AGP Executive Report

Energy Diplomacy: Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is in Africa (starting in Mauritania) and says Berlin will deepen energy cooperation with Nigeria, citing Nigeria’s growing role in Europe’s jet fuel supply and pushing expanded work on renewables and gas. Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a ~6,900km corridor meant to move up to 30 bcm/year of gas from Nigeria through 13 countries (including Mauritania) to Morocco and onward to Europe—next steps now hinge on implementation and security across the route. Migration & Human Cost: UNHCR reports nearly 150 migrants dead or missing after boats sank or drifted off Mauritania while trying to reach Europe, underscoring the deadly Atlantic smuggling route. Trade/Market Context: Global LNG trade hit a record in 2025, with 2026 facing uncertainty tied to Middle East disruptions—relevant backdrop for West Africa’s gas ambitions. Business/People-to-People: Wadephul also called for stronger education and cultural exchanges with Nigeria, including university partnerships and support for the Goethe-Institut in Lagos.

Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement for the $25bn African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, moving the Nigeria–Morocco project into a clearer implementation phase. The 6,900km hybrid offshore-onshore line is set to carry up to 30 bcm of gas annually across 13 West African countries, with Mauritania included, and link into Morocco’s Maghreb-Europe network toward European markets. Diplomatic Push: Germany’s foreign minister wrapped up a two-day visit to Nigeria, calling for deeper trade and investment ties—especially in IT and start-ups—while also noting Berlin’s focus on Africa amid US, Russia and China pressures. Mauritania Migration Crisis: UNHCR reported nearly 150 migrants dead or missing after boats sank or drifted off Mauritania’s coast, highlighting the deadly Atlantic route used by smugglers. Travel Policy: Lebanon expanded visa-on-arrival eligibility to 13 African countries, including Mauritania, with strict proof-of-funds and onward-travel requirements.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP): ECOWAS heads of state signed the Intergovernmental Agreement in Freetown, formally backing the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline. The project targets up to 30 bcm/year over a ~6,900 km hybrid offshore-onshore route across 13 coastal countries, with 15 bcm earmarked for Morocco and Europe via the existing Morocco–Spain link; next steps include setting up a project company in Casablanca and a Pipeline Higher Authority in Abuja, then mobilising investors and moving toward a final investment decision. Mauritania–Europe trade & security: Germany’s foreign minister began a regional tour with a stop in Nouakchott, pushing deeper cooperation on trade, energy (including LNG and green hydrogen) and security, while highlighting Mauritania’s role in regional stability and refugee hosting. Migration & safety at sea: The UN refugee agency reported nearly 150 migrants dead or missing off Mauritania after two incidents (July 14–18), while Mauritania’s coast guard gave different missing figures—underscoring the risks on the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands. Regional governance: ECOWAS also approved new appointments for its institutions for 2026–2030, including commissioners and judges for the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Deal: ECOWAS leaders in Freetown signed the Intergovernmental Agreement backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, clearing the way for a project company in Casablanca and a governing authority in Abuja, with up to 30 bcm of gas a year (15 bcm for Morocco and Europe) and Mauritania among the sovereign backers. Regional Energy Integration: The pipeline—about 6,800–6,900 km along the Atlantic coast—moves the project from bilateral talks toward investor mobilization and a final investment decision, aiming to strengthen energy security and industrial growth across West Africa and the Sahel. Mauritania Migration Crisis: The UN refugee agency reported 144 people dead or missing and 387 rescued after two boat incidents off Mauritania (July 14–18), underscoring the deadly route toward the Canary Islands. EU-Africa Business Push in Mauritania: Germany’s foreign minister began a three-country Africa tour with a stop in Nouakchott, seeking deeper trade, energy and security cooperation and highlighting opportunities in LNG, renewables and green hydrogen. ECOWAS Governance Update: ECOWAS also approved new appointments for 2026–2030, including commissioners and judges for its Court of Justice, as the bloc resets key institutional leadership.

ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African leaders signed the Intergovernmental Agreement backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a hybrid offshore-onshore line expected to move up to 30 bcm of gas a year across 13 Atlantic countries, with 15 bcm earmarked for Morocco and European markets via the Morocco–Spain link; feasibility and FEED are done, construction is targeted for 2028, first deliveries around 2031, and the next step is a separate Morocco–Mauritania signing ceremony. Mauritania–Europe Cooperation: Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, met Mauritania in Nouakchott to deepen ties in trade, energy and security, highlighting Mauritania’s LNG output with Senegal and potential green hydrogen cooperation, while praising Mauritania’s de-escalation approach and its large refugee hosting burden. Regional Security Coordination: Morocco and Mauritania agreed to expand cooperation on border control, migration management, organised crime and counter-terrorism to protect key trade and transport corridors linking North Africa and West Africa. Trade & Logistics Watch: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomato and potato restrictions remain, as exporters reroute through the Rosso border crossing (Mauritania–Senegal), where congestion and ferry limits are straining freight flows.

ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African heads of state signed an intergovernmental agreement in Freetown backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a ~6,800–6,900 km project to move up to 30 bcm of gas a year through 13 countries, with 15 bcm aimed at Morocco and Europe; the next steps are setting up a project company in Casablanca and a governing authority in Abuja before investor mobilization and a final investment decision. Mauritania–Morocco Security Push: In Rabat, Morocco and Mauritania agreed to deepen coordination on border control, migration management, organised crime and counter-terrorism, reflecting Sahel-linked instability and the need to secure trade/transport corridors. Trade & Logistics Watch: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes restrictions remain unclear as exporters reroute via the Rosso border crossing (Mauritania–Senegal), where congestion and ferry limits are straining freight flows. Mauritania Business Climate: IFC is reported to have invested $15m to expand Mauritania’s business tourism sector, while Mauritania also faces rising inflation tied to local commodity price surges. Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable system is moving forward with a consortium including Mauritania Telecom and Orange, aiming to strengthen Europe–Africa Atlantic connectivity.

ECOWAS Energy Deal: West African leaders signed an intergovernmental framework backing the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, with the project set to move up to 30 bcm of gas annually across 13 countries and feed Morocco and Europe via the existing Maghreb–Europe link. Project Next Steps (Mauritania in the mix): Morocco’s ONHYM and Nigeria’s NNPC say feasibility and FEED are done; the next milestones include creating a Casablanca-based project company and an Abuja-based Pipeline Higher Authority, with Morocco and Mauritania expected to sign separately before investors line up for the Final Investment Decision. Diplomacy & Business: Germany’s foreign minister is visiting Mauritania first, then Nigeria and South Africa, aiming to deepen security cooperation and unlock opportunities for German firms. Mauritania Tourism Finance: The IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott, supporting business tourism, jobs, and local supplier value chains. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s local commodity prices rose sharply in June, lifting annual inflation on local goods to 10.2% and pushing overall consumer prices up 9.2% year-on-year. Oil & Gas Signals: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration blocks in Mauritania, as the government moves to renew upstream interest after recent exits by other operators. Connectivity Push: Via Africa, a new Europe–Africa submarine cable consortium is preparing route studies and procurement, with planned landings including Mauritania.

Judicial Reform in Nouakchott: President El Ghazouani’s justice overhaul is moving from plans to delivery, with the creation of the State Judicial Agency (AJE), magistrate training, and roadmap execution aimed at strengthening legal certainty. Business Tourism Boost: The IFC is committing up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie and grow the Sheraton Nouakchott’s role in conferences and business travel, with jobs and local supplier linkages. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s local commodity prices rose in June, pushing annual inflation for local goods to 10.2% and lifting overall consumer prices by 9.2% year-on-year, driven by food—especially fish and red meat. Energy & Oil Moves: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, while the Atlantic gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco advances with Mauritania-linked offshore receiving plans. Connectivity for Trade: The Via Africa submarine cable system is set to connect Europe to Africa along the Atlantic, with landing points including Mauritania, aiming to improve regional digital access. Regional Trade Friction: Morocco has reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted as transport bottlenecks at Rosso (Mauritania–Senegal) continue to affect flows.

Business Tourism Boost: IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to deepen Mauritania’s business-travel and conference capacity and support local suppliers. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s consumer prices rose sharply in June 2026, with local goods up 1% in the month and annual inflation for local products hitting 10.2%, driven by big jumps in fish and red meat. Oil & Gas Moves: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, following recent industry pullbacks, as the government reviews new exploration and production contract options. Energy Infrastructure: The African Atlantic Gas Pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco entered a new implementation phase, with Morocco’s segment pegged at a $25bn investment and a receiving setup designed to take offshore gas from Mauritania. Regional Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable system plans to connect Europe to Africa along the Atlantic coast, with landing points including Mauritania and partners spanning telecom and digital investors. Food & Local Industry: SIG and Enazaha expanded Mauritania’s dairy production by adding a third aseptic filling line, targeting reduced reliance on imported dairy. Policy & Trade Context: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but kept tomatoes and potatoes restricted, while Rosso border congestion continues to affect regional logistics. Visa Rules Across West Africa: Liberia confirmed visa-free entry for citizens of 12 ECOWAS countries in 2026, aligning access with the bloc’s free movement framework.

Business Tourism Boost: IFC committed up to $15M to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to deepen Mauritania’s business-travel and conference capacity, create jobs, and strengthen local supplier value chains. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s local commodity prices rose sharply in June 2026, lifting annual inflation for locally produced goods to 10.2% and pushing overall consumer prices up 9.2% year-on-year, with fish and red meat among the biggest drivers. Oil & Gas Moves: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, with discussions tied to signing exploration and production contracts for three blocks in the Coastal basin. Energy Infrastructure: Nouakchott’s power and fuel storage projects are accelerating, with completion targeted before end-2026—expanding a 72MW power plant and adding 100,000 m³ of liquid fuel storage at the Port of Friendship. Regional Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable system is progressing, with a consortium planning a high-capacity Europe–Africa link that includes Mauritania among Atlantic landing points. Trade Logistics: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal is still a key bottleneck for shipments. Health & Investment: A regional health investment forum in Nouakchott highlighted plans to strengthen healthcare financing and regional value chains for medicines and medical devices. Agribusiness Upgrade: SIG expanded Enazaha’s aseptic dairy production in Mauritania by adding a third filling line, supporting local supply and reducing reliance on imports.

Business Tourism Boost: IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott, aiming to deepen Mauritania’s business-travel and conference capacity while creating jobs and strengthening local supplier value chains. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s local commodity prices jumped in June, pushing annual inflation for locally produced goods to 10.2% and overall consumer prices to 9.2% year-on-year, with fish and red meat among the biggest drivers. Energy Build-Out: Mauritania’s PM says Nouakchott is set to gain a 72MW power plant expansion and a 100,000m³ fuel storage increase, with both projects targeted for completion before end-2026. Oil & Gas Interest: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, signaling renewed upstream appetite after recent exits by other firms. Regional Connectivity: Via Africa’s planned Atlantic submarine cable consortium includes Mauritania Telecom and aims to improve Europe-Africa digital links, with Mauritania among the route destinations. Health Investment: An OIC forum in Nouakchott urged partnerships and regional value chains to grow local production of medicines and medical devices, backed by government, finance and private-sector players.

IFC Financing for Hospitality: The International Finance Corporation committed up to $15m to Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie to expand the Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, boosting Mauritania’s business tourism capacity and creating jobs plus new supplier opportunities. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s local commodity prices rose sharply in June 2026, pushing annual inflation for locally produced goods to 10.2% and lifting overall consumer prices by 9.2% year-on-year, with fish and red meat among the biggest drivers. Oil & Gas Round-Up: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania’s Coastal basin, as Nouakchott looks to attract new upstream players after recent exits. Energy Infrastructure in Nouakchott: The prime minister says two major projects—expanding a 72MW power plant and adding 100,000m³ of liquid fuel storage—are on track for completion before end-2026 to strengthen energy security. Trade & Logistics: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the report links shifting routes to congestion at the Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal. Connectivity Push: The Via Africa submarine cable system is moving forward with a Europe-to-Africa Atlantic route that includes Mauritania, aiming to improve regional digital connectivity. Business Tourism & Diplomacy: Vietnam and Mauritania reaffirmed plans to deepen trade and investment, including fisheries and energy cooperation.

Business Tourism Boost: IFC committed up to $15M to Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie to expand the Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, supporting Mauritania’s push to attract more business travelers, conferences and international events, with the project already linked to 200+ direct jobs and wider local supplier demand. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s inflation pressures rose in June as local commodity prices climbed—food led the jump, with fish up 64.1% and red meat up 27.6% year-on-year, while overall consumer prices rose 9.2%. Energy Delivery: Nouakchott’s power and fuel capacity is set to improve before end-2026: a 72MW power plant expansion (180MW to 252MW) and a Port of Friendship fuel storage upgrade (+100,000 m³) aimed at strengthening energy security. Oil & Gas Interest: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, signaling renewed upstream appetite after recent exits by other firms. Trade & Logistics: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal is still a key bottleneck for regional shipments. Regional Connectivity: The Via Africa submarine cable system plans to link Europe to Africa along the Atlantic coast, with landing points including Mauritania and partners spanning telecom operators and investors.

Energy & Oil Exploration: Murphy Oil and London-listed Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, with the government discussing possible new exploration & production contracts after recent industry exits. Inflation & Food Prices: Mauritania’s local commodity prices rose sharply in June, pushing overall consumer prices up 9.2% year-on-year, with fish (+64.1%) and red meat (+27.6%) driving the pressure. Hospitality & Business Tourism: IFC committed up to $15m to expand Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie’s Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, aiming to boost business travel, jobs, and local supplier linkages. Power & Fuel Security: Nouakchott’s energy upgrades are accelerating, with a 72MW power plant expansion and 100,000m³ fuel storage growth targeted for completion before end-2026. Agribusiness & Local Dairy: SIG is expanding Enazaha’s aseptic dairy production in Mauritania with a third filling line, supporting growth and reducing reliance on imports. Regional Trade Logistics: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, while tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the Rosso border corridor between Mauritania and Senegal is highlighted as a key route facing congestion. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Vietnam and Mauritania reaffirmed plans to deepen economic and sector cooperation, including mining, telecoms, and oil & gas. Health Investment: An OIC forum in Nouakchott focused on strengthening healthcare financing and regional value chains for medicines and medical devices.

Business Tourism Finance: IFC committed up to $15M to Grands Hôtels de Mauritanie to expand the Sheraton Nouakchott Hotel, boosting Mauritania’s business-travel capacity and creating jobs and local supplier demand. Inflation Watch: Mauritania’s June 2026 CPI showed local goods prices up 1% in the month, pushing annual local-product inflation to 10.2%, with fish (+64.1%) and red meat (+27.6%) driving food costs. Oil & Gas Licensing: Murphy Oil and Chariot have applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, with the government discussing new Exploration & Production Contract authorisations after recent industry pullbacks. Energy Infrastructure: Nouakchott’s power and fuel storage projects are on track for completion before end-2026, including a 72MW generation expansion and a 100,000m³ Port of Friendship storage upgrade. Regional Health Investment: An OIC-backed forum in Nouakchott urged partnerships to strengthen healthcare systems and local production of medicines and medical devices. Local Industry Upgrade: SIG and Enazaha expanded Mauritania’s dairy production with a third aseptic filling line, aiming to cut reliance on imported dairy. Trade & Logistics: Morocco reopened onion exports to African markets, while tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the Rosso border crossing is cited as a key bottleneck for regional shipments. Mining/Shipping: East Port Said received a 173,000-tonne iron ore cargo from Mauritania, underscoring ongoing iron-ore export flows.

Inflation Watch (Mauritania): Mauritania’s National Agency reports consumer prices rose 9.2% year-on-year in June 2026, driven by locally produced goods (+1% month-on-month) and food spikes—fish up 64.1% and red meat up 27.6%—while imported prices dipped slightly (-0.1%). Oil & Gas (Nouakchott offshore): Murphy Oil and London-listed Chariot have applied for new offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania, following a Cabinet discussion on signing Exploration & Production Contracts for three coastal basin blocks. Energy Projects (Nouakchott): The Prime Minister says two major Nouakchott projects are on track for completion before end-2026: a 72MW power plant expansion (180MW to 252MW) and a 100,000m³ fuel storage upgrade at the Port of Friendship (total 123,000m³). Trade & Logistics (Rosso corridor): Morocco has reopened onion exports to African markets, but tomatoes and potatoes remain restricted; the shift is linked to ongoing Rosso border congestion between Mauritania and Senegal. Health & Investment (Nouakchott): An OIC-backed regional forum in Nouakchott calls for stronger partnerships to build resilient healthcare systems and expand local production of medicines and medical devices. Local Industry (dairy): SIG and Enazaha commissioned a third aseptic filling line in Mauritania to boost local dairy output and reduce reliance on imports. Regional Diplomacy (Francophonie): Cambodia and Mauritania pledged deeper Francophonie cooperation ahead of Phnom Penh’s November summit.