AGP Executive Report

Royal Tech & Service Delivery: King Mswati III has visited SOCAR’s Higher Oil School in Baku, touring labs and modern facilities, meeting students and staff, and pushing the idea that Eswatini should learn from “centres of excellence” where services and support move fast—echoing his earlier Rwanda visit to Irembo. Urban Policy Push: At the UN World Urban Forum in Baku, he urged delegates to put people at the centre of housing and city planning, warning that resilient cities protect the most vulnerable, not just skyline ambitions. Health Diplomacy: Eswatini’s health minister joined other allies in calling for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly after Taipei again missed an invitation—highlighting growing cooperation in education and healthcare. Labour & Jobs Pressure: Business Eswatini says unemployment is driven by weak growth, skills mismatch, and a system that trains jobseekers instead of enabling job creation. Digital Payments: Eswatini Mobile continues expanding e-Mali, letting users pay bills and buy airtime from phones.

Urban Housing Push: King Mswati III told UN delegates at WUF13 in Baku that cities must be judged by how they protect and empower people—not by skyscraper height—urging practical, scalable housing solutions that put the human being at the centre. Migration & Transparency: A new analysis says US third-country deportation deals are getting more secretive, with African partners pressured as checks and balances fade. Eswatini Health Diplomacy: Eswatini’s health minister backed Taiwan’s bid to be included in the World Health Assembly, arguing “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.” Digital Payments: Eswatini Mobile’s e-Mali is expanding cashless payments for bills and airtime, positioning the wallet as a secure, accessible service. HIV Prevention Shortfall: In Eswatini, demand for the twice-yearly PrEP injection is outpacing supply, with early stocks nearly depleted. Youth Jobs Pressure: Business Eswatini links unemployment to weak growth, outdated skills, and a system that still trains young people to look for jobs instead of creating them.

Jobs Pressure: South Africa’s latest labour data shows unemployment worsening fast—youth joblessness jumped by 181,000 to 4.7-million, while employed youth fell by 258,000—fueling calls to speed up labour-intensive growth and unleash SMEs as a job engine. Local Labour Reality (Eswatini): Business Eswatini links the kingdom’s crisis to weak absorption of new workers, outdated skills, and a system that still pushes job-seekers instead of job-creators; youth unemployment is reported at 56%. Health Accountability: Maternal deaths across Africa are framed as a leadership and coordination problem, not a lack of medical know-how. Digital Safety: First Ladies and leaders at Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi urged stronger protections for children online as AI and digital services expand. Taiwan in Global Health: Eswatini’s health minister again backed Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly, as allies lobby after another missed invitation. HIV Prevention Supply: Long-acting PrEP demand is outpacing doses in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout hitting near-depletion early.

Maternal health accountability: Experts say Africa’s preventable maternal deaths and stillbirths persist not because of missing medical know-how, but because leadership, coordination, and accountability keep failing women at the point of care. Jobs and skills mismatch: Business Eswatini links the country’s unemployment crisis to slow growth that can’t absorb new entrants, plus outdated qualifications and a job-seeking culture that doesn’t create enough work. Taiwan diplomacy at WHA: Eswatini’s Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula backed calls for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly after Taipei again missed an invitation, arguing “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.” Digital payments in Eswatini: e-Mali is expanding mobile wallet services for bill payments and airtime, pushing cashless access through e-wallet convenience. HPV prevention debate: South Africa’s HPV strategy vaccinates girls, but new arguments say boys should be included too to cut cancers beyond cervical disease. Health supply strain: Lenacapavir PrEP injection demand is outpacing supply in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout hitting near-depletion early.

Jobs & Skills Shock: Business Eswatini says the unemployment crisis is being driven by slow growth, outdated qualifications, and a training culture that pushes young people to hunt for jobs instead of creating them—youth unemployment (15–24) is reported at 56% and overall unemployment at 35.4%, with many “employed” workers still earning below E2,000 a month. WHA Push for Taiwan: Eswatini’s Health Minister Mduduzi Matsebula joined other Taiwan allies in Geneva urging Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly after Taipei missed an invitation, arguing “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.” Digital Payments Momentum: Eswatini Mobile is expanding e-Mali, letting users pay bills and buy airtime via mobile wallets, as the country shifts further toward cashless transactions. Health Supply Strain: A wider regional rollout of long-acting HIV prevention injection lenacapavir is facing shortages, with demand outpacing early stock in places including Eswatini. AI Safety for Children: First Ladies at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi called for stronger protections online as AI and digital access grow fast.

MTN Bushfire Festival 2026: Eswatini’s Sibu Manzini is teaming up with the disciplined Vulamasango Choir for a live Afro-house and choral fusion at House on Fire in Malkerns—built to move culture forward without drowning its voice. Health Equity: South Africa’s HPV debate is back in focus: girls get free jabs, but boys are still largely left out, even though HPV can cause cancers in men too. Digital Finance in Eswatini: e-Mali is pushing cashless payments via mobile wallets—paying utilities, buying airtime, and expanding access to formal finance. HIV Prevention Supply Strain: Lenacapavir PrEP demand is outpacing supply in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout hitting near-depletion after early uptake. China–Taiwan Pressure: China is again framing Taiwan as “part of China since ancient times,” while Taiwan points to coercion affecting its Africa diplomacy. Global Tech & Rights: Africa’s first ladies are urging safer digital spaces for children as AI and online risks grow.

Festival Culture: At MTN Bushfire Festival 2026, DJ/producer Sibu Manzini is building a live, evolving collaboration with the Vulamasango Choir—an Afro-house and choral fusion meant to move Eswatini forward without losing its voice. Health Equity: A new push in South Africa is spotlighting HPV prevention gaps: girls get free jabs, but boys are often left out—despite HPV-linked cancers affecting men too. Digital Money in Eswatini: e-Mali is expanding as a mobile wallet for sending, saving and paying bills and airtime—another step toward cashless services. China–Taiwan Pressure: China’s envoy is again rejecting Taiwan independence narratives, while Taiwan points to coercive acts that disrupted Lai Ching-te’s planned Eswatini visit. Trade Leverage: China’s expanded zero-tariff access for many African states is framed as a negotiation boost—though Eswatini’s Taiwan ties may keep it outside the deal. Ongoing Watch: Reports keep flagging Russia’s “shadow fleet” using African shipping registries to skirt sanctions.

MTN Bushfire Festival 2026: Sibu Manzini is bringing electronic Afro-house into a live, evolving collab with Vulamasango Choir at House on Fire in Malkerns Valley—an “Eswatini moving forward” sound that refuses to treat culture like background music. Taiwan–China Diplomacy: China’s envoy in Nigeria doubled down on the One-China line, calling Taiwan part of China “since ancient times,” while Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te pointed to China’s alleged flight-route blocking tied to his postponed Eswatini visit. Health Equity: South Africa’s HPV debate is back in focus: girls get free jabs, but boys still don’t—raising questions as the 2026–2030 strategy rolls out. Digital & Money in Eswatini: e-Mali is pushing cashless payments via mobile wallets for bills and airtime, while Eswatini’s tax drive leans on electronic invoicing to plug a reported E4.259bn annual revenue gap. Health Supply Pressure: Lenacapavir PrEP demand is outpacing supply in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout hitting near-depletion after strong uptake.

HPV Vaccines for Boys: South Africa’s 2026–2030 HPV plan is pushing a long-overdue message: HPV isn’t only a women’s issue. With HPV linked to cancers of the throat, penis and anus, the health department says girls should be vaccinated from age nine before 15—but boys also need protection because many infections show no symptoms. Eswatini Trade Reality Check: China’s expanded zero-tariff access to about 53 African countries could boost exports, but Eswatini is reportedly left out due to its ties with Taiwan—highlighting how diplomacy can shape everyday economic opportunity. Digital Money in Motion: e-Mali is expanding in Eswatini, letting users pay bills and buy airtime from phones, as the country leans further into cashless services. Health Supply Pressure: Lenacapavir PrEP demand is outpacing supply in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout reaching only a small slice of need. Print Still Matters: ESWATINI Observer’s acting MD argues print journalism is far from dying locally, especially where people prefer something they can “touch and feel.” Big Picture Politics: Taiwan’s leaders keep pointing to China’s pressure tactics, while Africa’s first ladies call for stronger online child protections as AI spreads.

Creative Arts Recognition: Ghana’s Manhyia Palace Museum has honoured eight creative arts figures—five Ghanaian and three international—at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards, with laureates also receiving ICT diaries, underscoring how culture and technology are being linked in the region. Digital Rights & Security: A new discussion on “Everywhere Insiders 46” spotlights Africa’s security, rights and governance crises, tying instability to weak oversight and external pressure. Innovation & Identity Tech: Senegal’s team again won the African Digital ID Hackathon, showing momentum for practical digital identity tools built for everyday African problems. Eswatini Tech Payments: e-Mali is expanding cashless payments in Eswatini, letting users pay bills and buy airtime via mobile wallets. Health Supply Pressure: Lenacapavir PrEP demand is outpacing supply in parts of Africa, with Eswatini’s rollout hitting near-depletion after fast uptake. China–Taiwan Tensions: China reiterated its One-China stance while pointing to Taiwan’s engagements in Africa, including the Eswatini visit controversy.

Digital Identity Push: Senegal’s Team TrustSeal won the African Digital ID Hackathon 2026 for the best overall app using digital identity to solve everyday problems, with finalists pitching in Abidjan and the competition run by Upanzi Network at Carnegie Melon University Africa and MicroSave. Health Equity Gap: South Africa’s HPV strategy vaccinates girls but leaves boys out, even though men can carry HPV that can later lead to cancers—raising pressure for broader vaccination coverage. Sanctions Evasion Watch: A “shadow fleet” of Russian-linked tankers is increasingly using African shipping registries and flags of convenience to keep sanctioned oil moving. Eswatini Tech Payments: e-Mali, Eswatini Mobile’s wallet service, is expanding cashless payments—bill payments, airtime and secure transfers—aimed at wider access to formal finance. Tax Compliance Drive: Eswatini is rolling out electronic invoicing to close an estimated E4.259bn annual tax gap. Wildlife Conservation: India-led IBCA Summit 2026 in June is gaining momentum, with Saudi Arabia set to join as the 26th member.

HPV Vaccines: South Africa’s push to vaccinate girls against HPV is clear, but a new report highlights the gap for boys—men can carry HPV silently and still face throat and anal cancers, plus fertility risks, with the 2026–2030 strategy urging earlier protection for girls while the “boys should be next” argument grows louder. Sanctions Evasion: A deep dive into Russia’s “shadow fleet” shows tankers increasingly registered under African flags to keep sanctioned oil moving, pointing to weak registry checks as a key weak link. Africa–EU Diplomacy: King Mswati III says stronger parliamentary diplomacy between Africa and Europe is vital for climate, debt, youth mobility and minerals partnerships. Print Still Matters: Eswatini Observer’s acting MD argues print journalism is far from dying locally, especially where people prefer something they can “touch and feel.” Eswatini Tech & Health: e-Mali expands cashless payments, while HIV prevention injections (lenacapavir PrEP) face supply shortfalls despite fast uptake. Taiwan Pressure: Taiwan’s Lai links China’s flight-route blocking to “authoritarian consolidation,” as child-safety leaders warn AI is raising new online risks.

Rail “Uberisation” in South Africa: Transnet says it’s ending more than 110 years of rail monopoly by letting private operators access 41 routes via new rail access agreements, with Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (Trim) now allocating rail slots through a competitive marketplace. HIV prevention squeeze in Eswatini: Lenacapavir PrEP demand is outpacing supply after early rollout gains—pilot sites expanded to 27, but initial stocks are nearly depleted, leaving clinics with only weeks of doses. Digital payments push: e-Mali is expanding as Eswatini’s mobile wallet for sending, saving and paying bills and services straight from phones. Border upgrades: South Africa unveiled a R12.5bn plan to overhaul six land borders, including Beitbridge, to boost flow for millions of travellers and hundreds of thousands of trucks. Africa–China debate: Macron’s China-bashing at an Africa summit is being challenged as “projection,” with critics pointing to China’s trade and zero-tariff access claims. Democracy and Taiwan pressure: Taiwan’s Lai cited China’s flight-route blocking tied to his postponed Eswatini visit as authoritarian “consolidation.”

PhD Spotlight: Walter Sisulu’s grandson, Dr Shaka Sisulu, has earned a PhD at GIBS for research on how African business elites coordinate—and how that coordination can strengthen governance and democratic institutions. Border Tech & Trade: South Africa unveiled a R12.5bn plan to upgrade six land borders, including Beitbridge, aiming to cut delays and boost cross-border movement. Digital Payments in Eswatini: e-Mali is expanding as a mobile wallet for sending, receiving, saving and paying bills like water and electricity—pushing cashless convenience for everyday users. Taiwan–China Pressure: President Lai Ching-te used the Copenhagen Democracy Summit to point to China’s alleged obstruction of his Eswatini trip as proof authoritarian regimes are tightening control through economic and operational pressure. Sanctions Evasion Watch: Reports say Russia’s “shadow fleet” is using African shipping registries to keep sanctioned oil moving.

Taiwan–China Pressure: Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te says China blocked his Eswatini visit by “blocking normal flight routes,” calling it proof authoritarian regimes are “consolidating” worldwide. China–Africa Trade Leverage: The same week’s reporting ties Beijing’s Taiwan stance to economic statecraft, including China’s zero-tariff push for African countries that back the One China principle—while Eswatini is excluded. Sanctions Evasion Watch: Russia’s “shadow fleet” is increasingly using African shipping registries and weak verification to keep sanctioned oil moving. Digital Safety for Kids: First Ladies at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi urged governments and tech firms to protect children in AI-driven digital spaces, stressing regulation plus education. Eswatini Revenue & Youth: Eswatini’s tax gap is flagged at E4.259bn a year, while a validated youth report warns unemployment and school dropouts are deepening pressures on young people. Fintech Expansion: Araxi shareholders backed its Pay@ acquisition to expand payments across Southern Africa.

Africa–France Deal Push: President William Ruto opened the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi with a clear message to Macron: partnerships must be built on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and investment—not dependency, aid, or extraction. Taiwan Tensions Spill Into Eswatini: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te pointed to China’s alleged obstruction of his Eswatini trip as proof authoritarian regimes are “consolidating,” using pressure tactics that can even disrupt flight routes. Eswatini Revenue Focus: Eswatini is losing an estimated E4.259bn in tax revenue each year, and the Finance Minister says a new electronic invoicing push aims to improve compliance and protect the national revenue base. Health Funding Warning: USAID’s exit in Africa is exposing how fragile donor-funded health systems can be when domestic ownership and financing lag. Youth Under Strain: A validated State of the Youth report flags high unemployment and school dropouts, with mental health and social pressures rising alongside HIV and gender risks. Sports Professionalisation: The sports ministry warns administrators and athletes to “shape up” as government moves to formalise pathways and training.