AGP Executive Report

UN LDC Pushback: Nepal has asked the UN to delay its Least Developed Country graduation until 2030, warning that losing LDC trade benefits could hit growth and preparedness. AU Peace Track: Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta joined African leaders in Gabon for an AU retreat focused on ceasefires, national dialogue and reconciliation. EU Fisheries Renewed: The European Parliament approved renewed EU fisheries deals with São Tomé and Príncipe (and the Cook Islands), keeping European tuna and longliner access in exchange for payments aimed at supporting local marine management. Oil & Gas Frontier: São Tomé and Príncipe launched a fast-moving licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June. AfCFTA Reality Check: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says only four African countries—Mali, Niger, Rwanda and São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, limiting intra-Africa mobility and trade. Debt Pressure: Zimbabwe was flagged among Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, with the same report also listing São Tomé and Príncipe in the wider distressed group.

AU Peace Diplomacy: Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta joined African leaders in Libreville, Gabon, for the African Union’s two-day retreat on conflict prevention, ceasefires, national dialogue and reconciliation—pushing for stronger African-led mediation frameworks. São Tomé & Príncipe Fisheries: The European Parliament approved renewed EU fisheries deals with São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping European tuna and longliner vessels operating in the Gulf of Guinea in exchange for payments aimed at supporting local marine management. Oil & Gas Push: São Tomé & Príncipe launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June and stakes up to 85% offered to industry. Regional Mobility Watch: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report highlights how slow ratification of the AU free movement protocol still limits travel within Africa—São Tomé and Príncipe is among the few countries that have ratified. Sports/Global Deals: The IOC also signed a sub-Saharan Africa broadcast-rights deal for the 2028-32 Olympics cycle, starting with the Dakar Youth Olympics.

Fisheries Deal: The European Parliament has approved renewed EU fisheries protocols with São Tomé and Príncipe, letting Spanish, French and Portuguese tuna and longline vessels keep operating in the Gulf of Guinea until 2032, with EU payments tied to sustainable local marine management. Olympics Media Rights: The IOC has signed a sub-Saharan Africa broadcast deal with Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) for free-to-air coverage of Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032 and the French Alps 2030, starting with the Dakar Youth Olympics in late 2026. Energy Push: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in blocks 7, 8 and 9, with bids due by 30 June. Regional Integration Watch: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report flags that only four countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, limiting intra-Africa mobility and trade. Digital Finance Signal: The Neves Licensing Authority says digital finance and cross-border fintech are driving demand for updated licensing frameworks.

EU Fisheries Renewal: The European Parliament has approved renewed EU fisheries deals with the Cook Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping Spanish, French and Portuguese tuna and longliner vessels operating—through December 2032 for the Cook Islands—in return for annual payments aimed at supporting sustainable local marine management. Local Budget Watch: In a separate development, São Tomé and Príncipe-linked regional reporting highlights how governments are balancing revenue and services—while one city budget (Panaji) says there will be no house tax hike and sets aside about Rs 25 crore for development works. Olympics Media Deal: The IOC also moved to lock in free-to-air coverage across sub-Saharan Africa for the 2028 and 2032 Games via a deal with MMS, starting with the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. Regional Integration Pressure: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report flags that only four African countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, warning that slow political action is holding back intra-Africa trade and mobility. Energy Focus: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June.

Olympics Broadcast Deal: The IOC has signed a new free-to-air rights agreement for the 2028-32 cycle in sub-Saharan Africa, with Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) set to distribute coverage across 44 countries for Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032, plus the French Alps 2030 Winter Games—starting with the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. Oil & Gas Push: Sao Tome and Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in blocks 7, 8 and 9, with bids due by 30 June. Regional Mobility Gap: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says AfCFTA gains are being held back by slow free-movement action—only Mali, Niger, Rwanda and Sao Tome and Principe have ratified the AU 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol. Digital Finance Focus: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for updated licensing frameworks for fintech and cross-border digital finance.

Olympics Broadcast Deal: The IOC has signed a new sub-Saharan Africa broadcast-rights agreement with Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) for the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Summer Games, plus the 2030 French Alps Winter Games, with free-to-air coverage across 44 countries starting with the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics. Oil & Gas Watch: Sao Tome and Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands (Blocks 7, 8 and 9), offering up to 85% stakes to firms, with bids due by 30 June. Trade & Mobility: A Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says intra-Africa commerce could hit 53% if AfCFTA is fully implemented, but progress is held back by slow ratification of the AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol—Sao Tome and Príncipe is one of only four countries that have ratified it. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks for digital finance and cross-border fintech.

Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tome and Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% (with 15% reserved for the state) and a June 30 bid deadline plus a $25,000 payment—an effort to draw backers after mixed recent drilling, including Shell’s late-2025 dry hole. Regional Mobility Push: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says AfCFTA could lift intra-African trade to 53%, but progress is being held back by slow political action on free movement—only Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Príncipe have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks for cross-border fintech, online brokerage, and payment tech as digital finance models outgrow older rules. Debt Pressure in the Region: Zimbabwe was flagged among Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, with the same report grouping Sao Tome and Príncipe alongside countries facing severe fiscal instability and currency shortages.

Oil & Licensing: Sao Tome and Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in blocks 7, 8 and 9 (with 15% reserved for the state) and asking bids by 30 June with a $25,000 submission payment—an area already drawing major players like Shell, TotalEnergies, Petrobras, Galp and Kosmos. Regional Mobility Push: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says Africa’s integration is being held back by slow action on free movement—only four countries have ratified the AU 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol, including Sao Tome and Principe—while the study estimates AfCFTA could lift intra-African commerce to 53% if mobility barriers fall. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks for digital finance and cross-border fintech, as remote onboarding, cloud systems and connected payments outgrow older rules. Business & Culture: A Scottish chocolatier’s big award win highlights the use of single-origin cocoa from Sao Tome, while wider coverage also points to Africa’s growing role in global trade and contemporary art.

International Awards: Highland Chocolatier Iain Burnett just swept four prizes at the International Chocolate Awards in Bordeaux, including gold for its ginger velvet truffle and special recognition for the “naked” truffle—using single-origin São Tomé cocoa and fresh Scottish cream. AfCFTA Momentum vs Reality: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says intra-Africa trade could jump to 53% if the AfCFTA is fully implemented, but progress is being held back by mobility barriers. Free Movement Protocol Gap: Only four countries have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol—Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe—leaving most Africans facing visa hurdles and costly travel. Oil & Gas Watch: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June. Digital Finance Policy: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks as fintech and cross-border services expand across jurisdictions.

Free Movement Protocol Stalls: The Mo Ibrahim Foundation says Africa’s integration push is stuck: only four of 55 countries have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol, leaving most Africans facing visa hurdles and costly, slow travel that undercuts trade and growth. Sao Tomé and Príncipe in the Ratification Gap: São Tomé and Príncipe is named among the few that have formally committed, but the wider continent still allows only about 28% of citizens visa-free entry to fellow African countries. Oil Licensing Momentum: In a separate development, São Tomé and Príncipe launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in blocks 7, 8 and 9, with bids due by 30 June. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority also flagged rising demand for modern licensing frameworks as fintech expands across borders and relies on new payment and onboarding models.

Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tome and Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 payment—stakes of up to 85% are on offer for Blocks 7, 8 and 9, while the state keeps 15%; the move targets growing interest from major operators active in the Gulf of Guinea. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks as fintech expands across borders, using remote onboarding, cloud systems and connected payments—pushing regulators to focus on scalability and governance. Regional Debt Pressure: Zimbabwe has been flagged among Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, underscoring how fiscal stress and arrears can lock countries out of concessional financing. Sports & Travel Context: Tunisia named its 2026 World Cup squad, with Sao Tome and Principe noted in the qualification group, while passport-ranking updates continue to show how travel access shifts month to month. Atlantic World Scholarship: A new book review spotlights African resistance to slavery across the Atlantic world, including early legal challenges tied to the Kongo region.

Oil & Gas: Sao Tome and Principe has just launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 submission payment; the state can hold up to 15% while companies may take up to 85%, and water depths range from under 2,000m to about 3,500m—an area already drawing major names like Shell, TotalEnergies, Petrobras, Galp and Kosmos. Regional Context: The push comes as global energy players keep recalibrating after mixed exploration results in the Gulf of Guinea. Travel & Mobility: Elsewhere in the week’s coverage, passport rankings show how quickly travel access can shift—Tunisia’s World Cup squad also drew attention, with Sao Tome and Principe noted in the qualification group.

Happiest Cities Watch: A new global ranking puts the spotlight on the world’s happiest cities in 2026, with the latest list drawing attention to what makes urban life feel more stable and livable. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says fintech and cross-border online finance are outgrowing old licensing categories, pushing demand for modern frameworks built for remote onboarding, cloud systems, and faster scaling. Debt Pressure in Southern Africa: A major UN–AU–AfDB–ECA report flags Zimbabwe’s public debt overshoot at about US$23bn, placing it among Africa’s most distressed economies and highlighting the knock-on risks of arrears and borrowing constraints. Trade Shift: China vs. the U.S.: New data shows China has become the top goods trading partner for most countries worldwide, leaving only a small set of African states still trading more with the U.S. than China. Climate Alarm: April 2026 is reported as the world’s fourth-warmest April on record, with high odds that 2026 will land among the four warmest years.

World Cup Buzz: Tunisia named a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Frankfurt midfielder Ellyes Skhiri as captain and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri and PSG youngster Khalil Ayari included—while top scorer Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was left out. Debt Pressure: Zimbabwe was flagged as one of Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, with public and guaranteed debt put around US$23bn—highlighting how fiscal stress is spreading across the region. Oil & Licences: Oranto Petroleum is losing exploration blocks in Uganda and South Sudan over weak activity, adding to a wider pattern of upstream licence disputes. Digital Finance Rules: Sao Tome and Principe’s Neves Licensing Authority says fintech growth is forcing new licensing frameworks for cross-border, cloud-based and automated financial services. Tech vs Human Dignity: Angola and Sao Tome and Principe Catholic communicators warned against AI misuse that can manipulate voices and images. Africa–France Talks: President William Ruto pushed for a “win-win” Africa–France partnership at a Nairobi summit, stressing sovereign equality over dependency.

World Cup Buzz: Tunisia has named its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Frankfurt midfielder Ellyes Skhiri as captain and Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri plus PSG youngster Khalil Ayari also included—while top scorer Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane is the big omission. Debt Pressure in Africa: A new UN-backed report flags Zimbabwe’s public debt overshoot of about US$23bn, placing Harare among the continent’s most distressed economies and highlighting how arrears keep it locked out of concessional funding. Digital Finance Rules: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for specialized licensing frameworks for digital finance, cross-border fintech, and payment tech—pushing regulators to update governance and scalability standards. Tech vs Human Dignity: Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe Catholic communicators are warning that AI and digital tools can be misused to manipulate voices and images, urging digital literacy and responsible online conduct. Sports, Nearby: Sao Tome and Principe’s qualification group connection is now part of the World Cup storyline as Tunisia prepares for Group F matches against Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands.

Digital Finance Licensing: Neves Licensing Authority says fintech is outgrowing old licensing categories as remote onboarding, cloud systems, automated operations, and cross-border payment networks expand across jurisdictions—pushing demand for frameworks built for scale, transparency, and modern infrastructure. Africa-France Diplomacy: President William Ruto used the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to call for a “win-win” Africa–France partnership based on sovereign equality and mutual investment, not dependency or extraction. Energy Watch: Brazil’s Petrobras is weighing a gasoline price adjustment but is delaying it as ethanol competition and governance rules limit how much external volatility can be passed to domestic prices. Climate Pressure: New global temperature reporting flags April 2026 as among the warmest on record, with warnings that El Niño-linked extremes could intensify drought, flooding, and health and food risks. Travel Mobility: Passport rankings keep shifting—Pakistan’s access fell to 30 destinations in the latest update, showing how quickly visa rules can change.