AGP Executive Report

Shipping Costs & Trade: CMA CGM announced new July 2026 Peak Season Surcharges, including a US$200 per TEU charge on China-to-West Africa North Range routes that covers São Tomé and Príncipe (with some exclusions), plus additional US$50 per TEU for Central/North China to Senegal—raising near-term logistics costs for regional exporters and importers. Maritime Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has formally designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—with no-take zones that restrict industrial fishing and protect habitats like mangroves, reefs, and nesting beaches. Aviation & Tourism Signals: A World Bank Tourism Watch update shows São Tomé and Príncipe saw a 7% drop in estimated aviation passenger arrivals in early 2026, while nearby markets like Sierra Leone posted strong growth—an indicator to watch for connectivity and demand. Innovation & IP Cooperation: The EPO president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen cooperation on innovation, technology transfer, and patent protection, including a validation agreement milestone for Angola.

Shipping Costs: CMA CGM announced new Peak Season Surcharges for July 2026, including US$500 per container from the Indian Subcontinent to Central America/Caribbean/West South America (from 15 July 2026) and US$1,000 per container to Red Sea ports (from 18 July 2026), plus China-linked charges of US$200 per TEU to West Africa North Range (starting 6 July 2026) covering Liberia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Gambia, and São Tomé and Príncipe (with a separate US$50 per TEU add-on for Central/North China to Senegal). Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has formally designated its first two marine protected areas—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé (55.8 km², including an 8 km² fully protected zone) and Santana (7.4 km², with a 1 km² no-take area)—as part of a planned network of eight MPAs aimed at protecting habitats and key fishing grounds while allowing regulated artisanal use. Innovation & IP: The European Patent Organisation’s president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen co-operation on innovation, technology transfer, and patent protection, including an Angola validation agreement for European patents signed on 23 June. Aviation Demand: São Tomé and Príncipe saw a 7% drop in estimated aviation passenger arrivals in early 2026, while Sierra Leone posted 23% growth—an indicator of shifting regional connectivity that could affect tourism and trade flows.

Aviation & Tourism: São Tomé and Príncipe is among the few countries in West and Central Africa seeing a drop in estimated passenger arrivals, with a 7% decline in Q1 2026—while nearby markets like Sierra Leone (+23% y/y) and Cabo Verde (+24%) keep growing, signaling shifting regional connectivity and travel demand. Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off the coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—covering mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches and key fishing grounds, with no-take zones that restrict industrial fishing and protect threatened species. Innovation & IP Cooperation: The European Patent Organisation’s president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen patent protection, technology transfer and innovation ties, including a validation agreement signed with Angola that could help integrate regional firms into the international patent system. Water & Development Context: Global data highlights how clean water access still lags in many countries, underscoring why water infrastructure and reliable services remain central to industry, health and daily life.

Marine Conservation & Fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—part of a planned network of eight MPAs covering 93 km², with no-take zones protecting key habitats like mangroves, nesting beaches, reefs, and fishing grounds. Innovation & IP Cooperation: The European Patent Organisation’s president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen co-operation on innovation, technology transfer, and patent protection, including Angola’s 23 June agreement to validate European patents. Water & Industry Risk: A new global map highlights extreme water stress pressures—Kuwait tops the list at 3,850%—and shows how water scarcity can ripple into agriculture, manufacturing, and daily supply. Regional Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, with prior experience covering São Tomé and Príncipe and major project financing across energy, fertiliser, and infrastructure. Sustainable Development Rankings: Tunisia placed third in Africa and 72nd globally in the 2026 Sustainable Development Report, with progress in health and education but ongoing strain from resource pressures and territorial inequalities.

Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—part of a planned network of eight MPAs aimed at protecting mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches and key fishing grounds, including no-take zones that restrict industrial fishing. Innovation & IP: The European Patent Organisation president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to strengthen co-operation on patents, innovation and technology transfer, including Angola’s validation agreement for European patents signed in June. Regional Trade Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), bringing leadership experience from client relations work across Anglophone West Africa that included São Tomé and Príncipe. Water & Industry Risk: New global mapping highlights water stress pressures—some countries use far more freshwater than nature can replenish—raising risks for agriculture, manufacturing and daily supply as climate patterns shift.

Sustainable Development Benchmark: Tunisia placed 3rd in Africa and 72nd globally in the 2026 Sustainable Development Report, scoring 71.3/100—stronger access to health and education, but still held back by territorial inequalities, resource pressure, and slower sustainable growth. Innovation & IP Cooperation: The European Patent Organisation’s president visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, signing an Angola validation agreement for European patents and pushing technology transfer and stronger patent protection to support investment and innovation. Marine Conservation for Fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe officially designated its first two marine protected areas—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—covering mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches, and key fishing grounds, including no-take zones to protect turtles and seabirds. Regional Trade Finance Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (from May 1), with prior experience overseeing client relations across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde.

Patent & Innovation Co-operation: The European Patent Organisation’s president, António Campinos, visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to boost innovation links, including the 23 June signing of an agreement to validate European patents in Angola—aimed at strengthening the innovation ecosystem and attracting investment. Marine Conservation for Fisheries & Tourism: São Tomé and Príncipe has designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast: Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé (with fully protected zones and no-take limits) and Santana (including a 1 km² no-take area), protecting mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches and key fishing grounds. Trade & Finance Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), overseeing 13 countries including São Tomé and Príncipe, with a background in financing major industrial and infrastructure projects.

Patent & Innovation Cooperation: The European Patent Organisation’s President António Campinos visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to boost innovation, technology transfer, and patent protection, including the 23 June signing of an Angola–EPO validation agreement that links Angola more tightly to the international patent system. Marine Conservation & Fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe has formally designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—with no-take protection in key zones to safeguard mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches, and fishing grounds for artisanal use. Regional Trade & Finance Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), taking over from Humphrey Nwugo; Olowononi previously covered client relations across São Tomé and Príncipe and helped expand financing for major industrial and infrastructure projects.

Patent & innovation ties: EPO President António Campinos visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to boost cooperation on patents, technology transfer and innovation, highlighting Angola’s June 23 signature of an agreement validating European patents—an effort to plug the country more tightly into the international IP system. Marine conservation for fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—covering mangroves, reefs and key fishing grounds, including no-take zones that restrict industrial extraction while allowing regulated artisanal use. EU election monitoring: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission in São Tomé and Príncipe for the July 19 presidential vote and the September 27 legislative/local/regional elections, with a core team already in-country and long-term observers joining later. Regional trade & finance leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (from May 1), with prior experience overseeing client relations across Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, São Tomé and Príncipe and Cape Verde. Agro-export momentum: A new trade roundup spotlights Africa’s most valuable farm exports—led by cocoa, coffee, cashews and other high-value commodities—showing where profitability and market access are driving export growth.

Innovation & IP: The European Patent Organisation’s president, António Campinos, visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to boost co-operation on patents, innovation and technology transfer, including Angola’s signature (23 June) of an agreement to validate European patents—an effort meant to strengthen local innovation and link it to the international patent system. Marine Conservation & Fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe has designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast: Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana, with no-take protection in key zones to safeguard habitats like mangroves, reefs and nesting beaches while keeping limited, authorized artisanal fishing in surrounding waters. Regional Trade & Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), with prior experience covering São Tomé and Príncipe among other Anglophone West African markets. Elections Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission in São Tomé and Príncipe for the 2026 presidential elections (July 19) and other polls later in the year, led by MEP Sérgio Humberto.

Innovation & IP: EPO President António Campinos visited Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe to boost co-operation on patents, innovation and technology transfer, including Angola’s June 23 signature of an agreement validating European patents—an effort aimed at strengthening local innovation ecosystems and attracting investment. Marine & Fisheries: São Tomé and Príncipe has designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—covering mangroves, reefs and key fishing grounds, with no-take protection in parts to safeguard turtles, seabirds and biodiversity. Elections & Governance: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission for São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 elections, with teams already in place and long-term observers set to join, to assess the presidential and subsequent legislative and local votes. Trade & Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1, bringing prior experience that included client relations across São Tomé and Príncipe and support for major industrial and infrastructure financing. Energy Outlook: Petrobras and Mexico’s Pemex signed an MoU to co-operate on Gulf of Mexico oil exploration and development, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater evaluation—relevant for regional offshore know-how and investment flows.

Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—part of a plan for eight sites covering 93 km² in the Gulf of Guinea, including no-take zones that restrict industrial fishing while allowing limited, legal artisanal use. Finance & Trade: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1, with prior experience spanning client relations across Anglophone West Africa including São Tomé and Príncipe. Elections Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to São Tomé and Príncipe for the 2026 presidential and subsequent legislative, local, and regional elections, with teams already arriving to monitor the process. Energy (Regional Interest): Petrobras signed an MoU with Mexico’s Pemex to explore and develop projects in the Gulf of Mexico, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas—an update that also highlights Petrobras’ broader offshore push, including past acreage interest in São Tomé and Príncipe. Water Access (Data): A global mapping effort shows safe drinking water remains out of reach for over 2 billion people, underscoring infrastructure gaps that can shape future development priorities.

Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—covering 93 km² in the Gulf of Guinea, including no-take zones that bar industrial fishing while allowing limited artisanal use. Regional Finance & Trade: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1, with prior experience spanning financing across Nigeria and including São Tomé and Príncipe. Elections Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to monitor São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 presidential and subsequent legislative/local/regional elections, with teams already arriving and long-term observers set to join. Energy & Macroeconomics: The IMF’s new Africa chief, Zeine Zeidane, says Middle East conflict is still disrupting energy and fertilizer supplies, and notes the fund has already approved additional support for countries including São Tomé and Príncipe. Oil Industry Watch: Petrobras and Mexico’s Pemex signed an MoU to explore and develop projects in the Gulf of Mexico, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas.

Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two of eight planned marine protected areas in the Gulf of Guinea, including Santana (with a 1 km² no-take zone) and Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé (55.8 km², with 8 km² fully protected), aiming to safeguard mangroves, reefs, nesting beaches and key fishing grounds. Elections Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to monitor São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 elections, with a core team already in-country and long-term observers set to join later in June. IMF Support: IMF’s new Africa chief Zeine Zeidane says Middle East conflict fallout is still hitting sub-Saharan Africa via trade, energy and fertilizer disruptions, and notes the IMF has already approved extra financing for Burkina Faso, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe. Regional Finance Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1, bringing experience that includes work across São Tomé and Príncipe.

Marine Conservation: São Tomé and Príncipe has officially designated its first two marine protected areas off its coast—Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé and Santana—part of a planned network of eight MPAs in the Gulf of Guinea, with no-take zones protecting key habitats like mangroves, nesting beaches, reefs, and fishing grounds. EU Oversight: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to monitor São Tomé and Príncipe’s 2026 elections, including the presidential vote on July 19 and later legislative and local/regional elections, with a team arriving in mid-June. Regional Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), bringing prior experience that included client relations work covering São Tomé and Príncipe. Macroeconomic Watch: The IMF’s new Africa chief, Zeine Zeidane, warned that Middle East conflict fallout could keep energy and fertilizer disruptions hitting sub-Saharan Africa for months, while noting continued support for countries including São Tomé and Príncipe.

IMF Support for São Tomé and Príncipe: The IMF’s new Africa chief, Zeine Zeidane, says Middle East conflict fallout is still hitting sub-Saharan Africa through slower energy and fertilizer supplies, and that the Fund has already approved augmented financing for Burkina Faso, The Gambia, and São Tomé and Príncipe, with Ethiopia also getting accelerated support. Afreximbank Leadership Move: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as Director of Regional Operations for Southern Africa (effective May 1), taking over from Humphrey Nwugo; Olowononi previously covered client relations across Anglophone West Africa, including São Tomé and Príncipe, and helped finance major industrial and infrastructure projects. EU Election Monitoring: The EU will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to São Tomé and Príncipe for the July 19 presidential election and the September 27 legislative/local/regional elections, led by MEP Sérgio Humberto. Oil & Gas Cooperation: Petrobras and Mexico’s Pemex signed a memorandum to cooperate on Gulf of Mexico exploration, including deepwater and ultra-deepwater work, with the deal framed as strategic and technical rather than a binding investment commitment. Water Access Data: A new global map highlights where safely managed drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring the infrastructure gap facing many low-income countries.