AGP Executive Report

AI Policy in Action (Rwanda): Rwanda’s cabinet has approved the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency to speed up AI development, innovation, adoption, investment, and ethical governance, building on the 2023 National AI Policy. Regional Tech & Finance: East Africa’s digital customs push is helping speed up cross-border trade, while Singapore is set to negotiate a free trade agreement with the EAC bloc (including Rwanda) to open up growth areas like the digital economy. Tax Tech (West Africa): WATAF says West African tax administrations are modernizing with digital transformation to better mobilize revenue, and is exploring regional tools to tax the digital economy. Health Tech (Ebola): The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 515 confirmed cases and 91 deaths, with the Bundibugyo strain spreading and lacking a licensed vaccine or specific therapy. Agritech Biotech (Rwanda-linked training): Zimbabwe dispatched a delegation to Rwanda for specialized training in rabbit artificial insemination to boost productivity using reproductive biotechnology. Global Context (Conflict Data): New studies report record global conflict levels in 2025, with sharp rises in civilian deaths—highlighting why health and humanitarian systems need stronger tech and preparedness.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo has hit 515 confirmed Ebola cases and 91 deaths, with the rare Bundibugyo strain spreading into Uganda and no approved vaccine or targeted treatment—prompting a $518m emergency response as teams battle transmission amid conflict and weak healthcare. HIV Prevention Integration Warning: Experts warn that moving HIV prevention into mainstream health systems could weaken access for the most vulnerable if public services are underfunded or stigmatizing, as Rwanda and other countries debate how to keep targeted HIV approaches while securing sustainable funding. Cancer Care Capacity in Africa: Merck Foundation, with African First Ladies and health ministries, is expanding oncology training across multiple countries to grow the first generation of African oncologists and cancer care teams, alongside World Cancer Day 2026 awareness efforts. Electric Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m in equity to scale electric vehicle and battery-swapping infrastructure across African markets including Rwanda, aiming to boost industrial capacity and technology development. Rwanda-US Space Cooperation: Rwanda is seeking deeper cooperation with the U.S. space agency NASA as interest in space exploration grows. Global Conflict Spike: A new study reports 65 state-based conflicts worldwide in 2025—the highest since 1946—along with a sharp rise in civilian deaths, underscoring the wider instability affecting health and tech progress.

Rwanda Skills & Jobs: Rwanda’s Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva says wage growth should follow productivity, warning that raising pay without better output can hurt jobs and businesses. Ebola Preparedness (Rwanda): Rwanda says it’s ready for any Ebola threat, citing activated response teams, lab strain detection, treatment centers, and simulations while monitoring outbreaks in DRC and Uganda. Ebola Response (East Africa): EAC ministers back a coordinated Ebola plan focused on cross-border surveillance and harmonised protocols, but funding gaps and who pays remain a sticking point. AI in Africa (Languages): A report highlights how African developers are using Chinese open-source AI models to build language tools for local tongues—faster and cheaper to train. Vaccine Research (Africa): Institut Pasteur launches ACT-CHIK, a €15.3m EU-funded project to advance a chikungunya vaccine through large clinical trials and prepare manufacturing in Africa. Health Data & Rights (US-Rwanda included): Human Rights Watch warns US health aid deals may trade access to sensitive health data and pathogen samples for assistance, raising privacy and equity concerns. Tech Policy (Ghana): Ghana moves toward online age verification for adult content, sparking privacy and surveillance debates. Space/Tech (Rwanda): Rwanda seeks deeper cooperation with the US space agency NASA, aiming to expand space exploration ties.

Rwanda Skills Push: Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva says Rwanda’s wage debate should shift to productivity—building a more skilled workforce to create more value and sustain better-paying jobs. Ebola Readiness: Rwanda says it’s ready for any Ebola threat with surveillance, lab detection, contact tracing, treatment centers and drills, while urging hygiene and reporting as outbreaks continue in DRC and Uganda. Biomass Pressure: A new study warns charcoal and firewood demand is driving forest loss and health risks across several countries, including Rwanda’s Kigali, which relies on surrounding rural extraction. Peacekeeping Spotlight: A SIPRI report highlights East Africa’s outsized role in global peace missions even as troop deployments and funding decline. AI Ethics Call: Ace Ankomah urges African youth to pair AI innovation with ethics and character as AI reshapes economies and politics. Health Tech Fundraising: Rotary Club Kigali Golf targets US$250,000 for advanced urology equipment at CHUK, aiming to expand specialized care at home. Regional Tech Education: Carnegie Mellon’s Afretec network adds Addis Ababa Science and Technology University as its 10th partner, strengthening pan-African engineering and digital collaboration.

Ebola Preparedness in Rwanda: Rwanda says it’s ready to respond to any potential Ebola outbreak without disrupting daily life, with activated response teams, public awareness, lab strain detection, contact tracing, and treatment centres running simulations. Media & Democracy: Ghana’s minority leader and communications minister both urged stronger protection for journalists and tighter cooperation to fight misinformation, warning that irresponsible media can inflame division—drawing lessons from Rwanda’s genocide. Health Risk Beyond Borders: New U.S. analysis warns Central Africa’s Ebola outbreak could reach 20,000 cases if isolation and public health measures lag, as officials cite uncertain surveillance in conflict zones. Forestry & Household Energy: A study links charcoal and firewood dependence in Rwanda and other countries to rising forest loss and health risks, driven by growing urban demand. Rwanda Tech & Education Links: Carnegie Mellon’s Afretec network adds Addis Ababa Science and Technology University as its 10th partner, expanding university collaboration for digital growth across Africa. Healthcare Tech Fundraising (Kigali): Rotary Club Kigali Golf targets US$250,000 for a Holmium Laser Medical System for CHUK to expand advanced urology care in Rwanda.

Ebola Response Escalates: WHO and Africa CDC rolled out a $518m, six-month plan to contain the fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighboring Uganda, focusing on surveillance, lab testing, contact tracing, border screening, and community engagement. Ebola Forecasts Worry Health Officials: A new CDC analysis warns the outbreak could reach 20,000 cases or more without strong public health interventions, as data gaps in conflict zones make progress harder to track. Rwanda Tech & Health: Rotary Club Kigali Golf launched a drive to raise US$250,000 for a Holmium Laser Medical System for CHUK to expand advanced urology care at home. AI Governance Push: A new piece argues Africa needs stronger AI governance frameworks to turn AI ambitions into real, safe development. Education Reform Reality Check: Ghana’s learner-centred curriculum push is running into classroom overcrowding and exam pressures that still reward memorisation. ICT Exports Spotlight: Sparc Systems unveiled a roadmap to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, citing growth from about US$70m (2020) to US$154m (2023). Rwanda in Space News: Rwanda seeks deeper cooperation with the US on space exploration.

Rwanda Health Tech: Rwanda’s medical drone delivery push is highlighted again, with the country’s Zipline partnership credited for cutting “last-mile” supply times to minutes and improving access to blood, vaccines, and emergency medicines in remote areas. Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC rolled out a $518m, six-month Ebola plan for DRC and Uganda, while US CDC modelling warns Central Africa’s outbreak could reach 20,000 cases without strong public health interventions. Digital Economy & Exports: Sparc Systems unveiled a blueprint to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, pointing to growth from about $70m (2020) to $154m (2023). AI & Infrastructure: Ghana’s AI ambitions gain momentum, but energy reliability is flagged as the make-or-break factor for data centres. EV Investment: Spiro’s $215m push aims to expand electric mobility and energy infrastructure across Africa. Policy & Governance: Moody’s notes Rwanda and a few peers are reducing informality, while broader governance concerns keep resurfacing across the region.

Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC rolled out a $518m, six-month plan to contain a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and neighboring Uganda, focusing on surveillance, testing, contact tracing, border screening, and community engagement. Rwanda Tech in Healthcare: Rwanda’s drone delivery model is highlighted as a proven way to get blood and medical supplies to remote facilities in minutes, reshaping last-mile care. Digital Exports Push: Sparc Systems unveiled a blueprint to scale Malawi’s ICT services exports across Africa, citing growth from about $70m (2020) to $154m (2023) and urging faster scaling. AI + Power Reality Check: Ghana’s AI ambitions are gaining momentum, but the reporting stresses energy reliability as the make-or-break factor for data centres. EV Investment: Spiro secured $215m to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping infrastructure across Africa. Tourism Policy: Ghana’s new e-visa platform could boost tourism and trade, but analysts warn high visa fees for non-Africans may hurt competitiveness. Research & Methods: A global study argues food shocks hit hardest when they stack with bad harvest timing, with energy price spikes doing major damage.

Ebola Response in Focus: WHO and Africa CDC rolled out a $518m, six-month plan to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC and neighboring Uganda, with emphasis on surveillance, testing, contact tracing, border screening, and community engagement. Healthcare on the Frontline: Reports from Ituri describe hospitals lacking Ebola tests and adequate protective gear, with clinicians saying they “live with fear” as patients die. Regional Coordination: East African Community health ministers agreed to harmonise Ebola protective measures and screening at airports, ports, and land borders, and set up a regional technical taskforce to coordinate the response. Rwanda’s Tech in Health: Rwanda’s medical drone delivery model—built with Zipline—continues to stand out for cutting “last-mile” supply times to minutes for blood, vaccines, and emergency medicines. Ghana Digital Travel: Ghana’s new e-Visa platform could boost tourism and trade, but analysts warn high visa fees for non-Africans may hurt competitiveness. AI Needs Power: A separate analysis argues Africa’s AI push will hinge on reliable energy for data centres, not just policy ambitions.

Rwanda–US Space Cooperation: Rwanda’s Minister Nduhungirehe says the country is seeking deeper cooperation with the United States in space exploration, signaling a push to build regional capability beyond traditional tech sectors. AI-Driven Banking & Digital Transformation: Huawei and Rwanda’s SYBL Rwanda convened a Kigali conference on how AI and cloud can reshape banking and wider business operations, with Huawei stressing that infrastructure must come first. Rwanda Climate Targets: Rwanda unveiled NDC 3.0, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 53% by 2035 (up from 38% by 2030), and estimates needing about $12bn for 2025–2035. Ebola Response in the Region: East African Community health ministers agreed to harmonise Ebola surveillance and protective measures at borders, and to set up a regional technical task force; the EAC also backed mobile labs and diagnostic support. MWC26 Kigali Postponed: GSMA postponed Africa’s MWC26 Kigali tech event less than two weeks before it was due to start, leaving exhibitors and partners waiting for a new date. Huawei’s AI Bet in Rwanda: After two decades in Rwanda’s digital transformation, Huawei is positioning for the next phase—intelligent technologies for banking and the economy. Ebola Frontline Reality (DRC): Reports from eastern Congo describe hospitals lacking tests and protective gear, with healthcare workers saying they “live with fear” as cases rise. Fulbright Great Lakes Monitoring: Fulbright Scholar Anthony Vodacek plans a sensor-network plan to monitor the African Great Lakes, aiming to close long-standing environmental data gaps. Visa & Travel Tech (Regional): Ghana launched an e-Visa system and eased visa rules for Africans, while Rwanda’s broader regional integration push continues through lower travel barriers.

Ebola Response (EAC): EAC health ministers agreed to harmonise Ebola surveillance and protective measures at airports, ports and land borders, and set up a Regional Technical Taskforce to coordinate the response across partner states. Ebola Response (Funding & Labs): Germany’s KfW pledged Ksh150m (€1m) to support mobile laboratories, diagnostic supplies and lab training for the regional Ebola effort. Ebola Reality Check (WHO): WHO says the DRC outbreak “had a big head start” and Congo is “catching up,” as testing improves but contact tracing still lags amid militant violence. Tech & Connectivity (Rwanda): GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, leaving exhibitors and partners waiting for a new date after the event was scheduled for 16 June. Climate (Rwanda): Rwanda launched NDC 3.0, targeting a 53% emissions cut by 2035 (up from 38% by 2030) and estimating about $12bn financing needs to deliver the plan. Education Tech (Rwanda’s model): Sierra Leone’s education minister visited Kigali to learn from Rwanda’s digital assessment system and data-driven reforms. EV Mobility (Pan-Africa, incl. Rwanda): Spiro secured $215m equity to expand battery-swapping electric mobility across Africa, including markets already operating in Rwanda. Water & Environment (Great Lakes sensing): Fulbright Scholar Anthony Vodacek plans a sensor-network plan for continuous monitoring across the African Great Lakes, aiming to close long-standing environmental data gaps.

Ebola Response in Congo: WHO says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak “had a big head start” and Congo is still “catching up,” even as lab testing improves; confirmed cases and deaths remain high and militant attacks are disrupting contact tracing and care. Cross-Border Health Readiness: The U.S. announced a $162m+ regional Ebola response, boosting border screening and disease surveillance with partners including IOM across countries such as Rwanda, DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Ebola at the Community Level: In eastern Congo’s war zone, religious sisters and church workers describe how Ebola fears are colliding with displacement, hunger, and overcrowded camps. EV Investment for Rwanda’s Region: Spiro secured $215m equity to expand battery-swapping EV infrastructure across Africa, including Rwanda, with plans to grow manufacturing and add new markets like DRC and Ethiopia. Rwanda’s Education Tech Influence: Sierra Leone’s education minister visited Kigali to study Rwanda’s digital assessment system and data-driven reforms led by NESA. Nuclear Safety Cooperation: Pakistan and Rwanda signed an MoU to strengthen nuclear safety and radiation protection, including information exchange and regulatory best practices. Rwanda-France Genocide Memorial: France and Rwanda unveiled “L’Archive,” a Paris monument honoring the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda Payments Modernisation: Cambodia and Rwanda announced cross-border payment cooperation to improve electronic payments and financial connectivity.

Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO says Congo’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak “had a big head start” and it’s “still behind,” even as testing improves; confirmed cases stand at 344 with 60 deaths, while suspected cases have dropped to 116, and WHO warns limited testing makes the true scale hard to gauge. US Response: Washington announced $162m+ in expanded Ebola assistance and new guidance for Americans potentially exposed, alongside steps to prevent spread. Rwanda-France Tech & Memory: Rwanda and France marked the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi with the Paris memorial “L’Archive,” designed by Grada Kilomba, as Kagame and Macron emphasized truth and justice. EV Infrastructure (Rwanda-linked): Pan-African EV/battery-swapping firm Spiro raised $215m equity to expand its network; it already operates in Rwanda and plans further market growth. Nuclear Safety (Rwanda-linked): Pakistan and Rwanda signed an MoU to strengthen nuclear safety and radiation protection cooperation, including lab and regulatory best-practice exchanges. Connectivity (Kigali): GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, Africa’s major mobile tech event, with a new date to be announced.

Cross-Border Payments: Cambodia and Rwanda central banks announced a cross-border payment cooperation to modernize payment systems and boost financial connectivity, trade and tourism, under a 2023 MoU framework. Trade Finance for SMEs: ITC and Equity Group signed an MoU to unlock trade finance and scale support for coffee, leather and creative industries across East Africa, starting with Kenya. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215M in equity to expand battery-swapping and EV/energy infrastructure across seven African markets, aiming to cut transport costs and strengthen energy security. Tech Event Disruption: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, Africa’s major connectivity event, with a new date to be announced. Digital Health Support: Direct Relief delivered pediatric dolutegravir to Rwanda’s Ministry of Health to strengthen child HIV treatment as medicine access shifts. Ebola Response Pressure: Coverage highlights rising Ebola risks across East and Central Africa, with calls for faster detection and stronger community-focused response as cases climb.

Ebola Watch: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is worsening across East and Central Africa, with experts warning it’s likely far worse than official figures as suspected cases top 1,000 and contact tracing lags. Public Health & Policy: A US plan to open an Ebola quarantine centre in Kenya has triggered protests, legal fights, and renewed debate over sovereignty and global health equity. Rwanda-UK Legal Fallout: An arbitration panel rejected Rwanda’s claim against the UK over the collapsed Rwanda asylum deal, ending a threat of a £100m+ payout. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro raised $215M in equity to scale battery-swapping EV infrastructure across multiple African markets, including Rwanda, aiming to expand networks and manufacturing. Rwanda Tech Event: GSMA postponed MWC26 Kigali, Africa’s major connectivity event, just weeks before opening, with a new date pending. Trade & Finance for SMEs: ITC and Equity Group partnered to unlock trade finance for coffee, leather and creative industries across East Africa. Digital Health/Agri Tech: FAO and Rwanda-linked efforts are pushing rural agriculture digitalisation to improve productivity and market access. Energy & Industry Policy: US EPA refrigerant rule changes delay compliance timelines to 2032, but may raise future refrigerant shortage risks.

Ebola Response in East Africa: Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya warns the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda is especially risky due to lack of licensed vaccines and intense cross-border movement, with suspected cases now topping 1,130 and multiple countries flagged as high risk. Regional Health Coordination: The East African Community (EAC) is holding an emergency health ministers meeting (1–2 June) to coordinate surveillance, lab diagnosis, infection control, risk communication, and even harmonise rules for Ebola vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, including plans for mobile labs at border areas. Clean Mobility Investment: Rwanda-linked e-mobility firm Spiro secured a $215M equity round to scale battery-swapping and EV infrastructure across Africa, expanding its network and manufacturing footprint in markets including Rwanda. Kigali as a Tech & Business Hub: Kigali continues to host major MICE events, including the Inclusive FinTech Forum and Africa CEO Forum, reinforcing the city’s pull for investors and policy leaders. Digital Finance Shift: A new push for China’s digital yuan (e-CNY) is framed as a potential alternative digital financial infrastructure for Africa, challenging Western payment dominance. Energy Security Lens: AfDB urges Africa to diversify its energy mix and markets and fast-track renewable projects to reduce oil import dependence.