AGP Executive Report

Waste Disaster in Conakry: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide at the Dar Es Salam landfill, Guinea’s largest waste dump, killing at least 30 people (reports also cite 31) and injuring dozens, with rescuers using excavators as authorities said evacuation warnings were widely ignored. Political Solidarity: Former Liberian President George Weah sent condolences to Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya and affected families after the Conakry landfill collapse. Health & Industry Link: A Senegalese lab is producing generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell care for the first time in Africa, aiming to cut dependence on expensive imported medicines across West Africa. Powering Growth: PIDG CEO Philippe Valahu says West Africa’s push for climate-resilient agriculture and energy infrastructure needs better risk-sharing tools to attract private capital. Mining & Logistics Watch: Reuters reports Rusal’s train derailed in Guinea’s Dubreka prefecture, halting alumina exports and disrupting refinery operations, adding to export pressure from shipping disruptions. Regional Policy: ECOWAS tax officials in Conakry reviewed harmonised excise duties on tobacco, focusing on raising revenue while protecting public health.

Waste Disaster in Conakry: Heavy rains triggered a deadly collapse at Dar Es Salam, Guinea’s biggest landfill, killing at least 30 people (with 22 injured) and burying homes and shacks; authorities deployed the military and heavy equipment, and residents said warnings were ignored. Mining & Exports Disruption: Rusal’s train derailed in Guinea’s Dubreka prefecture, halting alumina exports and slowing production at the Friguia refinery, with repairs and assessments underway. Regional Health Policy: In Conakry, ECOWAS tax officials and partners reviewed plans to harmonize excise duties on tobacco, aiming to cut consumption harms while boosting government revenue. Industry Finance Spillover: Guinea-linked names appeared in regional market chatter as investors rotated into fixed-income assets and risk-off trading hit insurers and banks across West Africa.

Industrial Safety & Waste Management: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landfill landslide in Conakry’s Dar Es Salam (Gbessia commune), killing at least 30 people and injuring 22 as refuse buried nearby homes; the site was flagged as unsafe and scheduled for closure/relocation, but evacuation orders were widely ignored. Mining & Logistics Disruption: Reuters reports a Rusal train derailment in Guinea’s Dubreka prefecture derailed alumina rail access to the Friguia refinery, halting alumina exports and forcing reduced-rate production while repairs are assessed. Regional Trade & Investment: Russia and Ghana are pushing to expand trade into production, processing, logistics, mining, energy and infrastructure, after bilateral trade jumped from $247m (2022) to over $850m (2025). Health & Access to Medicines: Swiss non-profit drugmakers say waning global health funding is squeezing development of new treatments, with Guinea-linked disease work highlighted through sleeping sickness diagnostics. Finance (Cross-border context): Nigeria’s NGX extended losses, with banking and insurance stocks driving a N137bn market-cap drop—an indirect signal for investor risk appetite across West Africa.

Disaster in Conakry: Heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide at Dar Es Salam, Guinea’s largest open-air landfill, collapsing a mountain of rubbish onto nearby shacks and tents; Guinea’s government says at least 30 people died, with six seriously injured and others hurt, as excavators and security forces search for survivors and Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site. The tragedy comes days after authorities ordered the landfill’s closure and relocation due to safety risks. Mining & exports disruption: Reuters reports a Rusal-operated aluminium train derailed in Dubreka prefecture, cutting rail access to the Friguia alumina refinery and halting alumina exports, with production continuing at reduced pace while repairs are assessed. Regional security & transport risk: Ghana’s foreign ministry warned pilgrims against overland travel to Senegal, urging flights instead after attacks on convoys along Sahel corridors into Dakar, highlighting how insecurity is reshaping West African logistics. Policy on tobacco revenue & health: ECOWAS tax officials met in Conakry to review harmonised excise duties on tobacco, aiming to protect public health while boosting government revenue.

Waste Disaster in Conakry: Guinea’s capital Conakry is reeling after a massive landfill collapse at Dar Es Salam (Gbessia) killed 30 people early Sunday, with six seriously injured and others hurt, after torrential overnight rains triggered a landslide that buried nearby tents, shacks and homes; the dump had been slated for closure and residents had received eviction notices, but many were still at the site when it fell. Emergency Response & Relocation: Government teams, including excavators and military resources, are continuing search-and-rescue and recovery, while Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited and Minister Dienabou Touré said remaining families will be relocated. Rainy-Season Risk: Officials linked the tragedy to the recurring danger of flash floods and collapses during Guinea’s rainy season, raising fresh questions about how quickly hazardous sites are made safe.

Waste & Safety Crisis: A deadly landslide hit Conakry’s Dar Es Salam, the city’s largest open-air landfill, after torrential rain around 2 a.m., collapsing a massive mound of garbage onto nearby tents and shacks. Casualties & Response: Guinea’s government says 30 people died, with six seriously injured and 16 lightly hurt; rescue teams are still searching and recovering bodies using excavators, while Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site. Policy & Infrastructure Pressure: The dump was scheduled for closure Sunday and residents had received eviction notices, but many remained when the collapse occurred—highlighting how weak urban planning and rainy-season risk keep turning waste management into a public safety emergency. Regional Industry Context: Guinea’s broader development challenge remains stark: despite major bauxite and iron-ore potential, infrastructure gaps and poverty leave communities exposed when basic services fail.

Guinea–Vietnam Cooperation: In Hanoi, Guinea’s Planning ministry and Vietnam’s Finance ministry signed a 3-year MOU to deepen cooperation in planning and development, with bilateral trade reaching $233.16m in 2025. Port & Trade Competition: Liberia moved to grant autonomy to seaports and inland ports to cut logistics costs, but importers still lean toward neighbors like Conakry due to handling charges, corruption risks, and weak inland transport. Maritime Security Debate: A shipping security keynote urged a rethink of protection for merchant vessels as conflict and piracy threats keep shifting across the Gulf of Guinea and other hotspots. Ebola Response Pressure: WHO allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses for DR Congo, including a phase 3 trial for cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain, as the outbreak’s fatality rate climbs and health systems strain. Insurance Sector Update: Nigeria’s NAICOM issued new NIIRA 2025 licences to seven additional verified insurers, including Guinea Insurance Plc, pushing for stronger governance and policyholder protection.

Ebola Response in Focus: WHO has allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses to the DRC as the outbreak worsens, with 20,000 earmarked for a late-stage trial and 50,000 for frontline health workers—while MSF warns Canada’s $8m support lags far behind other donors. Public Health Pressure: Africa CDC says the fatality rate has climbed above 46% and health services are being disrupted, raising the risk the outbreak could be escalated to a higher emergency level. Guinea–Vietnam Cooperation: Guinea’s planning ministry and Vietnam’s finance ministry signed an MoU in Hanoi to deepen institutional cooperation in planning and development, with bilateral trade reported at $233.16m in 2025. Port Efficiency Watch: Liberia moves to grant autonomy to seaports and inland ports to cut logistics costs, but persistent handling charges, corruption, and weak inland transport still push some importers toward Conakry in Guinea. Mining Livelihoods: A report highlights how artisanal miners in Nigeria’s Plateau state chase income despite dangerous pit work—an echo of the broader regional pressures around mining and jobs.

Ebola Response Under Strain: In DR Congo’s worsening Ebola outbreak, frontline health workers in Bunia say they’re afraid to infect families and report unpaid wages, as WHO and partners push emergency measures including new Ervebo vaccine doses and trials aimed at protecting healthcare staff. Insurance & Capital Markets: Nigeria’s NAICOM issued new licences to seven additional insurers cleared under NIIRA 2025 minimum capital rules, while the NGX ended the week lower with cautious sentiment and dividend gaps highlighted across dozens of listed firms. Maritime & Trade Links: Guinea’s regional connectivity gets a boost as Vietnam and Guinea sign a cooperation MOU, and port efficiency remains a theme across West Africa, with Liberia granting port autonomy to cut logistics costs. Mining & Livelihoods: Stories from Nigeria’s mining pits show how informal extraction can fund families despite serious risks, while Guinea’s mining sector also sees deal momentum with new gold exploration moves. Environment & Food Safety: Research in Ghana finds microplastics in fish from the Gulf of Guinea, raising public health concerns tied to plastic waste.

Guinea-Vietnam Deal: Guinea’s planning and finance ministries signed an MoU with Vietnam in Hanoi to deepen cooperation on planning, development and investment, with bilateral trade reaching $233.16m in 2025. Maritime Security & Local Industry: Nigeria’s SEEPCO inducted the SSV Kali 3 security support vessel, built in Nigeria with the Nigerian Navy, as part of a push to fund and deliver maritime protection using indigenous shipbuilding. Ebola Response Pressure: WHO allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses to the DRC as Ebola spreads fast, with Gavi funding shipment and frontline vaccination—while MSF warns Canada’s $8m response is far behind other donors. Port Efficiency Competition: Liberia enacted laws granting autonomy to seaports and inland ports to cut logistics costs, but importers still lean toward neighbors like Conakry due to handling charges, corruption and weak inland transport. Insurance Sector Growth: Nigeria’s NAICOM issued licences to seven additional insurers meeting NIIRA 2025 minimum capital rules, urging better governance and policyholder protection. Food Systems Investment: Leaders will meet in Kigali for the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum (Aug 31–Sep 5) to turn food-systems commitments into investable projects, jobs and resilience.

Ebola Response Pressure: Médecins Sans Frontières says Canada’s $8m support for Congo’s fast-escalating Ebola outbreak is far behind other donors, as cases top 5,100 and officials warn the real scale may be much higher. Vaccine Rollout for DRC: WHO has allocated 70,000 Ervebo doses for the DRC, including 20,000 for a phase 3 trial on cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain and 50,000 for frontline healthcare workers, with Gavi funding shipment and vaccination efforts. Maritime Security Debate: A shipping industry leader argues it’s time to rethink security as merchant shipping faces continuous conflict and new threat patterns across key routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Guinea. Insurance Compliance in West Africa: Nigeria’s NAICOM issued licences to seven additional verified insurers to meet minimum capital rules under NIIRA 2025, pushing stronger governance and policyholder protection. Guinea-Linked Mining Signals: Reports on Simandou’s ramp-up and iron-ore market pressure keep Guinea’s mining project in the spotlight, with analysts flagging supply and pricing impacts. Guinea-Vietnam Cooperation: Guinea and Vietnam signed a ministry-level MOU in Hanoi to expand planning, development and investment cooperation.

Mining & Investment: Guinea’s mining push stays in focus as Resolute and Nimba Mining set up a gold exploration JV in Guinea, while another report says Guinea takes a 50% stake in a new gold venture—signals of continued capital lining up for the sector. Energy & Infrastructure Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector development. Trade & Cooperation: Guinea and Vietnam signed a cooperation MOU in Hanoi to deepen planning and development collaboration, with bilateral trade cited at $233.16m in 2025. Maritime & Security: A Russian-flagged cargo vessel, Patria, is reported stranded off Lagos and linked to Russia’s military logistics network—raising fresh questions for regional shipping oversight. Public Health Watch: WHO warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is far from under control, with fatality rates above 46% and rapid spread threatening wider regional impact.

Maritime Security & Local Industry: Nigeria’s SEEPCO inducted the Nigerian-built SSV Kali 3, the first of 10 Security Support Vessels under a Navy deal—an example of private funding and indigenous shipbuilding aimed at protecting offshore energy assets. Mining & Guinea Link: Rio Tinto coverage keeps attention on Guinea’s Simandou, with analysts flagging how new supply ramp-up could pressure iron-ore prices. Regional Infrastructure Push: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $500m for Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone across roads, healthcare, renewables and private-sector projects—geared to unlock trade and jobs. Finance for SMEs: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group partnered to expand supply chain finance across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, Togo and Guinea, using digital factoring and reverse factoring to speed supplier payments. Ebola Watch (Regional Risk): WHO warned the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” with insecurity and population movement driving spread. Food Security Pressure: Nigeria’s food inflation jumped to 20.31% in July, underscoring how rising input and transport costs are squeezing producers while households struggle.

Guinea Mining & Investment: Guinea is set to deepen state participation in gold after Nimba Mining Gold and Australia’s Resolute Mining agreed a new 50-50 venture, Landaya Gold, to explore and potentially develop gold-bearing areas under the Simandou 2040 program. Regional Infrastructure Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector development. Insurance Sector (Guinea-linked): Nigeria’s NAICOM says its insurance recapitalisation exercise has reached a successful end, clearing the final seven firms and bringing the confirmed capital base to about N810bn—highlighting how capital rules are reshaping regional financial capacity. Trade & Supply Chains: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group partnered to expand digital supply chain finance (reverse factoring and factoring) across five West African markets including Guinea, aiming to unlock working capital for SMEs. Health Watch (Region): WHO warned the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” with insecurity and population movement along roads, rivers and mining routes driving spread.

West Africa Infrastructure Finance: EBID approved $500m+ for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector development—a push meant to cut transport costs and unlock trade. Guinea Mining Deal: Guinea is set to boost gold exploration via a 50-50 JV between Nimba Mining Gold and Resolute Mining under the Landaya Gold venture, linked to the Simandou 2040 program. Digital Trade Finance: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group partnered to expand supply chain finance (reverse factoring and factoring) into Guinea plus four other West African markets, aiming to ease SME working-capital access. Insurance Sector Capital: Guinea Insurance appears among firms benefiting from regional regulatory momentum, as recapitalisation efforts in the wider market push capital compliance and expansion. Food & Cost Pressure (Regional): Nigeria’s inflation eased to 15.43% in July, but food inflation jumped to 20.31%, underscoring ongoing pressure on household purchasing power. Ebola Risk (Regional Health): WHO warned the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” with spread accelerated by insecurity and movement along roads, rivers and mining routes.

Ebola Watch: WHO chief Tedros warns the DRC Ebola outbreak is “far from being under control,” moving faster than ever and risking spread beyond the country as insecurity, displacement and mining-route movement accelerate transmission. Regional Industry Push: UN Economic Commission for Africa urges SADC to turn mineral and farm wealth into industrial output and regional value chains, pointing to battery and higher-value food processing as the path to jobs. Guinea Finance & Trade: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group partner to expand digital supply chain finance across five West African markets including Guinea, aiming to unlock working capital for SMEs via factoring and reverse factoring. Guinea Policy & Tax: ECOWAS holds a Conakry meeting to review tobacco excise duties amid new nicotine products and illicit trade concerns, with WHO and World Bank support. Guinea Mining/Infrastructure: AGL Guinea transports two oversized industrial tanks to the SOBRAGUI plant, signaling ongoing operational scaling. Food & Prices (West Africa context): Nigeria’s headline inflation eases to 15.43% in July, but food inflation jumps to 20.31%, keeping pressure on household demand.