AGP Executive Report

Sahel Security Shock: Gunfire and explosions hit Niger’s capital, with state TV and radio going offline as mutinous-soldier claims raise fresh fears for stability after the 2023 coup. Solar for Resilience: New analyses say Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, while solar mini-grids are flagged as key for climate adaptation and rural electrification in Burkina Faso and other Francophone West African states. Land Restoration Wins: UNCCD COP17 recognized three “World Restoration Flagships,” including Sahel efforts that combine land rehabilitation with food security support—an approach that directly targets drought and degraded soils. Cross-Border Cooperation (Ghana–Burkina Faso): Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire are meeting in Wa to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to boost dialogue, information sharing and joint action in border communities. Water Access Push: Denmark and partners back a $5.8m water project in Ghana’s Wa area to expand pipelines and improve safe drinking water for about 105,000 people. Burkina Faso–Nigeria Academic Ties: Burkina Faso’s consul general visited FUNAAB to strengthen agriculture, education and research collaboration.

Land Restoration Wins Big: UNCCD COP17 announced three World Restoration Flagships, including the WFP-led Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative, aiming to restore nearly 5 million hectares by 2030 and boost food security across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Solar for Resilience: New analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar in 2026, while off-grid solar mini-grids are flagged as key for climate adaptation and rural electrification in places like Burkina Faso. Border Cooperation for Communities: Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire began talks in Wa to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, meant to improve dialogue, information sharing and joint action in border areas. Water Access Push: Denmark, with UNICEF and partners, is advancing a $5.8m water project in Ghana’s Upper West to expand pipelines and safe connections for about 105,000 people. Sahel Security Pressure: Northern Mali saw renewed attacks near Ber involving FAMa and Russian Africa Corps, underscoring how instability keeps threatening livelihoods and movement across the region.

Land Restoration Finance at UNCCD COP17: UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia highlighted how Africa can unlock billions for land restoration, with new “World Restoration Flagships” including a Sahel programme led by WFP to rehabilitate degraded land and strengthen food security across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Sahel Resilience on the Ground: A WFP-backed approach is showing results in drought-hit communities, using measures like rain-capturing dikes to rebuild soils, boost harvests, and reduce hunger risk. Cross-Border Cooperation (Ghana–Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire): In Wa, Ghana is hosting talks to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to improve dialogue, information sharing, and joint action among border communities and local authorities. Water Project for Wa (Denmark–UNICEF): A Danish ambassador visit supported a $5.8m water project to expand pipelines and subsidise household connections for about 105,000 people, while also urging more WASH and climate-resilience support. AES Parliament Legitimacy Questioned: The new Sahel States Confederation Parliament in Niamey raises concerns about whether deputies have a real popular mandate, even as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger build new institutions.

Land Restoration Finance at COP17: UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia spotlighted how Africa can unlock billions for land restoration, pushing “land rejuvenation” beyond small projects into bankable landscape programmes. Sahel Restoration Flagship: The UN recognized the WFP-led Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative as a World Restoration Flagship, citing work across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger to rehabilitate degraded land and strengthen food security for millions. Community Water Harvesting in the Sahel: A WFP-supported dike system in Chad’s Guera Province is helping farmers capture seasonal rains, rebuild soils, and reduce hunger—an approach being replicated across the region. Cross-Border Local Cooperation: Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire began talks in Wa to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to improve dialogue, information sharing, and joint action in border communities. Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test emergency alerts, coordination, rescue deployment, and protection of water resources during heavy-rain scenarios.

Land Restoration Financing: UNCCD COP17 coverage highlights how Africa can move land restoration from “aid” to “investment,” with new and pipeline finance for rangelands and calls for bankable landscape programmes that also benefit farmers and pastoralists. Sahel Restoration Flagship (Burkina Faso in focus): WFP says the Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative has been named a UN World Restoration Flagship, restoring degraded land and strengthening food security across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test alerts, coordination, rescue deployment, and medical support during simulated heavy rainfall, dam overflow, and industrial accident risks. Cross-Border Cooperation (Upper West/Savannah): Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire are meeting in Wa to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to improve dialogue, information sharing, and joint action for border communities. Agriculture & Education Links: Burkina Faso’s consul general visited FUNAAB in Nigeria to push collaboration in agriculture, research, culture, and a proposed French language centre—supporting regional capacity building.

Land Restoration & Food Security: UN recognition spotlights WFP-led Sahel Integrated Resilience Initiative as a World Restoration Flagship, backing land rehabilitation across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger to cut shocks and boost food production. Ecosystem Restoration Awards: UNCCD COP17 also named three new World Restoration Flagships, including the Sahel effort, pushing large-scale recovery of degraded land to fight drought, desertification, and climate stress. Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test alerts, coordination, evacuations, and rescue teams, with scenarios including dam overflow and risks to water resources. Cross-Border Cooperation: Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire began week-long talks in Wa to harmonise legal frameworks for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to improve resilience and joint action for border communities. Deforestation Pressure from Cocoa: A report links Liberia’s expanding cocoa boom to deforestation in remaining rainforests, driven by poverty and local political involvement. Sahel Livelihoods on Restored Land: A Sahel land-restoration story from Chad shows how rain-capturing dikes can turn cracked soil into steadier harvests and reduce hunger.

Cross-Border Cooperation: Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire have started a week-long engagement in Wa to harmonise and validate legal frameworks for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to boost information sharing, dialogue and joint action among border communities and local authorities. Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test alerts, coordination, decision-making and rescue deployments, including scenarios of heavy rainfall, dam overflow and risks to water resources. Sahel Livestock Movements: Research with IOM and partners tracked over 60,000 transhumant animals and 2,000 herders entering Ghana’s Upper East from Sahel countries, supporting efforts to reduce farmer-herder conflicts. Health Facilities Sanitation: A WHO/UNICEF assessment found low sanitation standards in West African health facilities, with Burkina Faso at 11% meeting basic sanitation and Ghana at 16%. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Finance: A regional push is underway to attract investment into climate-resilient agriculture and energy infrastructure, using credit enhancement and project development tools to close major funding gaps.

Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test alerting, coordination, decision-making and rescue deployment, with a scenario of heavy rainfall flooding settlements plus an industrial accident at the RAMBO plant in Kossodo, involving evacuation, rescue and medical support by civil protection, fire services, police, water and forestry, health services and the Red Cross. Cross-Border Cooperation for Resilience: Ghana began week-long talks with Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire in Wa to harmonise legal texts for Local Groups for Cross-Border Cooperation, aiming to strengthen community resilience, shared development and joint action along the Savannah and Upper West borders. Sahel Security and Regional Limits: A regional cooperation critique warns that insecurity in the Sahel is spreading across borders and that ECOWAS’s weakened unity—after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger’s withdrawal—risks leaving countries to face threats alone. Climate-Linked Health Risks: A WHO/UNICEF assessment finds many West African health facilities still miss basic sanitation standards, with Burkina Faso at 11%, raising concerns for patient safety and dignity during care. Transhumance Pressure on Communities: Research shared in Ghana reports over 60,000 transhumant animals and 2,000 herders entered the Upper East from Sahel countries in 2025, with Burkina Faso the largest share, highlighting ongoing farmer-herder conflict prevention needs.

Climate & Disaster Preparedness: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou, testing alerts, coordination, decisions, and rescue deployments after a scenario of heavy rainfall, dam overflow, blocked roads, and a RAMBO plant industrial accident with fire and contamination risk. Pastoralism & Land Pressure: Research with IOM Ghana and CLIP tracked transhumant movements into Ghana’s Upper East/West, with over 60,000 animals and 2,000 herders entering from Sahel countries between Feb–Jun 2025, led by Burkina Faso (58%), to help prevent farmer-herder conflicts. Water, Sanitation & Health: WHO/UNICEF reported that only 11% of health facilities in Burkina Faso meet basic sanitation standards, highlighting gaps in usable toilets, menstrual hygiene access, and facilities for people with limited mobility. Education & Community Support: Qatar Charity launched Education Campaign 2026 (“Science as Stewardship”) aiming to support up to 123,000 students in need with supplies, school feeding, and learning-environment improvements. Tech for Agriculture & Sustainability: Qatar Chamber joined STIC ’26 in Ouagadougou on “AI Solutions for Africa,” with a focus on projects spanning agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.

Flood Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou held national flood response exercises to test alerts, coordination, rescue deployment, and evacuation after heavy rain scenarios, including risks from dam overflow and an industrial accident at the RAMBO plant. Sahel Pastoralism Pressure: New research says over 60,000 transhumant animals and 2,000 herders entered Ghana from Sahel countries between Feb–Jun 2025, with Burkina Faso the biggest source (58%), highlighting ongoing farmer-herder conflict prevention needs. Regional Food Trade: Ghana and Burkina Faso restored fresh tomato trade after talks, ending a suspension that had caused shortages and price spikes; a joint technical committee will manage future disputes. Health & Sanitation Gap: A WHO/UNICEF assessment found only 11% of health facilities in Burkina Faso met basic sanitation standards in 2025, underlining urgent needs for usable toilets, menstrual hygiene access, and safe waste handling. Education for Sustainability: Qatar Charity launched an Education Campaign 2026 (“Science as Stewardship”) aiming to support up to 123,000 students with supplies, school feeding, and school rehabilitation.

Disaster Preparedness in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso held flood response exercises in Ouagadougou to test alerting, coordination, decision-making and rescue deployments after heavy rainfall scenarios, including dam overflow and a RAMBO plant explosion/fire with risks to water resources. Regional Security & Youth Vulnerability: A Ghana dialogue warned that rising youth unemployment, governance gaps and social marginalisation could push more young people toward violent extremism as threats spread from the Sahel toward coastal West Africa. Energy Cooperation Across West Africa: Ghana and Nigeria energy plans moved forward, with Ghana aiming to supply electricity to Nigeria as Nigeria restructures its power sector for both domestic use and exports. Health & Sanitation Standards: WHO/UNICEF data shows sanitation gaps in health facilities, with Burkina Faso at 11% meeting basic sanitation standards—highlighting risks to patient dignity and infection control. Sahel Child Protection: UNICEF reports millions of children in the Central Sahel need urgent help as conflict, displacement and climate shocks drive violence and recruitment. Food Trade Stability: Ghana and Burkina Faso restored fresh tomato trade and set up a joint committee after export restrictions triggered shortages and price spikes.

Regional Power Push: Ghana says it wants to start supplying electricity to Nigeria and position itself as a West African power hub, building on existing cross-border grid links with countries including Burkina Faso. Sahel Child Crisis: UNICEF warns that Central Sahel conflict is pushing millions of children in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger deeper into danger, with violence and recruitment rising sharply and access to schools and health care collapsing. Health Facility Sanitation: WHO/UNICEF report that only 11% of health facilities in Burkina Faso meet basic sanitation standards, highlighting gaps in usable toilets, menstrual hygiene and access for people with limited mobility. Media Under Pressure: Burkina Faso’s military-led government has begun mandatory “patriotism” training for journalists, mixing drills and conflict-zone reporting guidance—raising concerns for press freedom. Food Trade & Prices: Ghana and Burkina Faso have restored fresh tomato trade after talks, setting up a joint committee to manage disputes and ease shortages that hit prices. Energy & Aviation Fuel: Algeria’s Sonatrach has started supplying Jet A1 to Niger, signaling growing Sahel fuel corridors that could reshape regional energy competition. Water, Health, and Access: WHO/UNICEF’s sanitation findings connect to broader public health risks as facilities struggle to meet basic hygiene needs.

Press Freedom & Safety: Burkina Faso has started an annual “patriotism” course for journalists, mixing drills and conflict-zone training, raising fresh questions about media independence while war reporting becomes more militarised. Humanitarian Crisis for Children: UNICEF warns the Central Sahel is pushing millions of children into danger, with violence against children surging and access to education and health care breaking down. Health & Sanitation: A WHO/UNICEF assessment finds only 11% of health facilities in Burkina Faso meet basic sanitation standards, with gaps in usable toilets, menstrual hygiene, and access for people with limited mobility. Illegal Mining & Land Destruction: A Ghana-focused debate on galamsey highlights how illegal mining devastates water bodies, forests, and farms—an issue that resonates across the region’s land and water security. Food Trade & Prices: Ghana and Burkina Faso restored fresh tomato trade after talks, stabilising supplies and easing price spikes linked to export restrictions. Climate & Malaria: New research says climate change could shift childhood malaria hotspots across Africa, affecting where transmission rises or falls. Regional Environment-Linked Governance: A UNESCO report argues that free press helps disasters and climate threats by improving accountability and countering misinformation.

Press Freedom Under Pressure in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso’s military-led government has started an annual “patriotism” immersion for journalists, with 44 media workers trained at a police academy near Ouagadougou in fatigues, drills, and supervised weapons handling—prompting criticism from press freedom groups who warn journalists are being turned into war mouthpieces. Sahel Child Crisis: UNICEF says the Central Sahel humanitarian crisis is worsening fast, with millions of children in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger facing violence, displacement, and deprivation, including a sharp rise in attacks and recruitment into armed groups. Health Facilities Still Struggle With Sanitation: A WHO/UNICEF assessment finds basic sanitation gaps in health care facilities across West Africa, with Burkina Faso at 11% meeting basic sanitation standards—raising risks to patient dignity and infection control. Regional Food Trade Relief: Ghana and Burkina Faso have restored fresh tomato trade after talks, ending a suspension that had triggered shortages and price spikes, and they plan a joint technical committee to manage future disputes. Climate-Linked Malaria Shifts: A new study warns climate change could move childhood malaria hotspots across Africa, potentially increasing cases in cooler highlands while reducing transmission in some hotter areas.

Press Freedom Under Pressure in Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso’s military-led government has started an annual “patriotism” immersion for journalists, with 44 reporters forced into a six-day, military-style course near Ouagadougou—wearing fatigues, handling rifles, and being told to strengthen the war narrative. Humanitarian Crisis in the Central Sahel: UNICEF warns that conflict, displacement and climate shocks are pushing millions of children in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger deeper into danger, with violence against children surging and access to education and health collapsing. Health Facilities Still Lack Basic Sanitation: WHO/UNICEF report that only 11% of health facilities in Burkina Faso meet basic sanitation standards, highlighting gaps in usable toilets, menstrual hygiene and access for people with limited mobility. Regional Food Trade Relief: Ghana and Burkina Faso have restored fresh tomato trade after talks, setting up a joint technical committee to prevent future shortages and price spikes. Sahel Governance & Security Debate: Commentary questions the “ungoverned spaces” narrative, arguing Sahel territories are governed differently—not empty—shaping how security and development should be planned.

Press Freedom Under Pressure: Burkina Faso’s military-led government has started an annual “patriotism” course for journalists, with the first 44 reporters trained in military-style drills and rifle handling near Ouagadougou—prompting fresh alarms from press freedom groups. Humanitarian Crisis in the Sahel: UNICEF warns that conflict, displacement and climate shocks are pushing millions of children in the Central Sahel (including Burkina Faso) deeper into danger, with violence against children surging and access to schools and healthcare breaking down. Health, Water & Sanitation: A WHO/UNICEF assessment finds sanitation gaps in health facilities across West Africa, with Burkina Faso at 11% meeting basic sanitation standards—highlighting risks to patient dignity and infection control. Tax & Revenue Capacity: An AfDB-backed project worth about US$5.3M will strengthen tax administration in Burkina Faso and five other West African countries, aiming to boost domestic revenue and resilience. Food Trade & Stability: Ghana and Burkina Faso have restored fresh tomato trade after talks, setting up a joint committee to manage disputes and ease shortages and price spikes. Education Support: Qatar Charity launches an Education Campaign 2026 to help 123,000 students with back-to-school support, school feeding and learning-environment improvements.