AGP Executive Report

Energy & Investment: Petrobras is stepping up international growth, adding offshore Cote d’Ivoire blocks and weighing new opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, with recent acquisitions also including Sao Tome and Principe—signaling more cross-border deals ahead. Aviation & Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU due to serious safety concerns. Trade & Customs Capacity: Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from Sao Tome and Principe joined Training of Trainers workshops to strengthen origin determination skills for preferential trade agreements. Health & Patents: PATAM and Third World Network filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead Sciences patent application on broad HIV integrase inhibitor compounds, arguing prior disclosures undermine novelty and inventive step across ARIPO contracting states. Education & Regional Links: The 35th AULP annual meeting opened at the University of Macau, bringing together Portuguese-speaking universities, including Sao Tome and Principe, to deepen higher-education cooperation. Geopolitics & Influence: Russia is expanding its “Russian Houses” network across Africa via Rossotrudnichestvo and a new public diplomacy center, aiming to shape African public opinion alongside military support efforts.

Patent & Public Health: PATAM and Third World Network filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead Sciences HIV patent application, arguing earlier disclosures and prior scientific work undermine novelty and inventive step, with potential impact across 21 ARIPO contracting states. Higher Education & Portuguese-Speaking Links: The 35th AULP annual meeting opened at the University of Macau, bringing together more than 150 representatives from Portuguese-speaking universities, including São Tomé and Príncipe, to deepen academic cooperation. Oil & Regional Investment: Petrobras is expanding internationally, adding new offshore Cote d’Ivoire blocks and weighing further investments in Mexico and Venezuela, alongside recent acquisitions including in São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With EU-WCO support, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe trained as “trainers of trainers” to strengthen rules-of-origin expertise for preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan carriers removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from EU operations. Sports (Regional Note): Malawi’s national team coach faces growing pressure after a 1-0 loss to Ethiopia, with prior defeats including to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Patent & Medicines: PATAM and Third World Network filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead Sciences HIV patent application, arguing earlier disclosures and prior scientific work undermine novelty and inventive step across ARIPO’s 21 contracting states. Oil & Gas: Petrobras is expanding internationally, signing production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks and weighing further investments in Mexico and Venezuela, with recent acquisitions also including São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Portuguese-speaking countries including São Tomé and Príncipe trained as “trainers of trainers” to strengthen rules-of-origin expertise for preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from EU operations over serious safety concerns. Regional Economy Watch: A comparison using Bloomberg and IMF projections highlights how Dangote’s wealth now exceeds the projected GDP of multiple African economies, including smaller states such as São Tomé and Príncipe.

Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras is expanding internationally, signing production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire and weighing further investments in Mexico and Venezuela, alongside recent acquisitions including in São Tomé and Príncipe—signaling more cross-border deals ahead. Trade Facilitation: With the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé & Príncipe took part in Training of Trainers workshops to strengthen how origin rules are applied under free trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from EU operations over serious compliance concerns. Regional Business Context: A Bloomberg/IMF comparison highlights how Dangote’s growing refinery-driven wealth can exceed the projected GDP of multiple African economies, including smaller states such as São Tomé and Príncipe. Sports & Local Impact: Pressure is mounting on Malawi coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Lovemore Fazili after poor results, including a reported loss to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras is expanding internationally, signing production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire and weighing further investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, with recent acquisitions also noted in Namibia, South Africa, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With EU-WCO support, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé & Príncipe joined Training of Trainers workshops to build local capacity on rules of origin for preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU. Regional Business Context: A comparison using Bloomberg billionaire estimates and IMF 2026 GDP projections highlights how Dangote’s growing wealth—driven increasingly by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery—now exceeds the projected economies of several African countries, including smaller states such as São Tomé and Príncipe. Sports Pressure (Local Link): Malawi’s national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa and Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili face mounting criticism after poor results, including a reported loss to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras says it’s expanding internationally, adding production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire and weighing new investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, alongside recent acquisitions that include Sao Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Portuguese-speaking countries (including Sao Tomé and Príncipe) are building national pools of rules-of-origin experts after EU-WCO training to strengthen how preferential trade agreements are applied. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed, while Air Express Algeria was added after safety concerns, affecting which airlines can operate in the EU. Sports Pressure: Malawi’s national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa and Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili face mounting criticism after poor results, including a recent loss where Sao Tomé and Príncipe is cited among opponents. Local Environment & Tourism: A feature highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s endemic birdlife, linking conservation interest with the islands’ tourism appeal. Finance Oversight: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaoundé to discuss emerging risks, including digital fraud, cybersecurity and climate risks, aiming to keep regional financial systems stable. Startup & Regional Links: The 929 Challenge is set to join AIE Expo 2026 in Macao, with a new acceleration programme designed to help startups enter the Greater Bay Area market, explicitly including São Tomé and Príncipe among Portuguese-speaking countries.

Petrobras Expansion: The state-run oil giant is stepping up international growth, adding offshore Cote d’Ivoire blocks via production-sharing contracts and weighing new investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela—alongside recent acquisitions that include São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is training Customs and economic operators, with officials from São Tomé and Príncipe among those taking part in “Training of Trainers” workshops to strengthen how preferential trade rules are applied. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan’s certified air carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU. Regional Finance Oversight: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde to focus on emerging risks, including digital fraud, cybersecurity, climate risks, and the rise of cross-border banking groups. Local Sports Pressure: Malawi’s national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa and Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili face mounting criticism after poor results, including a past loss to São Tomé and Príncipe. Biodiversity Spotlight: A new feature highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s endemic birdlife, shaped by the islands’ long isolation and volcanic forests.

Energy & Investment: Petrobras is expanding internationally, adding offshore Cote d’Ivoire blocks via production-sharing contracts and weighing further investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, with recent acquisitions also noted in Namibia, South Africa, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With EU-WCO support, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Portuguese-speaking countries including São Tomé and Príncipe have joined “Training of Trainers” workshops to build local capacity on rules of origin for preferential trade deals. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s certified carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU. Sports: Pressure is mounting on Malawi coaches Kalisto Pasuwa and Lovemore Fazili after poor results, including a recent loss that reportedly featured São Tomé and Príncipe. Local Industry & Services: São Tomé and Príncipe is also mentioned in broader regional coverage, including a startup acceleration push tied to Portuguese-speaking countries, with São Tomé and Príncipe included among the participating markets.

Oil & Gas Deals: Petrobras is stepping up international growth with new production-sharing contracts for offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks and is also assessing further investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, on top of recent moves that include São Tomé and Príncipe. Energy Exploration: Galp Energia has signed a tentative deal to run offshore exploration studies in Equatorial Guinea, with the company already active in the region via partnerships near São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support, customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe joined “Training of Trainers” workshops to strengthen rules-of-origin expertise for preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan’s certified carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU. Regional Finance: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde to focus on emerging risks, including digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI and climate risks, aiming to keep financial systems stable. Business & Industry Link: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing experience that includes client relations work covering São Tomé and Príncipe.

Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras keeps growing abroad, adding new offshore Cote d’Ivoire production-sharing blocks and weighing further investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, with recent acquisitions also reaching Namibia, South Africa, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Offshore Exploration Watch: Galp Energia signs a tentative deal to run exploration studies on offshore Equatorial Guinea blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H, with the company already active as a partner in ultra-deepwater acreage near São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is building local know-how, with Customs officers from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe completing training-of-trainers workshops to strengthen rules-of-origin implementation for preferential trade deals. Aviation Safety: The EU updates its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan’s certified carriers are removed, while Air Express Algeria is added and barred from operating in the EU. Finance Oversight: African banking supervisors meet in Yaounde to tackle emerging risks, including digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI and climate risks, aiming to keep financial systems stable. Regional Banking Leadership: Afreximbank appoints Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing experience across client relations that included São Tomé and Príncipe.

Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras is stepping up international growth, adding production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks and weighing further investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, alongside recent acquisitions including in São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe have joined “Training of Trainers” pools to strengthen rules-of-origin expertise for preferential trade agreements. Banking Supervision: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde to focus on emerging risks, including digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI, and climate risks, aiming to keep financial systems stable. Afreximbank Appointments: Afreximbank named Peter Adeshola Olowononi director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing experience from client relations work across Anglophone West Africa that included São Tomé and Príncipe. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List: Kyrgyzstan’s carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and barred from operating in the EU.

Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras keeps expanding abroad, signing production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks and weighing new investment opportunities in Mexico and Venezuela, on top of recent acquisitions including in São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support, Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Portuguese-speaking countries (including São Tomé and Príncipe) set up national pools of rules-of-origin experts, after Training of Trainers workshops in April and June 2026 to strengthen compliant use of preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan’s certified carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and can no longer operate in the EU due to serious safety concerns. Regional Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, with prior experience covering client relations across Anglophone West Africa that included São Tomé and Príncipe. Energy Exploration: Galp signed a tentative MoU to run exploration studies on offshore Equatorial Guinea blocks near the maritime boundary with São Tomé and Príncipe, potentially marking a formal debut there.

Endemic Nature & Tourism: São Tomé and Príncipe’s isolated volcanic forests are home to suites of rare endemic birds on both islands, a biodiversity draw shaped by centuries of geographic separation. Aviation Safety & Connectivity: The EU updated its Air Safety List: all Kyrgyzstan-certified carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and can no longer operate in the EU. Trade Rules of Origin: With WCO support, Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and São Tomé and Príncipe joined Training of Trainers workshops to build local capacity for applying preferential rules of origin under EU-WCO programmes. Energy & Offshore Work: Galp is reported to have signed a tentative deal to run exploration studies on offshore acreage in Equatorial Guinea, with the company already active nearby through partnerships offshore São Tomé and Príncipe. Finance & Regional Trade: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing experience from client relations work covering São Tomé and Príncipe. Diplomacy & Partnerships: South Korea’s foreign minister held bilateral talks with counterparts including São Tomé and Príncipe, focusing on expanding cooperation across economy, maritime security and development.

Aviation Safety & Trade Access: The EU updated its Air Safety List, removing all Kyrgyz-certified air carriers after safety oversight improvements and adding Air Express Algeria, which can no longer operate in the EU due to serious safety shortcomings—while a new Eurobarometer survey finds seven in ten Europeans trust the list as an effective passenger protection tool. Customs & Rules of Origin Capacity: With free trade agreements expanding, WCO support under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is helping Customs officials build local training pools; Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Portuguese-speaking countries including Sao Tome and Principe took part in Training of Trainers workshops in April and June 2026 to strengthen origin determination. Finance & Banking Supervision: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde, with BEAC leadership urging regulators to better manage emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity, stablecoins and climate risks to protect financial stability. Regional Trade Finance Leadership: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing experience from client relations work across Anglophone West Africa including Sao Tome and Principe. Energy Exploration Link: Galp signed a tentative MoU to study offshore exploration blocks in Equatorial Guinea, marking a potential expansion that also complements its existing presence in ultra-deepwater acreage near Sao Tome and Principe. Diplomacy for Industry Links: South Korea’s foreign minister held bilateral talks with counterparts including Sao Tome and Principe, focusing on expanding cooperation across economy, defense and maritime security.

Trade Facilitation: Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Sao Tome & Principe have completed WCO Training of Trainers workshops under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, building local expert pools to help businesses and administrations apply preferential rules of origin correctly. Finance & Risk: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde with BEAC and COBAC hosting, with calls to strengthen oversight against emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI-driven threats, and climate risks. Energy & Oil & Gas: Galp Energia signed a tentative MoU to run offshore exploration studies in Equatorial Guinea (blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H), marking a potential expansion beyond its existing partner role near Sao Tome & Principe. Regional Banking Appointments: Afreximbank named Peter Adeshola Olowononi director of regional operations for Southern Africa, bringing prior West Africa client-relations experience that included Sao Tome & Principe. Diplomacy for Industry: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held bilateral talks with counterparts including Sao Tome and Principe, focusing on expanding cooperation in economy, defense, maritime security, and development.

Energy & Oil-Gas: Galp Energia signed a tentative deal to run exploration studies on offshore acreage in Equatorial Guinea (blocks EG-02, EG-09 and H), a potential step toward a production sharing contract and a notable move given Galp’s existing role in ultra-deepwater projects near São Tomé and Príncipe. Trade & Finance: Afreximbank appointed Peter Adeshola Olowononi as director of regional operations for Southern Africa, effective May 1, with a mandate covering 13 countries and building on his prior work across Anglophone West Africa, including São Tomé and Príncipe. Diplomacy for Industry: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held bilateral talks with counterparts including São Tomé and Príncipe’s foreign minister in Seoul, discussing expanded cooperation across the economy, maritime security, development, and energy. Startup & Innovation: The 929 Challenge is expanding into AIE Expo Macao 2026, adding an acceleration programme aimed at helping startups enter the Greater Bay Area market, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among the Portuguese-speaking countries in the 929 network. Banking Oversight: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde to focus on managing emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI and climate risks to protect financial stability.