AGP Executive Report

UN Crime Congress: The 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi adopted the “Abu Dhabi Declaration,” setting priorities for crime prevention, criminal justice and rule of law for the next five years. ECOWAS Pay Dispute: Nigerian soldiers returning from ECOWAS missions in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau say they still face months of unpaid allowances, while Ghanaian and Senegalese colleagues were reportedly paid in full. Oil & Gas Investment: Chevron plans a major exploration push, with exploration spending rising sharply and new drilling activity including blocks in Guinea-Bissau. Regional Mobility Policy: A new Africa visa openness snapshot shows intra-African travel is getting harder in some places, with Guinea-Bissau among countries moving toward visa requirements. ECOWAS Court & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists to press member states to comply with regional judgments, citing enforcement gaps. Security & Trade Links: West Africa’s cocaine trafficking picture is shifting, with reports pointing to Guinea-Bissau’s reduced role as a “main gateway” as other hubs emerge. Social Protection (PALOP & Timor-Leste): Portugal-backed ILO work is expanding social protection for informal workers, with Guinea-Bissau listed among partner countries. Sports & Economy Angle: ECOWAS-linked community support continues, including GHANCOY’s donation of medicines to a Guinea-Bissau military hospital.

Climate Finance & Justice: UN General Assembly debate spotlighted small island states’ climate impacts and called for accessible, non-conditional funding, with leaders warning that climate finance is “not charity” and that borrowing can’t keep replacing disaster losses. Oil & Gas Investment: Chevron says it will boost exploration spending by 50%+ next year, planning about 20 exploration wells and securing blocks including Guinea-Bissau as it leans on AI and hires to improve discovery results. Regional Mobility Policy: A new Africa Visa Openness Index shows visa requirements for intra-African travel rising, with Guinea-Bissau among countries shifting toward pre-travel visas—while Togo’s visa-free policy for Africans (up to 30 days) stands out. ECOWAS Courts & Accountability: ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists to push member states to actually implement rulings, citing enforcement gaps that leave communities without remedies. Security & Crime Risks: Reporting highlights West Africa’s growing role in cocaine trafficking networks and notes Guinea-Bissau is no longer the only “main gateway,” as hubs shift across the coast. Sports & National Focus: Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers loom with Guinea-Bissau in Group L, while Super Eagles camp updates show early squad arrivals ahead of matches.

Oil & Gas Investment: Chevron says it will lift next year’s exploration budget by 50%+ and drill about 20 exploration wells in 2026, with new spending aimed at frontier blocks including Guinea-Bissau. Regional Security & Governance: A West Africa peace-and-security analysis warns that democratic backsliding and jihadist expansion are reshaping the region, with ECOWAS facing an enforcement and stability test. ECOWAS Justice Push: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is urging journalists to pressure member states to implement rulings, citing weak compliance on regional judgments. Visa-Free Travel Trend: The African visa gap is widening: Guinea-Bissau is among countries that moved away from visa-on-arrival, while Togo expanded visa exemptions for African travelers. Cocaine Trafficking Pressure: West Africa’s cocaine seizures keep rising, and reporting suggests Guinea-Bissau’s role as a key gateway is shifting as trafficking routes adapt across the coast. Sports & Mobility (Indirect): Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers include a trip to Bissau, keeping regional travel and match-day logistics in focus for the Guinea-Bissau economy.

Tourism & Regional Trade: A Swan Hellenic cruise ship, SH Diana, docked in Monrovia with 141 international passengers on a 13-night West Africa itinerary that also includes Guinea-Bissau, highlighting how coastal travel routes keep feeding regional services and local tourism operators. Regional Governance & Justice: ECOWAS is pushing for better enforcement of Community Court judgments, with the Court urging journalists to pressure member states to comply—an issue that matters for business confidence when legal decisions don’t translate into outcomes. ECOWAS Jobs: ECOWAS opened recruitment for nationals across multiple agencies, including finance, health, energy, and legal affairs, warning applicants that it charges no recruitment fees. Security & Illicit Trade: Reporting on West Africa’s cocaine trade points to growing pressure on coastal states and ports, with Guinea-Bissau mentioned as part of the shifting trafficking landscape. Sports & Business Visibility: Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off with a trip to Bissau, keeping Guinea-Bissau in the regional spotlight and boosting match-day demand for transport, hospitality, and local vendors.

ECOWAS Court Pushes Media for Compliance: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is urging journalists to pressure member states to implement its rulings, saying enforcement and compliance remain below expectations—an issue that directly affects rights and business confidence across the region. ECOWAS Opens Recruitment: ECOWAS has launched recruitment for nationals across its specialised agencies, covering roles in health, finance, energy, legal affairs and anti–money laundering, with clear eligibility rules and a warning that it charges no recruitment fees. Cocaine Route Pressure on West Africa: New reporting highlights how cocaine trafficking is increasingly entangled with weak governance and porous borders, with Guinea-Bissau no longer described as the sole “main gateway,” as hubs and corridors shift across the coast. Guinea-Bissau in the Spotlight via Sports: Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Guinea-Bissau listed as the next opponent after Madagascar—keeping regional attention on Bissau in the football calendar. Social Protection Link to Informal Jobs: A Portuguese-funded ILO programme phase is set to expand social protection for informal-economy workers, including planned work in Guinea-Bissau, tying welfare systems to employment, training and business formalisation.

ECOWAS Court Pushes Media for Better Compliance: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice opened a three-day workshop for journalists, urging them to pressure member states to implement regional judgments, after concerns that enforcement remains below expectations. ECOWAS Recruitment Drive: ECOWAS launched recruitment for nationals across its agencies, with vacancies spanning health, finance, energy, legal affairs and anti-money laundering roles; the bloc says it charges no recruitment fees. Cocaine Route Pressure on West Africa: New reporting highlights how cocaine trafficking is increasingly exploiting weak governance and porous borders, with Guinea-Bissau no longer seen as the main gateway as hubs shift across the coast. Senegal and Port Vulnerabilities: Investigations point to Senegal emerging as a strategic hub and to corruption risks at ports and patrols across the region. Chevron Eyes More Oil in Guinea-Bissau: Chevron plans to raise global exploration spending by over 50% versus 2025, including expanded activity in Guinea-Bissau alongside Egypt and others. Sports With Guinea-Bissau in the Spotlight: Nigeria’s Super Eagles prepare for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with a trip to Bissau after opening against Madagascar, as officials urge a strong start and avoid complacency.

Regional Sports & Travel: Nigeria’s Super Eagles are urging focus ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with officials noting the team will host Madagascar in Uyo (Sept 25) before travelling to Guinea-Bissau (Sept 29). Squad Update: Victor Osimhen is ruled out with a muscle strain, and Taiwo Awoniyi replaces him; Raphael Onyedika is cleared after a shoulder scare. Camp Logistics: The Super Eagles opened camp in Ikot Ekpene with 20 players already in place, as preparations intensify for the first match. ECOWAS Justice & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is pushing journalists to pressure member states to comply with regional rulings, citing enforcement gaps. Health & Community Support: GHANCOY 5 donated medicines to Guinea-Bissau’s military hospital as part of civil-military cooperation, aiming to ease costs for patients. Payments Infrastructure (UEMOA): Guinea-Bissau is listed with one Business API for PI-SPI, while the wider region expands access—relevant for faster, more automated payments.

ECOWAS Court Pushes Media for Better Compliance: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice opened a three-day workshop urging journalists across member states to pressure governments to implement its rulings, citing enforcement gaps and “below expectation” compliance. Security & Governance: The same regional justice push comes as reporting highlights how enforcement and accountability remain weak across West Africa, with courts relying on national follow-through. Diplomatic Ties with Guinea-Bissau: Nepal formally established diplomatic relations with Guinea-Bissau on Sept 1, with Guinea-Bissau later noted among Nepal’s expanding bilateral network. Health Support via ECOWAS Partner Mission: Ghana Company (GHANCOY) donated medicines to Guinea-Bissau’s military hospital, aiming to ease costs for patients and strengthen civil-military cooperation. Regional Trade/Investment Signal: Chevron plans to expand oil and gas exploration next year, naming Guinea-Bissau among target areas. Sports with Regional Link: Nigeria’s Super Eagles camp opened in Ikot Ekpene ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers vs Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with squad updates driven by injuries.

Health & Security Cooperation: GHANCOY 5 donated antibiotics and chronic-disease medicines to Guinea-Bissau’s Military Hospital, with officials saying the hospital effectively provides near-free care for patients who can’t afford outpatient treatment. Social Protection Policy: A Portuguese-funded “Action/Portugal” seminar phase is pushing wider social protection for workers in the informal economy, with Guinea-Bissau listed among partner countries and links drawn between social protection, employment, training, and business formalisation. Regional Justice & Media: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists across member states to press governments to implement regional court judgments, citing weak compliance as a barrier to real remedies for citizens. Digital Payments (UEMOA): A UEMOA update shows Guinea-Bissau has just one Business API for PI-SPI, while deployment deadlines are set for banks and other providers—an issue for cross-border commerce and faster payments. Trade & Investment Signals: Chevron says it plans to expand oil and gas exploration in Egypt, alongside Guinea-Bissau, as part of a broader spending increase. Sports with Economic Spillover: Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 preparations include matches against Guinea-Bissau, with squad updates and camp activity in Akwa Ibom—important for regional travel and match-day spending.

ECOWAS Court Accountability Push: The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice urged journalists across member states to pressure governments to fully implement regional judgments, saying compliance remains below expectations. Cocaine Route Risk Exposed: A new investigation links West Africa’s porous ports to a growing cocaine trafficking network, with parallel scandals reported in Ghana and Liberia showing how shipments and patrols can be “cleared” or escorted for pay. Fishmeal Pressure on Guinea-Bissau: OCCRP reports rapid sardinella declines off Guinea-Bissau, tied to industrial fishmeal demand, including Chinese factory ships and Turkish fishing activity, threatening both food supply and local livelihoods. Regional Waste Reform: UNEP-backed work is pushing Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau to strengthen waste management laws and better integrate informal waste workers into safer systems. Digital Payments in UEMOA: Benin authorized more institutions to offer PI-SPI to the public, while Guinea-Bissau still has only one Business API approved—highlighting uneven rollout across the region. Sports (Guinea-Bissau in focus): Nigeria’s Super Eagles begin AFCON 2027 qualifiers with matches vs Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with squad updates driven by injuries.

Food & Fisheries Trade: Russia showcased a growing food and fisheries trade network at WorldFood Moscow (15–18 Sept) and the IX International Fishery Forum & Seafood Expo in St. Petersburg (16–18 Sept), with Moscow focused on imports, retail and HoReCa and St. Petersburg on fishing, aquaculture, processing, logistics and export development—an approach that increasingly links Russia with China, India, Vietnam, Central Asia, Iran, the Gulf, Africa and Latin America. Maritime & Shipping Risk: A Russian drone strike on 17 Sept hit a Tanzanian-flagged civilian vessel in the Black Sea, killing the captain and injuring crew, underscoring rising dangers for international shipping and port logistics. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to overhaul waste management frameworks with UNEP support, pushing stronger laws, better coordination, and inclusion of informal waste workers. Green Minerals Cooperation: Officials say deeper cooperation on green minerals—trade, investment and standards alignment—could strengthen supply chains and benefit resource-rich countries, including Guinea-Bissau. Fishmeal Pressure on Guinea-Bissau: A report links declining sardinella stocks off Guinea-Bissau to industrial fishing tied to fishmeal demand, with Chinese factory ships and Turkish fishing activity flagged as key drivers. Regional Finance (UEMOA): West Africa’s integrated BRVM common stock exchange (including Guinea-Bissau) is drawing more investor attention as its index and market cap rise, with returns reported above 8% on equities and around 6% on bonds.

ECOWAS Security Diplomacy: Guinea-Bissau’s regional stability agenda gets a spotlight with ECOWAS renewing Ambassador Baba Issifu Kamara’s term as Special Envoy on Counter-Terrorism, underscoring quiet diplomacy as a business-enabling factor. Regional Trade & Energy Signals: Chevron says it will ramp up oil and gas exploration spending by over 50% versus 2025, with Guinea-Bissau listed among expansion areas—an investment cue for the country’s long-term resource outlook. Payments Infrastructure (UEMOA/PI-SPI): Benin authorized 11 institutions to offer PI-SPI to the public (up from 6), while only one Business API is approved (Ecobank), highlighting how Guinea-Bissau’s single-API setup may shape faster or slower corporate payment automation. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are pushing UNEP-backed waste governance reforms, aiming to strengthen laws, coordinate institutions, and better integrate informal waste workers. Food & Fisheries Pressure: A report links Guinea-Bissau’s sardinella decline to industrial fishmeal demand, with Chinese factory ships and Turkish fishing activity flagged as key drivers. Digital Services Access: Apple is bundling Apple TV and Apple Arcade into iCloud+ in 100+ countries, including Guinea-Bissau—small, but relevant for consumer spending and digital adoption. Regional Capital Markets: West Africa’s BRVM is drawing more international attention as the integrated exchange’s index and market value rise, with Guinea-Bissau among the member markets.

Oil & Gas Expansion: Chevron says it will boost oil and gas exploration in Egypt, planning 20 exploration wells and 5–6 appraisal wells next year as part of a global spending rise of over 50% vs 2025, with Guinea-Bissau also named among key areas. Payments Infrastructure (UEMOA): In Benin, 11 institutions are now authorized to offer PI-SPI to the public, while only one Business API has been approved by the BCEAO (Ecobank); Guinea-Bissau is reported to have just one Business API, highlighting uneven rollout across the region. Waste Management Reform: Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are moving to overhaul waste management frameworks with UNEP support, pushing stronger laws, better coordination, and inclusion of informal waste workers. Fisheries & Food Security: A report links the decline of sardinella stocks off Guinea-Bissau to industrial fishing for fishmeal, with Chinese factory ships and Turkish vessels flagged as key drivers. Regional Integration Tech: Apple is bundling Apple TV and Apple Arcade into iCloud+ in 100+ countries, including Guinea-Bissau, potentially widening access to digital services. Security/Trade Context: West Africa is increasingly described as a major cocaine transit route to Europe and America, with seizures and trafficking activity rising sharply since 2019.

AFCON Qualifiers (Nigeria–Guinea-Bissau): Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening 2027 AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar (Sept 25) and Guinea-Bissau (Sept 29) after a right adductor injury recovery ran longer than expected, with Galatasaray saying he remains under treatment. Defence & Allowances: Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters says delayed allowances for troops deployed to Sudan, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are paid only after mission funds are received from the UN or ECOWAS, responding to reports that some soldiers returned without full payments. Waste Management Reform (Regional): Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are pushing UNEP-backed waste governance reforms, calling for stronger laws, better coordination, and inclusion of informal waste workers to protect public health and the environment. Fishmeal Pressure on Guinea-Bissau Fisheries: A report links the decline of sardinella stocks off Guinea-Bissau to industrial fishing tied to fishmeal production, coinciding with Chinese fishmeal factories and Turkish fishing activity. Green Minerals Cooperation: Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources ministry is set to benefit from deeper international cooperation on green minerals, aimed at strengthening supply chains through trade, investment and standards alignment. Capital Markets (UEMOA/BRVM): West Africa’s integrated BRVM exchange is drawing more international attention as performance improves, with Guinea-Bissau among the member markets.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers (Nigeria–Guinea-Bissau): Nigeria’s Super Eagles open Group L with Madagascar (Sept 25) and then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau (Sept 29), with Ademola Lookman saying the team is targeting maximum points from both matches. Defence & Personnel Welfare: Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters says delayed allowances for troops deployed in Sudan, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are paid only after mission funds are received from the UN and ECOWAS, rejecting claims that soldiers returned without full pay. Waste Management Reform (Regional): Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone are pushing UNEP-backed waste governance reforms, calling for stronger laws, better coordination, and inclusion of informal waste workers to protect public health and the environment. Green Minerals & Supply Chains: Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources minister is linked to growing international cooperation on green minerals, aimed at aligning standards and expanding trade, investment and technology ties. Fisheries Pressure in Guinea-Bissau: A report links the decline of sardinella stocks off Guinea-Bissau to industrial fishmeal production, pointing to Chinese factory ships and Turkish fishing activity. Digital Services (Regional Access): Apple expands iCloud+ bundles to include Apple TV and Apple Arcade in over 100 countries, including Guinea-Bissau, with rollout through end-September 2026.

Personnel Allowances Clarified: Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters says delays in allowances for Nigerian troops deployed to Sudan, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau are due to payments being made only after mission funds are received from the UN (Sudan) and ECOWAS (Gambia and Guinea-Bissau). Waste Management Reform Push: UNEP-backed work is driving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to overhaul waste management rules, strengthen institutions, and better include informal waste workers to protect public health and the environment. Green Minerals Cooperation: Guinea-Bissau’s natural resources ministry is expected to benefit from deeper green minerals cooperation aimed at aligning standards and linking resources, technology, capital and markets. Fishmeal Pressure on Guinea-Bissau Fisheries: A report links the decline of sardinella stocks off Guinea-Bissau to industrial fishing tied to fishmeal production, with Chinese factory ships and Turkish fleets flagged as key contributors. Regional Capital Markets Spotlight: West Africa’s integrated BRVM exchange is drawing more international attention as performance improves, with Guinea-Bissau among the UEMOA markets served.