AGP Executive Report

Ebola Mobilisation: Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye chaired an AU emergency meeting on the Bundibugyo Ebola response, mobilising US$910m in pledges and pushing for disbursement of US$518m for the joint continental plan within four weeks, as Africa CDC warns of gaps in contact tracing, insecurity and funding. Water & Sanitation Investment: Burundi launched a US$90m World Bank-backed water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika, targeting 615,000 people with new pumping and treatment capacity from 2028. Mining Revenue Scrutiny: In Kayanza, MPs questioned the traceability of revenues from exporting 1,600+ tons of minerals (cassiterite and coltan) from 2006–2015, citing weak public accounting and limited local development. Political Memorial Controversy: A budget-linked plan to transfer Melchior Ndadaye’s remains to the Kiriri national memorial site has sparked opposition over consultation and process. Broadband Costs: Pricing data show Burundi fixed broadband among the world’s most expensive markets at $186.46/month, reflecting infrastructure and competition challenges. Regional Trade & Power: The World Bank approved $1.6bn for East Africa power market integration, while Seacom launched a higher-capacity Nairobi–Kampala route to boost digital commerce. Kiswahili & AI: Burundi will host World Swahili Day and the KAKAMA conference (July 5–7), focusing on Kiswahili’s role in regional integration and AI.

Ebola Response Funding: Burundi’s AU chair Évariste Ndayishimiye convened an emergency meeting that mobilised US$910m in pledges for the DRC–Uganda Bundibugyo Ebola response, with leaders pushing for rapid disbursement of the US$518m Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan within four weeks. Public Health Gaps: Africa CDC warned that despite improvements, contact tracing capacity, insecurity and funding shortfalls are still undermining containment as cases rise across the region. Water & Sanitation Investment: Burundi launched a US$90m World Bank-backed water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika, targeting 615,000 people with new treatment and rural sanitation works from 2028. Mining Revenue Scrutiny: MPs in Kayanza questioned how revenues from 1,600+ tons of exported minerals were recorded and where benefits reached local communities. Governance & Social Pressure: A presidential prayer in Muyinga is drawing backlash over alleged imposed contributions and forced mobilisation amid economic hardship. Connectivity for Business: Seacom launched a Nairobi–Kampala route adding capacity for East African digital services, supporting telecoms, finance and cloud demand. Regional Language & Tech: Burundi will host World Swahili Day and the KAKAMA conference on Kiswahili, multilingualism and AI, linking language policy to regional integration and technology. Refugee Aid Pressure: Malawi’s refugee situation worsened as donor funding cuts left government and WFP support reduced, pushing thousands toward hunger and insecurity.

Ebola Response Funding: Burundi’s AU chair Évariste Ndayishimiye helped mobilize US$910m in pledges for the DRC-Uganda Bundibugyo Ebola push, with leaders urging release of the full US$518m plan within four weeks as Africa CDC warns of contact-tracing and funding gaps. Public Health & Borders: WHO and UNHCR say the outbreak is spreading across borders and threatening over two million displaced people, while Africa CDC calls for stronger exit screening at airports and crossings without blanket travel bans that can backfire. Burundi Governance & Costs: MPs and citizens are questioning how mining revenues are recorded and used after 1,600+ tons were exported from Kabarore (2006–2015), and a presidential prayer in Muyinga is sparking backlash over alleged forced contributions amid an economic squeeze. Infrastructure for Growth: Burundi launched a $90m clean water project near Lake Tanganyika (World Bank co-financing) targeting 615,000 people, while Seacom rolled out a higher-capacity Nairobi–Kampala digital route to support trade and financial services. Regional Business & Integration: EAC has started citizen consultations in Rwanda for the proposed Political Federation, and Burundi will host World Swahili Day and KAKAMA talks on Kiswahili’s role in AI and regional integration.

Ebola Response & Public Health Funding: Burundi’s AU chair Évariste Ndayishimiye convened an emergency meeting to speed up the Bundibugyo Ebola fight in DR Congo and Uganda, mobilising US$910m in pledges and pushing for disbursement of the US$518m joint response plan within four weeks as cases rise to 894 and deaths pass 200, with Africa CDC warning of gaps in contact tracing, insecurity and funding. Water & Infrastructure: Burundi launched a US$90m clean water and sanitation project co-financed by the World Bank, targeting about 615,000 people around Lake Tanganyika with works starting now and improved services expected from 2028. Mining Revenue Scrutiny: In Kayanza, MPs questioned how 1,600+ tons of exported minerals (cassiterite and coltan) from 2006–2015 were accounted for, pressing for clearer public records and better local development impact. Local Governance & Social Pressure: In Muyinga, a presidential prayer sparked backlash over alleged imposed contributions and forced mobilisation amid an economic crisis. Regional Trade & Connectivity: Seacom launched a higher-capacity Nairobi–Kampala network route to support growing digital services and cross-border commerce. EAC Integration: The EAC began citizen consultations in Rwanda for drafting a constitution for the proposed EAC Political Federation, with Burundi already among the countries that held consultations. Currency Watch: A new snapshot of weak African currencies put Burundi among the countries needing over 2,000 local units to buy $1.

Ebola Response: Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye chaired an AU emergency push for the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda, mobilising US$910m in pledges and urging fast disbursement of the US$518m joint plan within four weeks, while Africa CDC warns operational gaps like limited contact tracing, insecurity and funding shortfalls. Humanitarian Pressure: UNHCR says Ebola is threatening over 2 million displaced people in eastern DR Congo, with fear and misinformation delaying access to care. Regional Trade & Connectivity: Seacom launched a high-capacity Nairobi–Kampala terrestrial route, designed to scale up to 30Tbps, supporting telecoms, finance, cloud services and cross-border commerce. Water & Public Health: Burundi launched a US$90m water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika, targeting 615,000 people with improved services from 2028. Regional Integration: The EAC began citizen consultations in Rwanda for drafting the bloc’s Political Federation constitution, with Burundi already part of the process. Business & Industry: Mansour Group is in talks to set up a lorry assembly plant in Tanzania, aiming to tap regional logistics growth.

Ebola Response Funding: Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye, chairing an AU emergency meeting, helped mobilise US$910m in pledges for the Ebola Bundibugyo response in DRC and Uganda, including US$80m from African member states, as leaders backed a US$518m joint plan to be mobilised within four weeks. Health System Pressure: Africa CDC says the death toll has topped 200 and the outbreak has reached 894 cases and 204 deaths, warning that contact-tracing capacity, insecurity and funding gaps are still undermining containment. Cross-Border Containment: Africa CDC also pushed stronger exit screening at airports, seaports and major land crossings—while warning that blanket travel bans can backfire and make spread harder to stop. Burundi Water & Sanitation: Burundi launched a US$90m clean water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika, targeting 615,000 people with improved water services from 2028. Energy & Power: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, adding 17MW to the national grid after nearly 12 years of work. Regional Business & Connectivity: Seacom launched a higher-capacity Nairobi–Kampala network route, activating 1Tbps and designed to scale up to 30Tbps to support digital commerce and financial services.

Ebola Emergency Funding: Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda has reached 894 cases and 204 deaths, warning that operational gaps—especially limited contact tracing, insecurity and funding shortfalls—could worsen the crisis; AU and partners have mobilized USD 910m in pledges for the response, including USD 80m from African member states, with leaders urging rapid disbursement of a USD 518m joint plan. Ebola Response Policy: Africa CDC also mandates stronger exit screening at airports, seaports and major land crossings, while warning that blanket travel bans can backfire. Burundi Water & Sanitation: Burundi launched a $90m World Bank-backed clean water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika, targeting 615,000 people and aiming for improved services from 2028. Burundi Power Sector: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, adding 17MW after nearly 12 years of work. Regional Power Integration: The World Bank approved a $1.6bn 10-year programme to integrate Eastern Africa power markets and expand electricity access under Mission 300. Digital Connectivity: Seacom launched a Nairobi–Kampala network route with 1Tbps capacity designed to scale to 30Tbps, supporting telecoms, finance and digital commerce. EAC Political Federation Consultations: The EAC began citizen consultations in Rwanda for drafting a new constitution for the proposed Political Federation, after similar exercises in Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. Anti-Corruption Research: Kenya’s EACC launched Africa’s first anti-corruption studies and research centre in Nairobi, calling for cross-border cooperation against illicit financial flows. Diplomacy: Former Nigeria INEC chair Mahmood Yakubu officially resumed duty as ambassador to Qatar, with reception involving Qatari officials and 13 African ambassadors.

Water & Sanitation Investment: Burundi launched a $90m clean water and sanitation project near Lake Tanganyika in Ruziba, co-financed by the World Bank and the government, targeting about 615,000 people from 2028 with a 60,000 m³/day pumping and treatment plant plus rural water and sanitation upgrades. Ebola Response & Border Measures: Africa CDC says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak across DRC and Uganda has hit 894 confirmed cases and 204 deaths in a month, and is pushing AU members to strengthen exit screening at airports, seaports and major land crossings while warning that blanket travel bans can backfire. Regional Funding Push: A high-level AU push is mobilizing resources for a $518m response plan; the EU announced Ksh74.1bn (€493m), the US said it has provided $375m (about Sh48bn) for Africa’s Ebola response, and South Africa pledged to raise its contribution to $13.5m. Energy & Power Access: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, adding 17MW after nearly 12 years, while the World Bank/AfDB reported “Mission 300” has connected 50m people to electricity across 40 countries. Digital Connectivity: Seacom launched a high-capacity terrestrial network route linking Nairobi and Kampala to ease capacity constraints and support the region’s growing cloud, finance and cross-border trade demand. Anti-Fraud in Banking: KCB dismissed 60+ staff tied to insider fraud and account manipulation, highlighting internal control risks across its East Africa operations including Burundi.

Ebola Response Mobilisation: Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye urged the world to follow science over fear as Africa CDC warned the Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC and Uganda could become the worst ever; leaders backed a $518m joint plan, with South Africa raising its pledge to US$13.5m and the EU adding Ksh74.1bn for medical, humanitarian and vaccine research support. Regional Integration & Governance: The East African Community started citizen consultations in Rwanda to draft a Constitution for the proposed EAC Political Federation, the next step after the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union. Energy & Investment: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe Hydropower Plant, adding 17MW to the national grid after nearly 12 years, supported by partners including the World Bank, AfDB and EU. Macroeconomy Signals: A new report flags several East African currencies—including Burundi’s—among Africa’s weakest, reflecting import dependence and economic fragility. Electricity Access Push: World Bank and AfDB said Mission 300 has connected 50m+ people to power across 40 countries, aiming for 300m by 2030.

Ebola Response Mobilised: Burundi’s AU chair Évariste Ndayishimiye urged science over fear, warning against border closures as cases in DR Congo and Uganda top 800 with deaths nearing 200; Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya says it could become the “worst ever” if transmission isn’t stopped fast. Regional Funding Push: South Africa raised its Ebola pledge to US$13.5m, while Zimbabwe added US$1m to Africa CDC, as leaders backed a $518m continental response plan. Energy for Growth: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe hydropower plant, adding 17MW to the grid after nearly 12 years, while the World Bank/AfDB’s Mission 300 reported 50m+ new electricity connections across 40 countries. Anti-Fraud Banking: KCB fired 60+ staff over insider fraud and account manipulation, highlighting internal control risks across East Africa’s banking sector. Trade & Connectivity: Tanzania and DR Congo signed a three-year deal to boost passenger and cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, aiming to improve regional trade efficiency. Humanitarian Pressure: Aid cuts tied to World Refugee Day are pushing displaced children toward hunger, school dropout and early marriage.

Hydropower & Energy: Burundi inaugurated the Mulembwe Hydropower Plant, adding 17MW to the national grid after nearly 12 years of work, with local jobs and skills training supported by partners including the World Bank, AfDB, EIB and the EU. Electricity Access: The World Bank and AfDB say their Mission 300 has connected over 50 million Africans to electricity across 40 countries, pushing progress toward the 2030 goal and highlighting power’s role in jobs, health and enterprise. Ebola Response (AU-led): AU leaders, with Burundi’s President Ndayishimiye convening, rallied support for a $518m Ebola response plan as Africa CDC warns the Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC could become the continent’s worst; South Africa also pledged to raise its contribution to $13.5m. Banking & Fraud: KCB Group dismissed 60 staff in an insider-fraud crackdown involving unauthorized access and customer account manipulation, underscoring tighter internal controls as a business risk. Migration Pressure: As South Africa’s 30 June deadline for undocumented migrants nears, reports describe intimidation and fear among displaced families, raising humanitarian and economic spillover concerns for the region.

Ebola Response Funding: African leaders, including Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, rallied behind a $518M plan to curb Ebola spread in East Africa, with South Africa pledging to raise its contribution to $13.5M as cases and deaths rise. Power & Investment: The World Bank and AfDB say Mission 300 has connected over 50 million Africans to electricity across 40 countries, pushing the continent toward 300 million connections by 2030. Banking & Fraud Controls: KCB Group fired 60 staff in a major insider-fraud crackdown across East Africa, highlighting weak internal controls as fraud incidents hit 201 in 2025. Burundi Fiscal Outlook: Burundi plans to boost government spending next fiscal year by about one-quarter, backed by higher mining revenues and more diversified exports. Trade & Logistics: Tanzania and DRC agreed to strengthen cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, aiming to improve regional trade efficiency. EAC Parliamentary Games: Arusha will host the 2026 EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games in December after EALA was awarded the hosting rights. Humanitarian Pressure: Refugees in Malawi’s Dzaleka camp face deeper hardship as World Food Programme funding is set to end after August. Midwives Visa Snag: Visa denials for key midwifery experts in Portugal threaten progress on saving mothers and babies, including speakers from Burundi and Uganda.

AU Ebola Coordination: Egypt’s AU mission proposes postponing key AU meetings in Alamein after Ebola-related health assessments, likely pushing a diplomatic clash over South Africa’s anti-immigrant protests to at least October. Burundi AU Leadership: In Bujumbura, AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf meets President Évariste Ndayishimiye ahead of a high-level AU Ebola summit, briefing on continental response priorities. Banking Fraud Crackdown: KCB Group dismisses 60+ staff in a major insider-fraud purge tied to unauthorized access and customer account manipulation across East Africa, renewing pressure on internal controls. EAC Trade Facilitation: The East African Business Council urges Tanzania and Burundi to publish a clear list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime to cut delays and help women and youth traders. Burundi Fiscal Outlook: Burundi plans to raise government spending next fiscal year by about one-quarter, supported by extra mining revenues and export diversification. Health & Business Governance: CRDB Bank’s CEO Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela officially earns a PhD from UNISA, while CRDB Wellness Day draws 800 staff to promote healthier work-life balance.

UN Diplomacy: The UN General Assembly held its 5th interactive dialogue with Maria Fernanda Espinosa, a candidate for the next UN secretary-general, as she outlined plans to deliver results across peace and security, human rights, and development. Food Security & Trade: A new push highlights how potatoes can boost nutrition and resilience in sub-Saharan Africa, while a separate report warns that inflation is eroding purchasing power fast in countries including Burundi. Humanitarian Pressure: Refugees in Malawi’s Dzaleka camp face a deeper crisis after food rations were cut to zero beyond August, as global aid freezes bite. Education Under Attack: A report says violent attacks on schools and education rose by over 40% since 2024-25, with major impacts across multiple countries including the DRC. EAC Business & Border Rules: The East African Business Council urges Tanzania and Burundi to publish a clear list of goods covered under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime to reduce delays and help small traders. Burundi Finance & Economy: Burundi plans to raise government spending next fiscal year by about one-quarter, backed by higher mining revenues and more diversified exports. Banking & People: CRDB Bank held a Wellness Day for 800+ staff, promoting exercise and work-life balance, while its CEO Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela officially received a PhD from UNISA. Health Funding: The US announced an extra $20m to strengthen Ebola preparedness in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan, targeting surveillance, testing, border screening and infection control.

Lake Tanganyika Trade Boost: Tanzania’s Tashico and the DRC’s LMC signed a three-year deal to strengthen passenger and cargo transport on Lake Tanganyika, with chartered vessels first and plans for joint ship ownership to improve the regional trade corridor. Burundi Budget Push: Burundi plans to raise government spending next fiscal year by about a quarter, backed by extra mining revenues and more diversified export earnings. Ebola Preparedness Funding: The U.S. added Ksh2.59bn (US$20m) for Ebola readiness in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, targeting surveillance, lab testing, border screening, infection control and medical supplies. EAC Regional Business Rules: The East African Business Council urged Tanzania and Burundi to publish a clear list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime to cut delays and help small traders, especially women and youth. Banking Leadership & Staff Wellness: CRDB Bank held a Wellness Day for 800+ employees and its CEO, Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela, officially received a PhD from UNISA, linking governance and financial performance research to bank resilience. Cross-Border Transport Watch: A report flags environmental risks from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), warning of impacts on wildlife corridors, water security and livelihoods.

Banking & People: CRDB Bank held a Wellness Day in Dar es Salaam, bringing 800 staff for health screenings, fitness sessions and team games, with CEO Dr Abdulmajid Nsekela also officially receiving his PhD from UNISA. Public Finance: Burundi plans to raise government spending next fiscal year by about a quarter, backed by extra mining revenues and export diversification. Trade Facilitation: The East African Business Council urges Tanzania and Burundi to publish a clear list of commonly traded goods under the EAC Simplified Trade Regime, saying unclear rules are hurting women and youth traders at borders. Regional Health Security: The U.S. added Ksh2.59bn (US$20m) to Ebola preparedness in Kenya and three other East African countries, including Burundi, to strengthen surveillance, testing, border screening and infection control. Cross-Border Risk: A report warns the East African Crude Oil Pipeline could threaten wetlands and wildlife corridors as construction nears completion. Business Climate Tech: Google expanded Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, adding more AI search help across Africa.