AGP Executive Report

Media Freedom Under Pressure (Ethiopia): Addis Standard’s editor-in-chief Yonas Kedir was seized and the newsroom raided, with equipment smashed and an eviction notice issued—part of a wider pattern of journalist arrests and licence crackdowns. Publishing & AI Governance (South Africa): A new report on how South African news sites handle AI crawlers finds most don’t explicitly block major bots, raising a visibility-versus-control dilemma for smaller outlets. Cultural Diplomacy & Language Learning (Egypt): China’s push in Egypt is reflected in growing Chinese-language education, with universities and schools expanding offerings alongside Confucius Institute growth. Regional Politics & Courts (Nigeria): Omoyele Sowore’s cyberstalking case faces a possible suspension tied to the 2027 election timetable, spotlighting how security agencies and courts intersect with politics. Health Leadership (West Africa): Professor Palokinam T. Pitche formally assumes office as WAHO Director-General, bringing long public-health and HIV programme experience. Books, Heritage & Community (US/Black libraries): New Bern’s Climbers Club marks its 105th anniversary and backs preservation of the West Street Colored Library building, renamed for Charlotte Rhone.

Media & Publishing Loss: Nigeria’s Press Council mourns veteran journalist and Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo, highlighting his nearly three-decade contribution to political reporting and digital publishing. Sports Governance & Publishing: Nigeria’s NFF debunks a purported FIFA letter threatening sanctions, saying it’s “totally fake” as football reform talks continue. Books & Events (South Africa): Exclusive Books Cavendish hosts the Cape Town launch of Africa’s Road to Prosperity: 10 Things to Know by Jakkie Cilliers, published by Tafelberg and Jonathan Ball. Publishing Policy (Kenya): Kenya publishes an official list of goods banned from import/export under EAC customs law, including adult content in printed form. Community Tech (Kenya): A Kibera feature spotlights Konnect Internet’s “hyper-local hiring” model, training residents to build connectivity-led opportunities. Youth Education (Nigeria): Humanitarian Foundation Initiative targets 111,000 out-of-school children for re-enrolment in September 2026, with support for uniforms and learning materials. Regional Media Innovation: MTN Pan-African Media Innovation Programme welcomes its inaugural cohort of 42 journalists and editors across 12 countries.

AI & Advertising: OpenAI says ChatGPT Ads hit a $1bn annualised revenue run rate in under 200 days as self-serve buying expands into India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa—raising new questions for how African publishers and brands will compete for attention inside AI answers. Publishing & Language: Nigeria’s ANA opens entries for the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature 2026 (published novels from 2025/2026; no entry fee), while a separate report warns Hausa faces extinction risk as English dominates media and education. Culture & Integration: Nigeria’s consul general in South Africa argues AfCFTA should be treated as a cultural project too—pushing film, music and book distribution across borders. Governance & Media Freedom: A Nigeria-focused editorial warns civic space is being choked by media regulation moves, and another piece highlights the “fake agencies and ghost workers” scandal as a governance quality test. Business Support for SMEs: Zoho and SMEDAN launch N20bn wallet credits for 25,000 Nigerian MSMEs to boost cloud adoption. Human Rights: Tanzania-based activist Godlisten Malisa was reportedly taken from the Namanga border post after a passport check, with authorities yet to confirm details.

Co-op Finance Shock: Kenya’s Kuscco saccos voted to liquidate after insolvency, with members facing a likely loss of about Sh11.6bn as a forensic audit flagged theft and “cooking” of books. Health Data Sovereignty: Namibia rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen sharing over privacy and sovereignty, keeping HIV/TB funding talks alive but with stricter terms. Bible Translation Push: Jehovah’s Witnesses say Bible-based materials are now available in about 26 Nigerian languages via jw.org, expanding access through large-scale volunteer translation. Language & AI in Africa: NWU’s Indigenous Language Media in Africa marked 10 years, arguing African languages must be actively used in news, science and AI systems—not just archived. Publishing & Reading Culture: Ghana’s Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister urged making reading “fashionable” at the Ghana International Book Fair, calling for stronger libraries and support for local authors. Media Industry Loss: Nigeria’s Press Council mourned Dotun Oladipo, founder of The Eagle Online, praising nearly three decades in journalism and digital publishing. Book Launch (South Africa): Tafelberg/Jonathan Ball announced the Johannesburg launch of Africa’s Road to Prosperity: 10 Things to Know by Jakkie Cilliers.

Sustainability in Packaging: South Africa’s plastics recycling sector says recycling rose 3% in 2025 to 485,000 tons, with circular plastics content in new products up to 22% (from 16% a decade ago), and packaging still driving demand for PP, PET and HDPE. Trade & Industry Events: Propak West Africa returns in Lagos (8–10 Sept), promising practical solutions across packaging, plastics, print, labelling and food processing. Media Freedom & Civic Space: Nigeria’s SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors urge lawmakers to reject the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, warning it would tighten state control over civil society and independent media. Digital Rights Delay: HURIWA faults Nigeria’s police and NDPC for more than a year of inaction on petitions alleging unlawful interception and data breaches involving NIPSS. Publishing & Literacy in the Region: Kenya’s Amani Kibera Book House opens in Nairobi’s Kibera, using picture books to bring learning to local children. Journalism Loss: Nigeria’s media community mourns Dotun Oladipo, publisher of The Eagle Online, as colleagues and unions highlight his role in digital journalism. Election Tensions: Nigeria’s NDC accuses INEC of uploading “unknown” candidates for 2027 state assembly elections, with the dispute especially sharp in Anambra.

Publishing & Awards: Qatar’s Arab Book Award says it received 835 nominations for its 2026 fourth edition, with 682 entries in the single-book category and 153 in the achievement category, spanning linguistic, literary, critical, historical and Islamic studies. Media Freedom & Law: Nigeria’s SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors urge lawmakers to reject the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, warning it could tighten state control over civil society and independent media. Regional Peacekeeping Books: ECOWAS unveiled four publications on its peacekeeping and peacemaking interventions, including “Fighting Bushfires” and other after-action reviews covering West Africa’s conflict responses. Digital Publishing & AI: A push is growing for AI firms to share revenue with publishers, as concerns mount that automated systems are siphoning traffic and destabilising journalism. South Africa Press Case: Unisa’s bid to gag journalist ednews.africa failed, after the court rejected an urgent interdict aimed at silencing reporting. Uganda Finance Oversight: Uganda’s NSSF faces scrutiny after an Auditor General report flagged weak oversight of associate companies and collateral gaps in a Uganda Clays loan.

Election Logistics: Nigeria’s INEC says 2027 ballot papers and result sheets will be printed locally, then delivered to the Central Bank of Nigeria for safekeeping and distribution close to polling day. Education Access: JAMB extends the deadline for 2021–2026 admission offer candidates to accept or reject on its CAPS portal, pushing the final date to September 30. Publishing & Learning Policy: Publishers ask a court to halt NERDC’s textbook ranking policy, arguing it could disrupt how learning materials are selected and priced. Health Systems: Malawi’s referral hospitals are in gradual collapse, with broken equipment, power failures and long waits for specialist care. Arts & Books: A new book spotlights modernist jewellery pioneer Art Smith, while Morocco’s AMDH reports racist “gangs” brutalising migrants in Ceuta amid official complicity. Gospel Music Industry: Mindustry Conference opens registration for its Lagos edition, with Warner Music Africa/Africori partnering to back gospel creatives.

Ghana Book Fair Push: Pegasus Publishing used the 23rd Ghana International Book Fair to showcase school titles (Economics, English, Biology, General Science, Creative Arts) plus storybooks aimed at boosting early reading and learning. Reading Culture Drive: Ghana’s Tourism Minister urged citizens to build a strong reading culture as a tool for national transformation, linking it to human capital and long-term development. Morocco School Access: Morocco’s education ministry tightened monitoring of student attendance and textbook supply for the 2026-27 year, ordering classes to start on time and absences to be tracked daily. Publishing & Policy: The EU formally challenged Sappi’s $1.66bn plan to create Europe’s biggest paper producer, raising competition concerns that could affect paper used for magazines and books. Journalism Fellowship: Nigeria’s DR-TB Media Fellowship opened for applications, training journalists to produce better reporting on drug-resistant tuberculosis. Book Launch Tribute: In Nigeria, Rev. Banji Oladipo paid tribute to late publisher Dotun Oladipo, noting he wrote a foreword for his book and highlighting the launch of “HOLD ON.” Education Admin Update: Nigeria’s JAMB extended the deadline for candidates to accept or reject admission offers to Sept. 30.

Media Leadership Shake-up (Kenya): Nation Media Group appoints six new board directors, including veteran journalist Julie Gichuru, after Rostam Aziz’s Taarifa Ltd bought Aga Khan Fund’s 54.08% stake—signalling a push to navigate media and digital change. Publishing & Culture (Nigeria/Global): Kemi Lawson’s new book House Proud spotlights Black domestic architecture and identity across continents, while Les Thomas brings working-class history songs back home after a UK tour featuring Blackwell’s Oxford. Public Institutions (Nigeria): One year after the federal government promised to restart Nigeria’s long-stalled National Library project, the site remains inactive, raising questions about funding and delivery. Accountability & Policy (Nigeria): A commentary asks what Nigeria’s N4.65trn bank recapitalisation actually bought for the economy—beyond stronger banks and higher profits. Health & Literacy (DRC): A report on sleeping sickness elimination efforts highlights how mobile teams still hunt remaining cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Media & Publishing (Zimbabwe): Zimpapers wins best media/publishing exhibit stand at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show. Books & Ethics (UK): A story warns of “destructive scanning” of second-hand books by tech firms to feed AI training, sparking backlash from booksellers. Mental Health (Nigeria): Nigerian Mental Health launches an open-access policy tracker to monitor implementation of the National Mental Health Act, including the missing dedicated department and Mental Health Fund. Book Industry Events (Ghana): JoySports Invitational Tournament 2026 spotlights corporate participation and community networking at the University of Ghana.

Online Publishing & Media: Nigeria’s Eagle Online founder Dotun Oladipo will be laid to rest after funeral rites set for Sept. 10 (service of songs) and Sept. 11 (burial) at DayStar Church, Oregun, Ikeja, as GOCOP leaders and state officials mourn his role in shaping Nigeria’s online publishing. Education & Access: JAMB says missing names on matriculation lists usually come from not accepting admission on CAPS, institutions failing to forward verified details, or candidates not printing original result slips and admission letters; it also shared a video guide on accepting/rejecting offers. School Supplies: Morocco’s education ministry orders schools to start classes Sept. 7 even if some students arrive late, while monitoring textbook and supply availability through provincial teams. Learning Tech: South Africa’s Maski launches as a free, WhatsApp-based, multilingual AI tutor aligned to CAPS for Grades 4–12, with support from Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Publishing Policy: Nigeria’s publishers ask a court to halt NERDC’s textbook ranking policy. Books & Culture: Korea donates 1,000 Kiswahili-translated folktale books to Tanzania’s education institute to boost reading and cultural exchange.

Media Accountability: Nigeria’s Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is being urged to “reclaim” its role as a watchdog and agenda setter, with former president Sani Zaria calling for more investigative reporting and stronger scrutiny of sports administration. Journalism Loss: Nigerian media groups including the Nigerian Guild of Editors and MAPOLY/IMPCMS mourn Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo, describing his death as a major blow to professional, ethical digital journalism. Safety & Extremism: UK broadcaster LBC reports it has found Islamic State supporters sharing detailed arson guidance online, including advice on exhausting emergency services and evading detection. Publishing & Training: The US Consulate in Lagos wrapped an AI-focused capacity-building programme for Akwa Ibom journalists, training them to use digital and AI tools for finding, verifying and reporting stories. Books for Families: Nigerian author Dolly Ohanyere launches a six-book series, “The Becoming Collection,” aimed at identity, purpose and healthier relationships at home. Education & Reading: Kenya’s mixed 4x400m relay squad heads to the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, while separate coverage highlights reading campaigns and book fairs across the region.

Research Integrity Survey: Springer Nature, the African Academy of Sciences and ASSAf launched a continent-wide survey to map how researchers in Africa experience research integrity training and support, aiming to shape better systems for trustworthy science. Publishing & AI Revenue: Industry voices are pushing AI firms to share revenue with publishers, warning that without fair deals journalism traffic and sustainability could collapse. Uganda Ebola Update: Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over after 42 days without a new confirmed case, following discharge of the last patient on July 16. Education & Books: Uganda’s “One Million Books” campaign launch highlighted the need to keep children in school despite poverty, early marriage and teenage pregnancy. Kenya Reading Habits: A Communications Authority survey found Gen Z and Gen Y are Kenya’s strongest newspaper readers, driven by digital access. CANEX Publishing Prize: Afreximbank’s CANEX Book Factory named the 2026 CANEX Prize for Publishing jury ahead of CANEX WKND in Lagos. Media Industry Loss: Nigeria’s online publishing community mourned Eagle Online founder Dotun Oladipo, with multiple media bodies citing his role in digital journalism. MoMA Africa Art: MoMA announced “Freedom and Futures: Emancipatory Art in Africa, 1956–1982” for 2027, spotlighting how art tracked decolonization.

AI & Publishing: Publishers and industry players are urging AI firms to strike revenue-sharing deals, warning that AI summaries and reduced click-through are hollowing out journalism’s business model. National Libraries & Knowledge: Nigeria’s Federal Government, via TETFund, is pushing to complete the long-stalled National Library headquarters in Abuja, with the FEC approving N118.309bn and total needs put around N155bn. Book Publishing & Training: At UPSI, ten academics published full-length books within 48 hours after a “write your book in a weekend” workshop using Lulu.com, highlighting a new route for turning research into print. Media Loss (Nigeria): President Tinubu and major press bodies mourn Dotun Oladipo, former Punch political editor and founder/publisher of The Eagle Online, calling his work a boost for digital journalism and democracy. Museums & Community Corrections: London’s Horniman Museum faces a community-led push to fix SWANA collection labels, with Hekayyatna inviting submissions until Sept 15 for a Dec 3 exhibition. Tanzania Politics: CCM has nominated Energy Minister Deogratius John Ndejembi for the vice-presidential vacancy after Emmanuel Nchimbi’s resignation.

Media Industry Loss: Nigeria’s media community mourns Dotun Oladipo, publisher and managing editor of The Eagle Online, with tributes from President Tinubu, Lagos Gov. Sanwo-Olu, IPI Nigeria and GOCOP highlighting his role in building online journalism. Courtroom & Publishing Rights: In Tanzania’s treason trial, Tundu Lissu’s cross-examination turns to whether his speech was published online and who controlled the recording and streaming. Education Funding Debate: Nigeria’s Education Minister Olatunji Alausa calls BEA scholarships abroad a waste of public funds, arguing Nigeria can expand local capacity instead. Energy & Public Assets: Nigeria launches RAMCO to manage publicly funded renewable energy assets after only 3 of 7 solar hybrid projects were found usable, pointing to maintenance gaps. Tech for SMEs: Zoho and SMEDAN plan N20bn in tech credits for about 25,000 Nigerian MSMEs, pairing software access with training and support. Books & Culture: A Lagos history collector, Raphael James, runs a free public library and private museum open to all, built from decades of Nigerian history books, coins and stamps. Climate Justice: A new study warns children in south Asia and west Africa face the biggest increases in dangerous humid heat exposure as climate change accelerates.

Kenya Media Fact-Check: Africa Check says a viral screenshot of Kenya’s Star newspaper claiming Uhuru Kenyatta secretly met DCP-linked politicians doesn’t match the column’s usual format and can’t be verified in Star’s records. Nigeria Politics & Publishing/Media: Ogun 2027 aspirant Abayomi Hunye says APC suspended him but still sold him the ₦50m nomination form; APC counters with a petition to police and DSS over alleged impersonation. Nigeria Media Loss: Veteran journalist and Eagle Online publisher Dotun Oladipo dies at 56, after a sudden health emergency. Nigeria Retail Digitisation: SalesUnbox, a self-funded SaaS for medium-scale retailers, says it now serves 5,000 businesses with tools for ordering, inventory, accounting and CRM. South Africa Elections Logistics: IEC warns parties and independents not to wait until the last minute for 2026 local government nominations, stressing ballot printing depends on finalised submissions. South Africa Vehicle Safety: Regulators publish draft tougher minimum safety standards for new cars for public comment, aiming to align with international passive safety rules. Books & Faith: Mission Cry ships free Bibles, Christian books and seminary materials to Namibia. South Africa Space Education: SANSA launches a learner competition to design the country’s first official space mascot.

Education Budget Scrutiny: Nigeria’s National Assembly allegedly tucked away at least N29.444bn for classroom, hostel, library, ICT and materials projects across many states inside the 2026 budget for the Federal Co-operative College, Oji River—raising questions about fit with the institution’s mandate. Publishing & Media Freedom: Tanzania’s VP Emmanuel Nchimbi resigned after a week of controversy that included a six-month suspension of critical newspaper MwanaHALISI’s licence, spotlighting pressure on the press. Cyber Reporting Ethics: Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority urged journalists to avoid publishing unverified cybercrime claims or unresolved vulnerabilities that could help criminals. Infrastructure Pipeline: South Africa’s Construction Book (110 projects) and a broader R264bn pipeline aim to move infrastructure from “page to procurement,” with quarterly reporting promised. Civil Service Books: Nigeria’s FCSC chair Prof. Tunji Olaopa backed knowledge-driven reform as two memoirs by Walson-Jack were publicly presented. Terror Finance Watch: Nigeria’s NFIU says terrorists used social-media crowdfunding via foreign facilitators and small donations to evade AML alerts. One-Stop Reading Culture: Sharjah Book Authority highlighted its expanding bookstore operations across the Arab world and Africa, reinforcing the region’s push for wider access to books.