AGP Executive Report

India–Africa Defence Push: A new push for practical India–Africa defence cooperation is being framed around the Red Sea–Western Indian Ocean corridor, where chokepoint insecurity and maritime crime can quickly spill into global trade and energy flows. Djibouti Logistics Stakes: Djibouti is also moving fast on the ground: Salaam Group’s Fuelstor has started building a $160m fuel and logistics terminal in Damerjog, designed to store and redistribute fuel, LPG and edible oil for East Africa and the Horn. Health Partnership: Gilead has renewed its WHO partnership for five more years to accelerate elimination of kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis), including major medicine donations and added support for high-burden countries with a sharper East Africa focus that explicitly includes Djibouti. Red Sea Rivalry: Coverage continues to underline how ports, bases and trade routes are becoming the main battleground for U.S., China, Gulf states and non-state actors around the Red Sea. Climate Pressure: The Greater Horn’s June–September outlook warns of below-normal rainfall across parts of Djibouti and neighbors, raising food and water risks.

Red Sea Power Struggle: Ports and trade corridors around the Red Sea are being reshaped by a messy mix of Gulf influence, global powers, and non-state actors—keeping Djibouti’s strategic position in the spotlight as instability threatens shipping and energy flows. Health Partnerships: Gilead renewed a five-year deal with the WHO to accelerate elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), pledging 400,000+ vials of AmBisome plus $9.2m through 2030, with a strong East Africa focus that explicitly includes Djibouti. Regional Climate Pressure: IGAD’s climate forum warns northern Greater Horn countries—including Djibouti—could face below-normal June–September rains, raising food and water risks. East Africa Energy Buildout: A Salaam Group-linked company has started work on a $160m fuel and logistics terminal in Damerjog, aiming to store and redistribute fuel, LPG, and edible oil across the Horn. Governance & Trade: Kenya’s court lifted a block on a U.S. health cooperation deal worth $1.6b, while Egypt moves to streamline business licensing and capital rules to level the playing field for investors.

Health Diplomacy: Gilead renewed a five-year WHO partnership to speed access to kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis) care, pledging $9.2m and donating 400,000+ vials of AmBisome, with expanded focus across East Africa including Djibouti. Climate Risk: IGAD’s GHACOF warns June–September rains will likely be below normal across much of the northern Greater Horn—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and parts of Kenya—raising food and water stress. Regional Security & Governance: Kenya’s Court of Appeal lifted a block on a $1.6b Kenya–US medical cooperation deal, even as concerns remain over data protection and constitutional compliance; meanwhile, MSF says South Sudan is blocking humanitarian access to opposition areas. Energy & Trade: Djibouti has started building a $160m Fuelstor fuel and logistics terminal in Damerjog, aiming to store and redistribute fuel, LPG and edible oil for inland East Africa. Biodiversity & Public Health: A WHO-led study says climate disruption is increasing human contact with venomous snakes, boosting bite risk.

Fuel & Logistics Build-Out: Salaam Group-backed Fuelstor has started construction of a $160m fuel and logistics terminal in Djibouti’s Damerjog, with DJF 30bn invested on 22 hectares and a planned 400,000 metric tons storage capacity—aimed at importing, storing, and redistributing fuel, LPG, and edible oil across East Africa and the Horn. Regional Trade Pressure: The move lands as shipping and energy routes face wider strain, keeping Djibouti’s Red Sea corridor central to supply reliability. Business Rules Overhaul: Egypt is cutting capital-increase timelines and consolidating licensing to level the playing field for local and foreign investors. Security Posture: Saudi Arabia reiterated it will take “all measures” to protect national security and people, while also highlighting readiness for the 2026 Hajj season. Digital Identity Push: ID4Africa 2026 in Abidjan spotlighted decentralized digital ID models and public-private partnerships.

Belt and Road Momentum: China-backed infrastructure continues to translate into real-world connectivity, with new road openings like Serbia’s E-763 segment expanding access to major cities and boosting regional trade links. Business Climate Overhaul: Egypt is speeding up capital increases and consolidating licensing to make it easier for both local and foreign investors to operate. Regional Security Posture: Saudi Arabia reiterated it will take “all measures” to protect national security and people, while also highlighting readiness work for the 2026 Hajj season. Horn of Africa Flashpoints: Somaliland’s growing ties—after Israel’s recognition—keep colliding with Somalia and the AU’s rejection, as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden security struggle tightens around Djibouti and Ethiopia’s trade routes. Djibouti Energy Build: Construction has started on a $160m Fuelstor fuel terminal, aiming to strengthen regional fuel supply as EAC refinery plans move forward. Maritime Risk: Families of seafarers held by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean are protesting again in Karachi, as ransom demands reportedly rise.

Belt and Road Momentum: New infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative is still rolling out fast, with fresh highway openings abroad aimed at cutting travel times and boosting trade links. Business Climate Overhaul: Egypt is moving to speed up capital increases and unify licensing so local and foreign firms face the same rules. Regional Security Signal: Saudi Arabia reiterated it will take “all measures” to protect national security and people, while also highlighting preparations for the 2026 Hajj. Horn of Africa Watch: Djibouti’s Fuelstor fuel terminal has started construction (a Sh20.7bn project), as East African states weigh a wider refinery push. Shipping Under Pressure: Families of Pakistani seafarers held by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden are protesting in Karachi, as reports say pirate demands are rising. Green Energy Push: Ethiopia is advancing large-scale renewables-to-hydrogen plans after securing major investment licensing. Digital Identity Debate: At ID4Africa, vendors are urging decentralized digital ID models backed by public-private partnerships.

Business Reform Push (Egypt): Egypt says it will cut the time for capital increases and unify licensing so local and foreign investors face the same rules, linking regulators, registries and clearing houses and moving toward one central licensing system. Horn of Africa Security: Fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile is intensifying as SAF seeks to retake Kurmuk, while EU/UN updates track wider regional instability. Djibouti Energy Build: Djibouti has started construction of the $160m Fuelstor multi-product fuel terminal in Damerjog, aiming to boost storage and trading for East Africa amid shipping and oil-price shocks. Somali Piracy Pressure: Families in Karachi are protesting the continued captivity of Pakistani seafarers after a tanker was seized off Puntland, with reports of rising pirate demands. Africa Tech & Identity: ID4Africa discussions are pushing decentralized digital ID models via public-private partnerships. France’s Africa Pivot: Coverage around Macron’s Nairobi summit keeps spotlighting France’s attempt to reset ties as its influence shrinks in parts of West Africa.

Horn of Africa Diplomacy: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is still reverberating, with Somalia and the African Union rejecting the move while reports say Israel is seeking a military base in Berbera—pulling the breakaway territory deeper into Red Sea security calculations. Sudan Flashpoints: In Blue Nile, fighting is intensifying as SAF pushes to retake Kurmuk and reports of shifting control and harsh conditions for detainees keep the crisis front and center. Djibouti Energy Moves: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel hub in Damerjog, aiming to boost regional fuel storage and trading as East Africa weighs refinery plans. Maritime Pressure: Families of Pakistani seafarers held by Somali pirates staged protests in Karachi, while reports suggest pirate demands are rising. Defense Readiness: France says it’s lifting frigate availability to 80% by improving maintenance and using dual crews. Digital Identity Push: At ID4Africa, tech vendors urged decentralized digital ID models and PPP approaches.

Horn of Africa Flash: Fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile State is intensifying as SAF pushes to retake Kurmuk and reports the recapture of Khor Hassan, while protests in Abri erupt over power outages and blocked freight. Regional Security: In Djibouti, U.S. Air Force leaders visited Camp Lemonnier-linked operations in Kenya’s Manda Bay, stressing Kenya–U.S. cooperation and personnel-driven strategic partnerships. Maritime Pressure: Italy has sent mine countermeasures vessels toward the Middle East to help reopen Hormuz navigation once a truce is in place, as shipping risk and insurance costs keep rising. Djibouti Energy Push: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel hub in Damerjog, aiming to build a 400,000-ton storage and trading logistics platform for East Africa. Ethiopia Tech & Industry: Ming Yang secured a license for an 8.4GW green hydrogen push, while Ethiopia’s potato sector draws investment in seed and cold storage to cut yield gaps and spoilage. Narrative War: A fresh Counterpunch exchange rehashes anti-China “green imperialism” claims—prompting a rebuttal that frames it as part of a wider New Cold War push.

Hormuz Mine-Counter Moves: Italy has sent two mine-countermeasures vessels out of Augusta, Sicily, to join an international push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for navigation—Italy says it will only commit fully once a stable truce is in place and Parliament approves. Djibouti Energy Push: In East Africa, Djibouti has started building the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel terminal in the Damerjog corridor, aiming for 400,000 tonnes of storage and a logistics-and-trading role as regional fuel supply stays jittery. Somali Piracy Pressure: Families of Pakistani seafarers held since April 21 by Somali pirates protested in Karachi, saying demands are rising and captors have threatened crews with worsening conditions. India–China Maritime Stakes: The Great Nicobar Project is framed as India’s strategic necessity amid China’s maritime footprint. Africa Connectivity: A new high-capacity Atlantic subsea cable plan, “Via Africa,” is moving into its first development phase to boost resilience across West Africa.

France’s Sahel retreat: France’s long “Françafrique” grip is unraveling fast, with withdrawals from Senegal and earlier exits from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Ivory Coast—while Russia moves into the vacuum, though the story is messier than a simple win. Horn of Africa diplomacy: Israel’s deputy ambassador says Somaliland recognition is now tied to deeper security, energy and tech cooperation, pulling the breakaway region further into regional tensions. Djibouti energy push: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel hub in Damerjog, aiming to turn storage into a wider logistics and trading gateway as Middle East shipping shocks raise fuel risks. Maritime pressure: Families of Pakistani seafarers held by Somali pirates protest in Karachi, while reports say pirate demands for fuel tankers are rising. Africa connectivity: A new Atlantic subsea cable plan (“Via Africa”) targets more resilient Europe-to-Africa bandwidth diversity across West Africa. Green growth in Ethiopia: Ming Yang secured a license for 8.4 GW renewables tied to green hydrogen/ammonia plans.

Djibouti Energy Push: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel terminal in the Damerjog corridor, aiming for about 400,000 metric tonnes of storage and a bigger role as a regional redistribution hub for petroleum products, LPG and even edible oils—at a time when Middle East shipping shocks are keeping fuel prices and logistics costs volatile. Somali Piracy Pressure: In Karachi, families of Pakistani crew held by Somali pirates for weeks staged protests, describing worsening conditions and rising ransom demands, as hijackings and maritime risk climb again around the Gulf of Aden. Horn of Africa Trade & Diplomacy: Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is deepening a security-and-infrastructure partnership, pulling the breakaway territory further into regional power shifts that also affect Djibouti’s wider maritime neighborhood. Africa Connectivity: A new high-capacity Atlantic subsea cable plan, Via Africa, is moving into its early development phase to improve resilience and bandwidth diversity across West Africa. Ethiopia Renewables: Ming Yang secured a license for a major green hydrogen push in Ethiopia, signaling fresh momentum for clean-fuel exports.

Horn of Africa Diplomacy: Israel’s deputy envoy says Somaliland recognition is now tied to deeper security and infrastructure cooperation—another sign the Gulf of Aden corridor is becoming a chessboard. Red Sea Pressure: New transit rules and ongoing militant activity are still rerouting shipping and driving up insurance costs, hitting the Addis–Djibouti trade lifeline that carries most of Ethiopia’s imports and exports. Djibouti Energy Push: Djibouti has started building the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel hub in Damerjog, aiming to store and redistribute petroleum products and other commodities for East Africa as regional fuel supply shocks worsen. Somali Piracy Fallout: Families in Karachi are again protesting for the release of Pakistani seamen held since an April tanker seizure, as reported pirate demands reportedly climb. Africa Connectivity: A new Atlantic subsea cable plan, Via Africa, is moving into early development to boost resilient Europe–West Africa–South Africa digital links. Ethiopia Investment: Ming Yang secured a license for a large green hydrogen and ammonia project, adding to Ethiopia’s renewables-to-exports momentum.

Somaliland–Israel Ties: Israel’s first ambassador to Somaliland says cooperation is deepening fast across security, energy, infrastructure, and tech—after Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland in December, pulling the breakaway region further into regional tensions. Connectivity Push: A new high-capacity Atlantic subsea cable plan (“Via Africa”) is moving into early development, aiming to boost resilience and bandwidth diversity along West Africa’s coast. Djibouti Energy Build: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor multi-product fuel terminal in Damerjog, positioning the country as a regional fuel logistics hub as East Africa weighs refinery plans. Ethiopia Food Investment: Ethiopia’s potato sector is drawing money for better seed and cold storage to close a big yield gap and cut post-harvest losses. Piracy Pressure: Families of Pakistani seafarers held by Somali pirates protested in Karachi, demanding urgent action as ransom demands reportedly rise. Green Hydrogen Leap: Ming Yang secured a license for an 8.4GW renewables-to-green-hydrogen project in Ethiopia, signaling a push toward export-ready clean fuels.

EU-UN Pressure on Regional Peace: In the latest EEPA update, the US pushed South Sudan to restore the 2018 peace deal, imposed visa limits on officials accused of corruption and conflict-fueling displacement, and warned accountability will continue as Vice President Riek Machar remains detained. ICC Process in Focus: The UN and AU are also convening peace efforts in Addis Ababa while the ICC weighs whether a Sudan case should proceed to trial. Djibouti Energy Push: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor fuel hub in Damerjog, aiming to boost regional fuel security and trading logistics as East Africa debates refinery plans. Ethiopia Renewables-to-Hydrogen: Ming Yang secured an investment license for an 8.4GW wind/solar-to-green hydrogen and ammonia project, signaling export ambitions. Somali Piracy Fallout: Families in Karachi are again protesting for the release of Pakistani seafarers held off Somalia, as demands reportedly rise.

Green Hydrogen Push: Ming Yang Smart Energy Group secured an Ethiopian investment license for a roughly $14.1bn renewables-to-hydrogen plan—8.4GW of wind and solar plus hydrogen and ammonia production—aimed at energy security and export-ready clean fuel infrastructure. Piracy Pressure on Families: In Karachi, relatives of Pakistani crew held by Somali pirates for about 23 days staged protests, describing worsening conditions and renewed ransom demands, as ships remain too risky to storm. Djibouti Fuel Hub: Djibouti has started construction of the Sh20.7bn Fuelstor multi-product terminal in Damerjog, positioning the country as a regional fuel storage and trading gateway while East Africa weighs refinery plans. Africa Forward Summit: Leaders in Nairobi are tackling finance reform, peace and security funding, and AI as the summit enters a high-stakes second day. ID4Africa Digital ID: Tech vendors are urging PPP-backed, decentralized digital ID models focused on inclusion and trust.