AGP Executive Report

Drylands & Food Security: India’s Dryland Congress 2026 ended in New Delhi with the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D), pushing South-South and triangular cooperation to boost dryland agriculture through shared knowledge, innovation and action. Climate Adaptation in the Sahel: Ghana’s CSIR-SARI says it has distributed 2,500 seedlings (mango, cashew and moringa) to 14 communities under the LOGMe II project, aiming to restore degraded land and strengthen agroforestry for climate resilience. Senegal’s Green Tech Push: Senegal’s Sensat is moving ahead with homemade nanosatellite work, with Gaindesat-1B designed to collect environmental and climate data—part of a broader African push for space and data independence. Air Pollution Warning for West Africa: AfriCAN 2026 reports Senegal and Cape Verde had unsafe air for more than 120 days in 2025, underlining the health risks of pollution. El Niño Threat to Cocoa & Food Prices: Fitch Solutions warns Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa export outlook faces El Niño-linked heat and rainfall risks, with knock-on effects for food inflation and rural incomes, including rice supply pressure in Senegal. Sahel Water & Soil Stress: In The Gambia, saltwater intrusion is forcing rice farmers inland and changing how communities protect fields as sea levels and rainfall uncertainty intensify. Pesticides & Farm Safety: A West Africa study flags high rates of unintentional acute pesticide poisoning among farmers and farm workers, with Senegal also affected—raising urgent questions on safer practices.

Senegal Space Push: Senegalese engineers are assembling a nanosatellite for Sensat in France, with Gaindesat-1B set to collect environmental and climate data—part of a wider African space race for tech independence. Climate & Food Risk: Fitch Solutions warns Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa export outlook is at higher risk as El Niño peaks during key crop stages, with knock-on effects for food prices, hydropower and social stability; it also flags rice import exposure across the region, including Senegal. Youth & Sport in Dakar: The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics is framed as a bridge to Los Angeles 2028, with thousands of young Senegalese trained for event-linked jobs and federations preparing athletes and coaches for new disciplines. Energy & Environment Watch: Senegal plans to offer 109 oil and gas blocks to investors, aiming to build domestic capacity alongside foreign investment. Coastal Adaptation: In The Gambia, farmers are rebuilding earthen dikes to fight saltwater intrusion into rice fields as sea-level rise and shifting rainfall push cultivation inland. Public Health & Pollution: A regional study highlights pesticide poisoning risks for West African farmers, with Senegal among the countries reporting significant annual exposure. Regional Security Spillover: A drone attack on a sanctioned Russian cargo ship off Africa’s coast raises fears the Ukraine war could extend into African waters and ports.

Refugee Sports in Dakar: Six young refugee athletes—three girls and three boys from Kenya and Uganda—will compete at Dakar 2026 as the first Refugee Olympic Team, training in Kaptagat under Eliud Kipchoge and aiming to prove that exile doesn’t end sporting dreams. Senegal Energy & Environment: Senegal says it will offer 109 oil and gas blocks to investors in an upcoming roadshow, aiming to build local capacity alongside foreign investment, with only four blocks currently operating. Senegal Space for Climate Data: Senegalese engineers are preparing Gaindesat-1B, a follow-up nanosatellite designed to collect environmental and climate data, as Sensat pushes homegrown satellite manufacturing. Gambia Power Crisis: After days of blackouts and unrest, Gambia’s police chief banned protests without permits, following violent demonstrations in Banjul and other towns. West Africa Food & Climate: At the Kigali Africa Food Systems Forum, leaders backed a $10bn plan to feed Africa by 2030, stressing that financing and climate-linked action must turn pledges into real farm and market change.

Senegal’s Climate Tech Push: Senegalese engineers in France are building the next Gaindesat satellite for environmental and climate data, as Sensat ramps up homegrown space capacity. Senegal Energy & Environment Policy: Senegal plans to offer 109 oil and gas blocks to investors, aiming to grow domestic capacity alongside foreign investment. Coastal & Water Stress in the Region: In Gambia, farmers are battling saltwater intrusion that is pushing rice production inland, with earthen dikes struggling against rising seas and harsher conditions. Local Climate Governance: A webinar highlights how to embed local and Indigenous knowledge into climate decision-making beyond consultation, using Senegal and other African country projects as examples. Pollution & Health Risk for Farmers: A West Africa study flags high rates of acute pesticide poisoning among farmers, with Senegal among the countries affected. Sports With Environmental Angle: Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics is framed as a skills bridge for future African hosting, including training for new sports and event management. Regional Power Crisis: Gambia’s blackout unrest has triggered a ban on unpermitted protests, underscoring how energy instability is spilling into public life.

Senegal’s Climate Tech Push: Senegalese engineers are assembling a nanosatellite in France, with plans to build future environmental and climate-data satellites at Sensat’s new headquarters outside Dakar—part of a wider African push for technological independence. Energy & Coastal Livelihoods: Senegal plans to cut energy subsidies to below 1% of GDP by 2029 while protecting vulnerable households, as extractive pressures intensify along the coast and communities organize to defend fishing, farming and local livelihoods. Air Pollution Warning: AfriCAN 2026 reports show Senegal and Cape Verde experienced unsafe air for more than 120 days in 2025, underscoring the health stakes of pollution. Water & Food Security: Gambia farmers are rethinking how to protect rice fields as saltwater advances, with communities building dikes to keep seawater out. Health & Industry: Africa’s vaccine push gains momentum with AfDB financing for a new Biovac facility in Cape Town to expand local production of oral cholera and inactivated polio vaccines. Agriculture Safety: A regional study flags high rates of unintentional pesticide poisoning among farmers and farm workers, with Senegal listed among the affected countries.

Senegal’s Climate Tech Push: Senegalese engineers are building homegrown nanosatellites for environmental and climate data, with Sensat saying it has “mastered the manufacturing process” and is preparing future satellites at a new Dakar-area headquarters. Coastal Livelihoods Under Pressure: Communities from Saint-Louis to Djiffer are uniting to document how extractive projects are reshaping fishing, farming and access to natural resources, from offshore incidents to erosion and waste concerns. Energy Policy Shift: Senegal plans to cut energy subsidies to below 1% of GDP by 2029, while protecting vulnerable households through targeted support and tighter budget controls. Marine Governance & Fisheries Standards: An op-ed ahead of FAO’s COFI meeting in Rome argues that transparent, shared responsibility in global value chains can strengthen fisheries management and credible standards. Gambia Sea-Level Stress: In Gambia, saltwater intrusion is forcing rice farmers to retreat inland as villagers rethink how to protect fields from advancing seawater. Senegal Oil & Gas Licensing: Senegal says it will offer 109 oil and gas blocks to investors, aiming to build domestic capacity alongside foreign investment. Local Adaptation Trees: Senegal-linked climate adaptation work highlights agroforestry support, including tree seedlings distributed to communities to restore degraded lands and boost food security. Regional Context: A major migrant rescue off the Canary Islands ended with 152 people saved, underscoring ongoing climate-linked displacement risks.

Senegal Space Push: Senegalese engineers are assembling a nanosatellite in France, with Gaindesat-1B set to collect environmental and climate data, while Sensat prepares a new Dakar-area headquarters to build more satellites at home. Energy Subsidy Reform: Senegal targets cutting energy subsidies to under 1% of GDP by 2029, with protections for vulnerable households and a shift toward targeted support. Public Finance Pressure: Prime Minister Lo says Senegal must clear $3.5bn in payment arrears and will reprofile debt (extend maturities and renegotiate rates) instead of full restructuring, after an IMF $2.2bn, three-year deal. Air Quality Alarm: A new Africa Air Quality Brief warns that Senegal and Cape Verde saw unsafe air for over 120 days in 2025, as Saharan dust and everyday pollution push PM2.5 beyond WHO limits. Climate Adaptation on the Ground: Ghana’s CSIR-SARI distributed 2,500 tree seedlings to communities to support agroforestry and restore degraded lands—an approach Senegal can watch closely. Marine Security & Pollution: Senegal’s fisheries minister visited Mauritania’s coast guard to discuss protecting the EEZ, tackling clandestine immigration, and combating marine pollution.

Gambia Power Crisis: Blackouts pushed crowds onto the streets in Banjul and Kanifing, with protesters marching toward State House, candles in hand, as daily cuts reportedly last 16–18 hours and sometimes far longer. Senegal Energy Reform: Senegal targets cutting fuel and energy subsidies to under 1% of GDP by 2029, with protections for vulnerable households and a shift toward more targeted support. Senegal Space for Climate Data: Senegalese engineers are assembling a nanosatellite in France, aiming to build future satellites at Sensat near Dakar to collect environmental and climate data. Marine Protection & Ports: Senegal’s fisheries minister visited Mauritania’s coast guard to discuss safeguarding the exclusive economic zone, tackling clandestine immigration, and combating marine pollution. Local Knowledge in Climate Policy: A webinar asks how to move from consultation to truly embedding local and Indigenous knowledge in climate decision-making and budgeting. Air Quality Warning: A new Africa Air Quality Brief says Senegal and Cape Verde saw unsafe daily air for over 120 days in 2025, driven largely by Saharan dust plus everyday pollution sources. Debt & IMF: Senegal says it will reprofile debt (extend maturities and renegotiate rates) alongside a $2.2bn, three-year IMF deal, while lawmakers question the terms.

Senegal’s IMF and debt pressure: Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo told lawmakers Senegal must clear about $3.5bn in payment arrears and will reprofile debt (extend maturities and renegotiate rates) instead of full restructuring, while Dakar also renegotiates around 30 mining contracts. Parliament backlash: MPs pushed back hard on the IMF deal, arguing it limits Senegal’s sovereignty and deepens dependence. Climate and tech for resilience: Senegal is building a homegrown nanosatellite to collect environmental and climate data, aiming to master manufacturing locally and expand future satellite work from outside Dakar. Air pollution warning for West Africa: A new AfriCAN report marks unsafe air days across the region, with Senegal and Cape Verde among the worst hit in 2025, as Saharan dust and everyday pollution push PM2.5 above WHO daily limits. Solar mini-grids in reach: IRENA says Senegal is among West African countries with near-term potential for battery-backed solar PV mini-grids, supporting wider electricity access as markets mature. Plastic and water trade-off: Coverage highlights how water sachets help millions access drinking water where taps fail, but also add to plastic pollution and waste-management strain.

Air Quality Alert for Senegal: A new AfriCAN 2026 brief says Senegal and Cape Verde endured unsafe air for more than 120 days in 2025, with Saharan dust plus pollution from traffic, cooking and waste burning pushing PM2.5 above WHO daily limits. Water Security Push: The UAE and Senegal are co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi (Dec 8–10), with a focus on turning water commitments into bankable projects and closing a $6.7tn financing gap. Solar for West Africa (incl. Senegal): IRENA reports battery-backed solar PV mini-grids could expand electricity access across Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal, with Senegal included in a near-term market of 568MW. Mango Exports Improve: Senegal’s mango shipments to Europe topped 19,000 tons in 2026, up from ~14,000 tons, after stronger fruit-fly control and tighter phytosanitary checks. Energy Partnership: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye praised Sahara Group’s support for Senegal’s energy security through its work with SAR.

IMF & Senegal’s debt stress: Senegal’s $2.2bn IMF staff-level deal hasn’t calmed bondholders; S&P cut Senegal’s ratings and markets slid further after the government signaled debt treatment under the G20 Common Framework, raising fears for foreign-currency payments. Water security & finance: The UAE and Senegal are gearing up for the December UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi, with officials stressing that solving water scarcity needs private capital and investment deals, not just public spending. Solar mini-grids for West Africa: IRENA says Nigeria has nearly 400MW of near-term solar PV mini-grid potential using batteries, and calls for stronger skills, safety standards, certification and metering across Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. Senegal mango exports rebound: Senegal’s mango shipments to Europe topped 19,000 tons in 2026 as fruit-fly control and phytosanitary checks improved, though some EU interceptions persist. Energy partnership: President Faye praised Sahara Group’s support for Senegal’s energy security through its work with SAR.

Water & Finance Diplomacy: The UAE and Senegal are co-hosting the 2026 UN Water Conference (Dec 8–10) in Abu Dhabi, with a focus on closing a $6.7tn water financing gap and turning commitments into investable projects. Clean Energy Access: IRENA urges West African countries—including Senegal—to unlock solar mini-grids with better battery storage, safety standards, open metering, and stronger local skills and certification. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Senegal’s mango exports to Europe have topped 19,000 tons in 2026, up from about 14,000, as fruit-fly control and phytosanitary checks improve. Energy Partnerships: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye praised Sahara Group’s support for Senegal’s energy security alongside SAR. Women & Digital Inclusion: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, including Senegal, using mobile money and digital lending. Governance for Reform: ACBF and Gates Foundation stress that Africa’s public-sector reforms need leadership and trust-building, not just technical expertise. Maritime Risk: Reports of tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz raise environmental stakes, even where no pollution is yet reported.

Tourism Cooperation: Senegalese tourism operators visited The Gambia to swap ideas and build joint packages, with organizers urging follow-up beyond “familiarisation tours” so partnerships translate into real tourist flows and investment. Water Diplomacy: The UAE is preparing to host the 2026 UN Water Conference (Dec 8–10) with Senegal, focusing on turning water commitments into on-the-ground action linking finance, technology and partnerships. Senegal-UAE Trade: In Dakar, Senegal’s President met the UAE’s trade minister to expand investment and trade ties in mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, food security and logistics. Energy Security: President Faye praised Sahara Group’s long support for Senegal’s energy needs through its partnership with SAR, as the country seeks reliability amid tough global markets. Women’s Finance: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, including Senegal, combining mobile money products with training and business support. IMF Deal: Senegal reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $2.2bn, three-year programme tied to debt transparency and corrective actions after previously misreported borrowing. Climate/Environment: China announced a cislunar satellite network with Senegal’s participation to monitor solar activity—relevant for space weather that can affect future missions.

Energy Security & Partnerships: President Bassirou Diomaye Faye praised Sahara Group and SAR for helping secure Senegal’s energy needs amid tough global markets, reaffirming plans to deepen the partnership. IMF & Debt Transparency: Senegal reached a staff-level deal with the IMF for a $2.2bn, three-year programme tied to restoring debt sustainability after previously misreported borrowing, with calls for clearer transparency around Sonko-linked projects. Women’s Economic Inclusion: AXIAN and the AfDB launched a digital finance push for 34,000 women-led businesses, including Senegal, using mobile money, digital lending, and training to close financing and skills gaps. Water Diplomacy: Senegal joined the launch of a Global Ambassadors’ Forum for Water and Economic Diplomacy at World Water Week, aiming to mobilize water investment and strengthen cross-border cooperation. Climate/Environment in the Wider World: China began a cislunar satellite network to monitor solar activity and space weather—relevant for protecting future missions and tracking environmental risks from extreme solar events. Maritime Risk: Reports of attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz raised environmental stakes for shipping routes, including incidents involving vessels linked to Senegal.

Women’s Finance Push in Senegal: AXIAN and the AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, using mobile money, digital lending, and training via Mixx and MVola—initially covering Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal. Public Sector Reform Focus: The ACBF and Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest more in leadership to make public financial management reforms stick, not just fund technical plans. Senegal’s IMF Deal: Senegal reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $2.2bn, three-year credit facility tied to debt transparency and corrective actions after previously misreported borrowing—sparking calls for clearer details. UAE-Senegal Trade Talks: A UAE delegation met Senegal’s president in Dakar to expand trade and investment, highlighting mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, food security and logistics. Space Weather Monitoring: China inaugurated a cislunar CubeSat network with Senegal among participating countries to track solar activity and high-energy events in Earth–Moon space. Shipping Risk, Environmental Stakes: Reports linked attacks in the Strait of Hormuz to the Senegal Prosperity tanker, raising concerns even where pollution hasn’t been reported. Water Diplomacy Platform: GWPO and partners launched a Global Ambassadors’ Forum for Water and Economic Diplomacy at World Water Week 2026, with Senegal among participants. Migrant Tragedy Off Spain: A boat rescue near the Canary Islands followed warnings that dozens more migrants—reportedly from Mali and Senegal—may have died after leaving The Gambia.

IMF Deal for Senegal: Senegal has reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $2.2bn, three-year loan to restore debt sustainability after previously misreported borrowing, with reforms focused on debt management, fiscal transparency and spending changes. Debt Transparency Push: Senegal’s new IMF financing is already sparking calls for full disclosure, as critics question how Sonko’s projects will fit the programme and what corrective measures are being planned. Women’s Finance Boost: AXIAN and the AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses across Madagascar, Tanzania and Senegal, combining mobile money access, digital lending, financial literacy and business support. Public Sector Reform Focus: ACBF and the Gates Foundation urged African governments to invest in leadership for sustainable public-sector transformation, arguing that technical fixes fail without change leadership. Senegal in Water Diplomacy: GWPO and partners launched a Global Ambassadors’ Forum for Water and Economic Diplomacy, with Senegal among participating countries. Shipping Risk in Hormuz: Reports say the Liberian-flagged tanker Senegal Prosperity was hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz; no pollution was reported, but the incident raises environmental stakes. Migrant Tragedy at Sea: Spanish rescuers reported deaths among migrants from Mali and Senegal heading toward the Canary Islands, with an NGO warning the toll may be far higher.