AGP Executive Report

AI Sovereignty: African countries should build their own AI capacity rather than remain technology users or suppliers of training data, researcher Yves Kokou told Tchadinfos. He says the continent has talent, but policymakers must connect it and account for linguistic diversity and large informal economies. Chad Wildlife Research: A study recorded 113 hooded vultures in and around N’Djamena over six months. Researchers identified poisoning and illegal hunting as key threats to the critically endangered birds, which help clear waste. Medicine Safety: UNODC reports authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across Chad and four other Central African countries from 2020 to 2025. The illicit trade includes diverted genuine medicines, unapproved products and falsified drugs; the regional seizure total does not show how much came from Chad.

AI Sovereignty: Researcher Yves Kokou warns African countries risk dependence if they only supply data for AI systems built elsewhere. He urges policymakers to turn local expertise into homegrown capacity and tailor AI to the continent’s languages and informal economies. Medicine Safety: A UN report says authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across Chad and four Central African countries from 2020 to 2025. The trade includes diverted medicines, unapproved products and smuggled drugs; the figures do not show how much was seized in Chad. Wildlife Research: A study found 113 hooded vultures in and around N’Djamena over six months. Researchers identified poisoning and illegal hunting as major threats to the critically endangered birds, which help clean up waste.

Medicine Supply: A UN report says authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across Chad and four other Central African countries from 2020 to 2025. The illicit trade includes diverted or unapproved medicines, from antibiotics and antimalarials to tramadol; the regional total does not show how much was seized in Chad. Wildlife Research: A study published in Frontiers in Bird Science recorded 113 hooded vultures in and around N’Djamena over six months. Researchers identified poisoning and illegal hunting as major threats, and found the birds were more common in greener, less-trafficked areas.

Vulture Conservation: A study around N’Djamena recorded 113 hooded vultures over six months and identified poisoning and illegal hunting as key threats. The critically endangered birds were more common in greener, less trafficked areas, underscoring the need to protect their habitat. Illicit Medicines: A UN report says authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across Chad and four neighboring Central African countries from 2020 to 2025. The haul included antibiotics, antimalarials and painkillers; the UN cautions that rising seizures may reflect stronger enforcement as well as trafficking. Wildlife Recovery: Chad’s scimitar-horned oryx is among conservation success stories cited in a report on wildlife recovering from the brink, showing what sustained restoration efforts can achieve.

Wildlife Conservation: A six-month study around N’Djamena counted 113 hooded vultures, a critically endangered species. Researchers identified poisoning and illegal hunting as major threats; the birds were more common in greener, less-trafficked areas. Illicit Medicines: Authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across Chad and four Central African countries from 2020 to 2025, according to a UN report. The haul included antibiotics, antimalarials and painkillers; rising seizures may reflect stronger enforcement as well as trafficking. Conservation Gains: A global review of wildlife recoveries pointed to the scimitar-horned oryx’s return to the wild in Chad as an example of what sustained conservation work can achieve.

Medicine Safety: A UN report says authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products across five Central African countries, including Chad, from 2020 to 2025. The trade includes counterfeit and unapproved drugs, as well as genuine medicines diverted from legal supply chains. Wildlife Research: A study in Frontiers in Bird Science recorded 113 hooded vultures around N’Djamena over six months. Poisoning and illegal hunting threaten the critically endangered birds, which help clean up waste. Climate Risk: New projections warn that Chad is among four Sahel countries facing severe heat impacts from El Niño through February 2027. High reliance on farming and electricity access of just 13% leave many people with limited protection from extreme heat.

Illicit Medicines Trade: A UNODC report warns that when medicines are scarce or too costly, illicit sellers step in—covering everything from diverted genuine drugs to smuggled and unapproved products. Regional Scale in Central Africa: Authorities seized 251 tonnes of medical products from 2020–2025 across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, and Chad, with seizures jumping from ~5 tonnes in 2020 to nearly 116 tonnes in 2024, then staying high in 2025. What’s Being Trafficked: Intercepted items include antibiotics, antimalarials, painkillers, and controlled substances like tramadol and pregabalin, moving via maritime, river, air, and road routes. Wildlife Conservation in Chad: A new study on hooded vultures in and around N’Djamena finds 113 birds over six months, with poisoning and illegal hunting flagged as major threats. Field Findings: Researchers surveyed slaughterhouses, a landfill, and nearby villages; vultures were more common in greener, less trafficked areas, while 47% of interviewees reported known poisoning cases.

Illicit Medicines in Central Africa: A UNODC report says medicine smuggling is booming across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic and Chad, with seizures rising from ~5 tonnes (2020) to nearly 116 tonnes (2024) and over 97 tonnes (2025). The trade isn’t just fake drugs—authorities also intercept genuine medicines diverted from legal supply chains, plus unapproved products. Wildlife Conservation in Chad: A study on hooded vultures in and around N’Djamena found 113 birds over six months, with poisoning and illegal hunting flagged as the main threats; researchers surveyed slaughterhouses, a landfill and nearby villages, and noted vultures were more common in greener, less trafficked areas. Immunisation Access Problem: Coverage highlights how low vaccine uptake can be driven by practical barriers like long travel and unreliable electricity that disrupt cold-chain delivery, leaving vaccines available only on certain days. Sudan Child At-Risk Report: Amnesty says children in North Darfur are being recruited by the RSF, facing sexual violence and long-term harm, with recruitment linked to community mobilization and village attacks. Chad’s Budget & Rail Moves: Algeria’s council of ministers coverage points to pay raises in a 2027 finance bill and immediate steps on a rail line toward Tamanrasset—an infrastructure push that matters for regional connectivity. Heat Risk for Chad: A Sahel forecast warns Chad could see major added deaths from extreme heat tied to El Niño, with poverty and low electricity access making cooling and resilience harder.

Wildlife & Conservation: A new study in Frontiers in Bird Science reports 113 hooded vultures around N’Djamena over six months, with poisoning and illegal hunting flagged as the main threats; researchers surveyed slaughterhouses, a landfill, and nearby villages, finding the birds more common in greener, less trafficked areas. Public Health: A report on immunisation shortfalls across Africa says low coverage isn’t just “hesitancy” — vaccine cold-chain limits and unreliable electricity can mean shots are only available on certain days, trapping families in a cycle of missed care. Human Rights in Conflict: Amnesty International says children in Sudan’s North Darfur have been recruited by the RSF, faced sexual violence, and been left with starvation and years without education. Climate Risk for Chad: A Sahel-focused outlook warns El Niño-driven heat could add 66,800 deaths across the region, with Chad among the hardest hit where electricity access is low and farming communities are highly exposed. Finance for Tech & Infrastructure: UBA’s CEO urges turning Africa’s opportunities into bankable projects, stressing project preparation, credible institutions, and dependable revenue to unlock long-term capital, including in Chad via telecom financing.

Human Rights in Sudan: Amnesty International reports children in North Darfur are being recruited by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, facing sexual violence, starvation, and years without education, with recruitment tied to village attacks and local allied groups. Climate & Health in the Sahel: New projections warn El Niño could drive extreme heat across the Sahel, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger, and Chad among the hardest hit—Chad’s low electricity access and reliance on farming leave many exposed. Chad’s Development & Finance: Algeria’s Council of Ministers meeting highlights pay raises in the 2027 draft finance bill and immediate rail construction toward Tamanrasset, while keeping new taxes off purchasing power. Banking & Infrastructure in Africa: UBA’s CEO urges turning Africa’s opportunities into investable projects, stressing rigorous preparation, credible institutions, and dependable revenue—plus ongoing financing activity including telecom support in Chad. Security Tech & Trade Shows: Azerbaijan’s ADEX 2026 and Securex Caspian exhibitions spotlight defense and internal security tech, showing how regional tech platforms keep expanding.

Child Protection in Conflict: Amnesty says children in Sudan’s North Darfur are being recruited by the Rapid Support Forces, including boys forced to fight, herd livestock, and gather intelligence, with reports of sexual violence, starvation, and years without school. Budget & Infrastructure Tech: Algeria’s Council of Ministers backed the 2027 finance bill with planned salary and wage hikes, kept new taxes off purchasing power, and pushed ahead with immediate segments of a rail line linking the Northern region to Tamanrasset. Climate & Health Risk: New El Niño projections warn the Sahel—including Chad—could see major heat-driven harm, with Chad among the hardest hit; low electricity access and drought-linked farming dependence make cooling and resilience harder. Heat Preparedness in Southern Africa: A separate forecast flags rising extreme-heat danger across Southern Africa, urging heat preparedness as El Niño is expected to intensify into early 2027. Bankable Projects Push: UBA’s CEO urges Africa to turn opportunities into commercially viable, investable projects with strong preparation and accountable execution, including telecom financing in Chad. Security Cooperation: A report on African special operations stresses building cross-border networks for faster coordination against evolving threats. Regional Tech & Defense Expos: Azerbaijan’s ADEX 2026 and Securex Caspian showcased advanced defense and internal security tech.

Heat & Health: A strong El Niño is expected to hit the Sahel hardest, with Chad among the top countries for extreme-heat harm—projections point to 66,800 additional deaths across Nigeria, Sudan, Niger, and Chad from Sept 2026 to Feb 2027, with most people lacking electricity and relying on farming. Finance for Tech-Ready Projects: United Bank for Africa (UBA) is urging African governments and builders to turn opportunities into bankable, commercially sustainable projects, stressing better preparation, credible institutions, and accountable execution—while noting its own financing work in Chad, including telecom support. Security Tech & Cross-Border Coordination: A report on African special operations forces says the region needs stronger connectivity and interoperability to handle cross-border threats, pushing for a “community” model rather than isolated operations. Regional Conflict Spillovers: Coverage of Sudan’s war highlights how outside actors—especially the UAE—are shaping outcomes, with Chad named among key external supporters of the RSF. Infrastructure Watch: In Cameroon, Chinese firms dominate major road contracts but progress is slow on several projects—an indirect warning for regional delivery capacity that also matters for Chad’s neighbors.

El Niño Heat Threat for Chad: A new forecast warns the Sahel—including Chad—could see major heat-driven harm in late 2026 into early 2027, with Chad projected to face tens of thousands of extra deaths from extreme heat versus a normal year, worsened by low electricity access and heavy reliance on farming. Bankable Projects Push: United Bank for Africa (UBA) is urging African governments and builders to turn opportunities into commercially viable, investable infrastructure—citing the need for solid project prep, credible institutions, and dependable revenue; the bank also points to its telecom financing in Chad. Sudan War Spillover: A report argues the UAE is playing an outsized role in Sudan’s civil war, with Chad named among external backers of the Rapid Support Forces—highlighting how regional tech, finance, and logistics can fuel conflict. Sahel Security Networking: Coverage of African special operations forces stresses the need for cross-border coordination and interoperability as threats evolve, with “your network is your net worth” framed as a practical security strategy. Regional Tech/Defense Showcases: Azerbaijan’s ADEX-2026 and Securex Caspian exhibitions spotlight new defense and internal security technologies, underscoring how tech ecosystems keep expanding beyond Africa.

Heat & Health in the Sahel: A strong El Niño is projected to hit the Sahel hardest, with Chad among the worst affected; low electricity access and heavy reliance on farming leave millions exposed to extreme heat, with tens of thousands of extra deaths expected. Climate Preparedness: A separate forecast warns Southern Africa faces rising heat risk through early 2027, with hundreds of thousands of heat-related deaths possible as global land temperatures run hotter. Bankable Tech & Infrastructure: United Bank for Africa urges Africa to turn big development ideas into commercially viable, well-prepared projects that can actually attract long-term funding—citing its own financing work, including telecom support in Chad. Regional Security Tech & Coordination: Reporting on African special operations highlights a push to connect forces across borders for faster intelligence sharing and coordination. Cross-Border Conflict Spillovers: A deep dive into Sudan’s war points to outside actors—especially the UAE—as a major driver of conflict dynamics involving regional partners including Chad. Transport & Procurement Watch: In Cameroon’s north, Chinese firms dominate major road contracts, but progress is slow on several projects—an angle that matters for how regional infrastructure delivery and oversight work.

Heat & Health in the Sahel: A strong El Niño is projected to hit the Sahel hardest, with Niger and Chad among the most exposed—limited electricity and heavy reliance on farming leave millions vulnerable to extreme heat, with tens of thousands of extra deaths forecast. Bankable Tech Projects: United Bank for Africa urged African leaders to turn big ideas into investable, commercially sustainable infrastructure—citing the need for solid institutions, reliable revenue, and accountable delivery, including telecom financing in Chad. Cross-Border Security Tech: A push is growing for African special operations forces to “get connected” for faster coordination and intelligence sharing as threats cross borders. Regional Infrastructure Watch: In Cameroon’s north, Chinese firms hold about 66% of major road contract value, but progress is slow on several projects—an efficiency lesson that matters for neighboring Chad’s own infrastructure push. Conflict Spillovers: Reporting on Sudan highlights the UAE’s outsized role in sustaining war dynamics, with Chad named among external RSF supporters.

Climate Risk in the Sahel: A strong El Niño is forecast to push extreme heat hardest across Africa’s Sahel, with Nigeria, Sudan, Niger, and Chad projected to see about 66,800 extra deaths from September 2026 to February 2027—made worse by poverty, drought-linked farming, and limited electricity for cooling. Heat Preparedness Push: A separate projection warns Southern Africa could face major heat-related mortality through early 2027, urging governments to plan now for extreme temperatures. Bankable Projects for Africa’s Tech-Enabled Growth: UBA’s CEO says Africa needs more than ideas—projects must be rigorously prepared, institution-ready, and commercially sustainable to attract long-term capital, including in places like Chad where UBA has financed telecom infrastructure. Regional Security Networks: Coverage highlights calls for African special operations forces to connect and coordinate across borders as threats evolve. Infrastructure Watch in Cameroon: Chinese firms hold about 66% of major road contracts in northern Cameroon, but progress is slow on several projects—an execution lesson relevant to regional infrastructure delivery.