AGP Executive Report

LDC Transition Pressure: Nepal has formally asked the UN to delay its Least Developed Country graduation until November 2030, warning that losing LDC trade preferences could hit growth as global shocks and supply-chain disruptions weigh on the economy. EU–Africa Fisheries: The European Parliament approved renewed EU fisheries deals with São Tomé and Príncipe (and the Cook Islands), keeping European tuna and longliner access in the Gulf of Guinea under new sustainability-linked payments. Oil & Gas Momentum: São Tomé and Príncipe launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June and stakes up to 85% offered to operators. Regional Integration Push: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says only four African countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free-movement protocol, holding back intra-Africa trade and mobility. Local Budget Watch: Panaji’s city corporation approved a Rs 107.17 crore surplus budget with no house tax hike and about Rs 25 crore for development works.

EU Fisheries Renewal: The European Parliament has approved renewed EU fisheries deals with the Cook Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping Spanish, French and Portuguese tuna and longliner fleets operating until 2032 in exchange for annual payments tied to sustainable local marine management. Oil & Gas Licensing: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June and stakes up to 85% for companies (15% reserved for the state). Local Budget Watch: Panaji’s city corporation approved a Rs 107.17 crore surplus budget for 2026-27, earmarking nearly Rs 25 crore for development while keeping house tax unchanged—an example of how revenue strategy and spending priorities shape service delivery. Sports Media Rights: The IOC signed an FTA broadcast deal for sub-Saharan Africa for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 (plus the French Alps 2030 Winter Games), starting with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics. AfCFTA Mobility Gap: A new report flags that only four countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, holding back intra-Africa trade and mobility.

EU Fisheries Renewals: The European Parliament approved renewed EU fisheries protocols with the Cook Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping Spanish, French and Portuguese tuna and longliner vessels operating until 2032 in exchange for annual payments aimed at supporting sustainable local marine management. Olympics Media Rights: The IOC signed a sub-Saharan Africa free-to-air broadcast deal for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 (plus the French Alps 2030 Winter Games), with Marketing & Media Solutions set to distribute coverage across 44 countries starting with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics. Local Budget Watch: In Panaji, the city corporation kept house taxes unchanged while setting aside nearly Rs 25 crore for development works—an example of how revenue choices shape service delivery. Oil & Gas Focus: São Tomé and Príncipe launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, with bids due 30 June and stakes up to 85% offered to operators. Regional Integration Push: A Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says only four countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, holding back intra-Africa mobility and trade.

EU Fisheries Renewal: The European Parliament has approved renewing EU fisheries deals with the Cook Islands and São Tomé and Príncipe, keeping Spanish, French and Portuguese tuna and longliner vessels operating in the Pacific and the Gulf of Guinea through 2032, with EU payments tied to sustainable local marine management. Olympics Media Rights: The IOC has signed a sub-Saharan Africa broadcast-rights deal for LA 2028, Brisbane 2032 and the 2030 Alps Winter Games, with Marketing & Media Solutions set to distribute free-to-air coverage across 44 countries starting with the Dakar Youth Olympics. AfCFTA Momentum vs. Mobility Bottlenecks: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says intra-Africa trade could jump to 53% if AfCFTA is fully implemented, but progress is being held back by slow ratification of the AU Free Movement of Persons Protocol—only Mali, Niger, Rwanda and São Tomé and Príncipe have ratified it. Oil & Gas Licensing: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater Gulf of Guinea blocks west of the islands, with bids due by 30 June.

Olympics Rights Deal: The IOC has signed a new free-to-air broadcast agreement for the 2028–32 cycle in sub-Saharan Africa, with Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) set to distribute rights across 44 countries for Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and the French Alps 2030 Winter Games—starting with the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tome & Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands (Blocks 7, 8 and 9), offering up to 85% stakes to bidders, with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 submission payment. Regional Mobility Push: A Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says AfCFTA gains are being held back by slow political action on free movement—only Mali, Niger, Rwanda, and Sao Tome & Príncipe have ratified the 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol, limiting intra-Africa travel and trade. Local Business Angle: Neves Licensing Authority says digital finance is driving demand for new, specialized licensing frameworks as fintech expands across borders.

Olympics Broadcast Deal: The IOC has signed a new sub-Saharan Africa free-to-air rights agreement with Marketing & Media Solutions (MMS) for LA 2028, Brisbane 2032, and the French Alps 2030, with coverage starting via the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics and aiming for 200+ hours of Olympic action across 44 countries. Oil & Gas Momentum: Sao Tome & Principe has launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands (Blocks 7, 8, 9), offering up to 85% stakes to bidders, with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 payment. Regional Trade Push (Mobility Gap): A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says intra-Africa commerce could jump to 53% with full AfCFTA rollout, but only four countries—including Sao Tome and Príncipe—have ratified the AU free movement protocol, leaving most Africans facing visa friction. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks for digital finance, fintech, and cross-border online payments.

Oil & Gas Licensing: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in Blocks 7, 8 and 9 (with 15% reserved for the state) and a 30 June bid deadline plus a $25,000 payment; the blocks sit 250–300 km west of Gabon, in waters roughly 2,000–3,500 metres deep, with major operators already active in the deep Gulf of Guinea. Regional Mobility & Trade: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report warns Africa’s integration is being held back by slow political action on free movement, noting only four countries—including São Tomé and Príncipe—have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol, keeping visa-free access low and raising the cost of intra-African commerce. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern, specialized licensing frameworks for digital finance and cross-border fintech, as remote onboarding and cloud-based payments reshape how regulators need to structure oversight. Business Culture & Brand Boost: A Highland Chocolatier from Scotland won four International Chocolate Awards, using single-origin São Tomé cocoa—another reminder that the island’s ingredients are finding global premium markets.

Oil & Gas Licensing: São Tomé and Príncipe has kicked off a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in blocks 7, 8 and 9 (with 15% reserved for the state) and a June 30 bid deadline, as major players like Shell, TotalEnergies, Petrobras, Galp and Kosmos keep eyes on the Gulf of Guinea frontier. Regional Mobility & Trade: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report warns Africa’s integration is being held back by slow political action on free movement—only Mali, Niger, Rwanda and São Tomé and Príncipe have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol—limiting visa-free access and weighing on intra-African commerce. Business & Finance Signals: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern licensing frameworks to match digital finance, cross-border fintech and payment tech growth. Global Context: Separate coverage highlights how China has overtaken the U.S. as the top goods trading partner for most countries, underscoring why commodity-linked economies remain in focus.

Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands (Blocks 7, 8 and 9), with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 payment required; stakes can reach 85% with 15% reserved for the state, and the blocks sit near recent drilling activity by Shell and TotalEnergies. Trade Integration Push: A new Mo Ibrahim Foundation report says intra-Africa commerce could jump to 53% if the AfCFTA is fully implemented, but progress is held back by mobility bottlenecks—only four countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol. Regional Mobility Reality Check: The same report highlights that just 28% of Africans can enter other African countries without a visa, keeping travel costly and slow. Business Spotlight: In a separate win for the country’s brand pull, a Scottish chocolatier’s award-winning truffles use single-origin cocoa from São Tomé. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority flags rising demand for specialized licensing frameworks as fintech expands across borders and platforms.

Free Movement Push: The Mo Ibrahim Foundation says Africa’s integration is stuck: only four of 55 countries have ratified the AU’s 2018 Free Movement of Persons Protocol, with São Tomé and Príncipe among the few—meaning most Africans still face visa hurdles and costly, slow travel that undercuts trade and growth. Oil & Gas: São Tomé and Príncipe has launched a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in Blocks 7, 8 and 9 (state keeps 15%), with bids due 30 June. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority highlights rising demand for modern licensing frameworks for fintech, cross-border payments, and cloud-based financial services. Debt Pressure in the Region: Zimbabwe is flagged among Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, with the report also listing São Tomé and Príncipe—raising the stakes for fiscal stability and creditor engagement across the continent.

Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tome and Principe has kicked off a fast-track licensing round for ultra-deepwater acreage west of the islands, offering stakes up to 85% in Blocks 7, 8 and 9 (with 15% reserved for the state). Bids are due by 30 June, alongside a US$25,000 payment, as major operators already active in the Gulf of Guinea—Shell, TotalEnergies, Petrobras, Galp and Kosmos—watch for new plays after recent mixed results (Shell’s Falcao-1X found no commercial hydrocarbons). Digital Finance Policy: The Neves Licensing Authority says demand is rising for modern, specialized licensing frameworks for digital finance, cross-border fintech, online brokerage and payment tech—pushing regulators to adapt governance and infrastructure rules to cloud-based, interconnected business models. Regional Debt Pressure: Zimbabwe’s slide into a worst-in-Africa debt-distressed group also flags how regional fiscal stress is spreading, with Sao Tome and Principe named in the same broader risk cluster. Global Context: A new book review on Atlantic-world resistance and a separate look at shifting trade ties (China vs. America) round out the week’s wider lens.

Oil & Gas Licensing: Sao Tome and Principe has just launched a fast-track licensing round for three ultra-deepwater blocks west of the islands in the Gulf of Guinea, with bids due by 30 June and a $25,000 submission fee; the state will hold up to 15% reserves while private firms can bid for stakes up to 85%. Frontier Map: Blocks 7 and 8 sit west of Principe (Block 8 south of TotalEnergies areas), while Block 9 lies west/northwest of Sao Tome next to Shell’s Falcao-1X area; water depths range from under 2,000m to about 3,500m. Industry Context: The push follows mixed results in the region, including Galp’s 2022 Jaca-1X petroleum-system find and Shell’s late-2025 Falcao-1X dry outcome. Digital Finance Policy: Separate coverage flags growing demand for modern licensing frameworks for fintech and cross-border payment systems—an issue that could shape how new offshore and digital-linked deals get regulated.

Global Trade Shift: A new look at IMF trade data shows China overtaking the U.S. as the top goods partner for most countries by 2025, reversing the 2000 picture where only 33 countries traded more with China than America. Debt Pressure in the Region: Zimbabwe is flagged among Africa’s most debt-distressed economies, with public and guaranteed debt put around US$23bn—nearly half of GDP—while arrears keep it locked out of concessional markets. Digital Finance Regulation: Sao Tome and Principe’s Neves Licensing Authority says fintech growth is forcing new, specialized licensing frameworks for cross-border online finance, payments tech, and cloud-based operations. Energy & Corporate Risk: Oranto Petroleum is losing exploration blocks in Uganda and South Sudan over insufficient activity, adding to a wider pattern of upstream licence disputes across Africa. Mobility & Passports: Passport rankings keep moving, but access is tightening—Nigeria’s visa-free/visa-on-arrival destinations are down even as its global rank improves. Maritime Security: Senegal hosted multinational boarding and search training under Exercise Obangame Express 2026, aimed at safer, lawful use of the Gulf of Guinea’s waters. Climate Context: Recent coverage also highlights record-warm conditions and rising El Niño-linked risks for food, health, and services across sub-Saharan Africa.

Oil & Licences: Oranto Petroleum, led by Nigerian billionaire Arthur Eze, is losing more exploration ground in Africa after Uganda refused to extend the Ngassa Deep permit and South Sudan declined to renew Oranto’s Block B3 licence, both citing weak exploration activity and triggering moves to recover a $2.4m performance guarantee. Debt Pressure: Zimbabwe’s public debt is flagged as a major risk after a UN/AU/AfDB-backed assessment put it among Africa’s most distressed economies, with debt around US$23bn—about half of GDP—while arrears keep it locked out of concessional markets. Digital Finance Regulation: Sao Tome and Principe’s Neves Licensing Authority says fintech growth is forcing new, specialized licensing frameworks for cross-border digital finance, cloud-based operations, and modern payment ecosystems. Energy Pricing Watch: Petrobras is weighing a gasoline price adjustment but is delaying to avoid losing market share as ethanol prices fall. Mobility & Passports: Passport rankings remain a mixed story across the region, with Nigeria’s rank improving but visa-free access shrinking.

Debt Stress Watch: A new UN/AU/AfDB/UNECA-linked report flags Zimbabwe’s public debt at about US$23bn—nearly half of GDP—pushing it into Africa’s worst distressed cluster and underscoring how arrears keep Harare locked out of concessional funding. Digital Finance Regulation: The Neves Licensing Authority says fintech and cross-border digital finance are outgrowing old licensing categories, calling for frameworks built for scalable operations, clearer governance, and modern tech infrastructure. Energy Pricing Pressure: Petrobras is weighing a gasoline price readjustment but is delaying to protect market share as ethanol prices fall, while diesel pricing remains shaped by external moves and possible subsidies. Global Mobility Signals: Passport rankings show Nigeria’s travel freedom tightening even as ranks shift, and a separate China-vs-US investment snapshot highlights the US as the top destination for Chinese overseas investment since 2005. Climate Risk Background: Ongoing coverage warns El Niño-linked extremes could intensify drought, flooding, and food insecurity—raising pressure on already thin care and health systems.

Digital Finance Regulation: Neves Licensing Authority says fintech’s shift to remote onboarding, cloud systems, and cross-border payment networks is outgrowing old licensing categories—pushing demand for frameworks built for scale, transparency, and modern governance. Energy Pricing Watch: Petrobras is weighing a gasoline price hike but delaying it to avoid losing ground to falling ethanol prices, while diesel pricing remains constrained by external-market gaps and possible subsidy options. Corporate Disclosure: Shell published its 2025 payments-to-governments report under UK rules, adding another data point for how major oil firms disclose state payments. Africa–France Dealmaking: At the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, President William Ruto urged a “win-win” Africa–France partnership based on sovereign equality and investment, not aid or extraction. Mobility Signals: Passport rankings stories keep rolling—Pakistan’s access remains limited, and Nigeria’s rank gains come with fewer visa-free destinations. Maritime Security: Senegal hosted Obangame Express 2026 boarding drills with 17 nations, aimed at safer, lawful use of the maritime economy.