AGP Executive Report

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, bringing built-in AI help for search and understanding to more African users. Cybersecurity: Researchers warn about UNC3753 (“Chatty Spider”) using voice phishing and social engineering to steal data and extort dozens of U.S. organizations. Food Systems & Rights: African countries signed the N’Djamena Declaration in Chad to protect farmer seed systems from restrictive IP rules and corporate control. Climate Risk: NOAA says El Niño is active and could strengthen into a “very strong” event, raising fears for extreme drought and crop failures. Energy & Industry: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying. Security Tech & Intel: Nigeria-U.S. cooperation is reported to have degraded ISWAP capabilities, while troops also secured the surrender of alleged bomb specialists in Yobe.

Oil Accountability: Nigeria’s Senate escalates its probe into NNPCL finances, issuing an arrest warrant for former boss Mele Kyari over alleged ₦210 trillion ($155B) discrepancies from 2017–2023. AI in Everyday Life: Google expands “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, pushing built-in AI search and help into more African markets. Climate Risk for Africa: NOAA declares El Niño is active and could become “very strong,” raising odds of extreme weather that can hit food and health systems hard. Seeds Under Pressure: In N’Djamena, 20 African countries back the “N’Djamena Declaration” to protect farmer seed systems from restrictive seed laws and corporate control, including “bio-digitalization.” Lake Chad Security: Nigerian troops report major ISWAP setbacks as senior bomb-linked commanders surrender in Yobe, with intelligence expected to disrupt explosives networks. Energy Industry: Nigeria says it exported solar panels worth N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importer to regional supplier. Tech Governance: IBM warns AI leaders are accountable for systems they don’t fully control, as AI agent deployments outpace governance. Infrastructure Finance: Cameroon weighs financing for the $2.2bn Yaoundé bypass, with an Indian firm proposing an EPC-plus-financing approach.

AI in the Browser: Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, bringing built-in AI search and help to more African users (Chad included in the wider rollout). Climate Signals: NOAA reports May 2026 as the world’s second-warmest May on record, with high odds that 2026 stays among the four warmest years—bad news for heat, rain patterns, and planning. Energy Tech & Trade: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying—US leads buyers. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria and the US say joint operations in Borno degraded ISWAP, killing over 200 fighters and neutralizing Abu Bilal al-Minuki; separately, two senior ISWAP bomb specialists surrendered in Yobe. Cybersecurity: A US-focused data theft extortion campaign (UNC3753) used vishing and social engineering to break into organizations and steal legal and financial records. Power Grid Risk: A new study warns climate change could synchronize solar low-output failures across Africa’s power pools, stressing regional electricity reliability. Local Tech Capacity: ABU researchers are being trained in computational catalysis, pushing Nigeria to build more homegrown expertise instead of relying on foreign specialists.

Climate Watch: May 2026 hit the world’s second-hottest May on record, with NOAA saying there’s about a 95% chance 2026 lands among the four warmest years—bad news for already-stressed regions. Energy & Industry: Nigeria exported solar panels worth about N85.8bn in Q1 2026, signaling a shift from importing to supplying, with the US as the top buyer. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria and the US said joint operations in Borno degraded ISWAP, including neutralizing a top ISIS commander and dismantling checkpoints and training sites. Lake Chad Threats: Analysts warn the MNJTF must boost tactical and technological efforts as Boko Haram and ISWAP keep using Lake Chad’s islands and swamps. AI Governance: An IBM study finds many African and global tech leaders are accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while governance lags behind fast AI rollout. Cybercrime: US researchers detailed a vishing-led data theft extortion campaign (UNC3753) hitting legal and financial firms. Water & Food: Op-eds highlight how warming is breaking old water-control assumptions, with farmers in the Sahel reading harsher climate signals.

Renewables Trade: Nigeria exported solar panels worth N85.79bn in Q1 2026, with the US as the biggest buyer, signaling a shift from importing to manufacturing-led regional supply. AI Governance Gap: An IBM study says CIOs/CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while AI adoption is outpacing governance—especially as agent deployments are expected to surge. Cybercrime Tactics: Google-linked researchers describe UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” using vishing and social engineering to trick targets into remote access and data theft extortion. Lake Chad Security Tech: Analysts say the MNJTF must step up tactical and technological efforts against Boko Haram/ISWAP, as attacks increasingly exploit Lake Chad’s islands and swamps. Chad-Sudan Border Response: MSF reports drone strikes at the Chad-Sudan border, treating 116 wounded in one month. Health Training in Chad: Merck Foundation is expanding cancer care capacity across Africa, including Chad, by funding oncology clinical training and building first local cancer care teams. Climate & Power Systems: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening grid resilience. Finance Regulation: Banking regulators met in Yaoundé to tackle risks from financial innovation and digital services.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says most CIOs/CTOs are accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, with AI adoption outpacing governance as agent deployments are expected to surge. Cybercrime in Focus: U.S. researchers detail UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” using voice phishing and social engineering to break into organizations and steal legal and financial data. Security Tech & Policy: Nigeria’s Sen. Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in Borno’s Mandara Mountains to disrupt Boko Haram routes—an argument built on terrain and surveillance. Health & Training: Merck Foundation expands cancer care capacity across multiple African countries, including Chad, training new oncology specialists and teams. Climate-Energy Risk: A study warns Africa’s solar power pools face rising synchronization risk under climate change, threatening grid resilience. Local Tech Capacity: ABU researchers get training in computational catalysis, pushing Nigeria to build indigenous expertise instead of relying on foreign specialists. Chad in the Spotlight: MSF reports drone-strike casualties near the Chad-Sudan border, with 116 treated since May.

Cancer Care Training in Africa: Merck Foundation is expanding cancer capacity across the region, including Chad, by funding hundreds of oncology scholarships and launching the “Ray of Hope” cancer awareness storybook/animation with African First Ladies. AI Governance Gap: An IBM study warns CIOs and CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they don’t fully control, as AI agent deployments accelerate faster than governance can keep up. Cybercrime in the Spotlight: Google-linked researchers detail UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” vishing and remote-access scams used to steal data from U.S. organizations. Solar Grid Risk: A new study finds climate change is increasing the chance that multiple African power pools suffer low-solar output at the same time, threatening regional reliability. Chad-Sudan Border Strikes: MSF reports drone strikes near Tina, with 116 wounded treated in one month, including severe burns and more women and children among casualties. Language Policy in Chad: Chad’s education shift to give Standard Arabic equal status with French signals a deeper political realignment in schools. Banking Regulators Meet: CABS convenes in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new risks reshape supervision across Africa.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says many CIOs/CTOs are held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, while AI agent deployments are set to surge and governance is lagging. Cybercrime in the Spotlight: Google links UNC3753 “Chatty Spider” to a U.S. data theft extortion campaign using vishing and in-person intrusions to steal legal, personal, and financial records. Energy Resilience for Africa: A new study warns climate change could synchronize solar power failures across Africa’s regional grids, sharply raising low-output days and stressing reliability. Chad-Sudan Border Health Impact: MSF reports intensified drone strikes near Tina, with 116 wounded treated since May and severe burns and blast injuries overwhelming Tiné Hospital. Borno Security Tech Push: Senator Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in the Mandara Mountains to monitor and disrupt Boko Haram routes. Chad Education & Digital Learning: Nigeria’s ICT equipment rollout to 15 colleges of education (with regional partners including Chad) aims to boost digital literacy and teacher training. Water & Climate Thinking: An OpEd argues that centuries of controlling water are breaking down as warming reshapes water cycles, forcing new approaches.

AI Governance Gap: IBM says CIOs and CTOs are being held accountable for AI systems they can’t fully control, as AI agent deployment accelerates and governance lags. Security Tech & Counterterror: Nigeria’s Navy reports a drone-supported Lake Chad surveillance mission that led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics collaborator. Chad-Sudan Border Care: MSF says drone strikes near the Chadian border have driven a steady flow of wounded patients to Tiné Hospital, including burns and blast trauma. Borno Defense Push: Senator Ali Ndume urges the U.S. to set up a base in Borno’s Mandara Mountains to monitor and disrupt Boko Haram routes. Sustainability in Practice: TIKA showcases a zero-waste and recycling project in Chad at Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival, alongside education and circular-economy initiatives. Banking Oversight: Regulators meet in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise risks across Africa. Education & Digital Learning: Nigeria distributes ICT equipment to 15 Colleges of Education to expand digital literacy and safer, better training. Language Policy in Chad: Chad moves to give Standard Arabic equal status with French in schools, highlighting the politics behind education choices.

Sustainability & Recycling in Focus: TIKA brought a “zero waste” push to Istanbul’s Zero Waste Festival, including a Gaza-focused workshop honoring journalist Yahya Barzaq and a Chad zero-waste waste-management project, with plans for a recycling education center. Water & Climate Reality Check: A new op-ed argues that 6,000 years of controlling water no longer works as warming disrupts water cycles, pushing ecosystems toward a sixth extinction. Health Under Fire at the Chad-Sudan Border: MSF says drone strikes near Tina have driven repeated mass casualties; 116 wounded were treated since May began, with severe burns and blast injuries and more women and children among patients. Digital Learning Push: Nigeria’s education ministry distributed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education (with Japan, AU, and UNESCO support) to expand teacher training and safer, more inclusive digital learning. Banking Regulation Meets Tech Change: African banking supervisors gathered in Yaoundé to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise fresh risks. Chad Language Policy: Chad’s education shift to give Standard Arabic equal status with French is framed as a political move with long-term identity implications.

Water & Climate Reality Check: A new op-ed argues that 6,000 years of controlling water no longer works as warming scrambles rainfall, floods, and ecosystems, pushing the planet toward harsher, harder-to-manage cycles. Conservation Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) signed a four-year framework with IUCN to boost biodiversity conservation, species recovery, and “nature-positive” development. Lake Chad Border Health Crisis: MSF says drone strikes near the Chad-Sudan border have intensified since May, with 116 wounded treated at Tiné Hospital in total and 69 admissions between 17–26 May. Digital Learning Push: Nigeria’s education ministry handed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education (with Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, and AU support) to expand teacher training and digital literacy across West Africa, including Chad. Banking Regulation in the Region: Cameroon hosted CABS talks on strengthening prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise fresh supervisory risks. Security Tech in Counter-Terror Ops: Nigeria’s Navy reports a drone-supported Lake Chad surveillance mission leading to the arrest of a suspected terrorist logistics collaborator.

Conservation Partnership: Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) signed a four-year Framework Partnership Agreement with the IUCN, aiming to boost biodiversity conservation, species recovery, and nature-positive development. Education & Digital Skills: Nigeria’s Federal Government handed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education to strengthen teacher training and digital learning, with support from Japan, UNESCO-IICBA, and the African Union. Security Tech in the Lake Chad Basin: Nigeria’s Navy says it arrested a suspected terrorist logistics collaborator after a tactical drone surveillance mission near Lake Chad. Health in Conflict Zones: MSF reports 116 wounded people treated at Tiné Hospital from intensified drone strikes near the Chad-Sudan border, with severe burns and blast injuries. Language Policy in Chad: Chad’s move to give Standard Arabic equal status to French in schools is framed as a political shift with big implications for identity and power. Justice System Pressure: Afrobarometer survey data ranks Nigeria among the continent’s worst for public confidence in courts and perceived fairness. Banking Regulation & Innovation: CABS met in Yaoundé to discuss how regulators can manage risks from digital finance and new financial instruments.

Digital Infrastructure & Cybersecurity: Chadian delegation met Cybastion to discuss digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, signaling growing regional focus on tech capacity. Education Tech: Nigeria’s UNESCO-IICBA/Japan-backed ICT push delivered laptops, tablets, smart boards and more to 15 colleges of education across West Africa including Chad, aiming to boost teacher training and girls’ access to quality learning. Banking Regulation: Cameroon’s Yaoundé hosted the Community of African Banking Supervisors meeting, with regulators (including Chad via CEMAC) stressing prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments reshape risk. Border Security & Medical Response: MSF reported intensified drone strikes near the Chad-Sudan border, treating 116 wounded at Tiné Hospital since May began, with women and children increasingly among casualties. Language Policy in Schools: Chad moved to give Standard Arabic equal status to French in education, a shift tied to politics and identity across the country’s multilingual landscape. Lake Chad Counter-Terror Ops: Nigeria’s Navy said a tactical drone SR mission helped arrest a suspected terrorist collaborator in the Lake Chad area. Korea-Africa Cooperation: South Korea held talks with Chad on expanding education, healthcare and development assistance as diplomatic ties mark 65 years.

Humanitarian Tech & Border Security: MSF says drone strikes near the Chad-Sudan border have sent 116 wounded to Tiné Hospital since May, with 69 admissions between 17–26 May and a strike hitting Tina market’s cafeteria on 24 May. Digital Learning in the Region: Nigeria’s education ministry handed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education to boost teacher training and digital literacy across West Africa, including Chad. Finance Regulation & Innovation: Cameroon hosted the CABS meeting in Yaoundé, with regulators focusing on how digital finance and new instruments change prudential risk management across CEMAC (including Chad). Cyber-Defense & Infrastructure Links: South Korea held talks with Chad on expanding cooperation in education, healthcare, and development assistance, while also pushing business ties elsewhere in Africa. Energy/Industry Skills: PTDF began training 35 researchers in computational catalysis to reduce reliance on foreign expertise—one participant is from Chad.

Border Health Crisis: MSF says drone strikes near Tina, on the Chad-Sudan border, have intensified since May, treating 116 wounded at Tiné Hospital and 69 admissions between 17–26 May, with women and children increasingly among casualties. Banking & Fintech Oversight: Regulators from across Africa met in Yaoundé (June 4–5) under CABS to strengthen prudential cooperation as digital finance and new instruments raise fresh risks. Education Tech Push (West & Central Africa): Nigeria’s education ministry, with Japan and UNESCO-IICBA support, handed ICT gear to 15 colleges of education to boost teacher training and digital learning. Security Tech in Lake Chad: Nigeria’s Navy reports a drone-assisted SR mission leading to the arrest of a suspected terrorist collaborator in the Lake Chad area. Language Policy in Chad: Chad’s education ministry moves Standard Arabic to equal status with French in schools, a shift tied to politics and identity. South Korea–Chad Ties: Seoul urged deeper cooperation with Chad in education, healthcare, and development assistance as both mark 65 years of relations. Climate/Carbon Markets: Karbon-X CEO Chad Clovis will present June 4 at a virtual investor conference focused on carbon markets and climate infrastructure.

Colonial Accountability vs. Influence: African leaders renew calls for reparations as France signals a “charm offensive” while still dodging responsibility, even after moves like repealing colonial-era slavery language. Language Policy in Chad: Chad’s education ministry orders Standard Arabic to match French in schools, a shift tied to politics and power between Arabic-speaking elites and Francophone opposition. Digital Learning Push: Nigeria hands ICT gear to 15 Colleges of Education to expand digital literacy and teacher training across West Africa, including Chad. Cyber & Digital Infrastructure Links: A Chadian delegation meets Cybastion to discuss digital infrastructure and cybersecurity via a U.S. program. Maritime Security Tech: Nigeria’s Sea Power For Africa symposium spotlights technology for maritime security and calls for stronger navy coordination. Lake Chad Drone Patrol: Nigeria’s Navy uses a tactical drone to track and arrest a suspected terrorist collaborator in the Lake Chad area. Ethiopia Election Fallout: Ethiopia’s vote is set to favor Abiy Ahmed, but violence and Tigray exclusion raise destabilization risks. South Korea Africa Outreach: Seoul presses Libya for more Korean firms and seeks deeper education/health cooperation with Chad.