potential. Senegal heritage: In Saint-Louis, AFP reports traces of the transatlantic slave trade are fading as a preserved slave depot building deteriorates. Cyber training: Nigeria and the UK deepen cybersecurity cooperation to build local capacity against AI-driven threats and financial cybercrime.