AGP Executive Report

DNA & Courts: Two separate DNA tests confirm only 4 of 25 people claiming to be late Kadongo Kamu legend Paul Job Kafeero’s children are biologically related, a forensic update expected to settle paternity and estate disputes. LGBT Rights & Compliance: Eswatini’s Supreme Court orders the government to officially recognize and register the LGBT advocacy group Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM), giving authorities 60 days to comply after years of refusals. Women, Tech & Wellness: IHI is set to host a July 23 event aimed at inspiring women in business through technology and wellness, focusing on inclusive growth and action. Agri Innovation: The Eswatini Solutions Marketplace 2026 is calling for home-grown tech and research solutions to tackle climate stress, post-harvest losses, low productivity and weak value chains. Digital Health for Youth: MTN Enactus backs five youth-led digital health projects with E50,000 seed funding, including apps targeting nurse unemployment and faster care access. Solar & Energy Deals: Reports say Wicknell Chivayo received royal honours and citizenship after pledging major solar investment, keeping renewable energy and governance questions in the spotlight.

Women in Tech & Wellness: IHI is set to host a July 23 event in Eswatini aimed at getting women in business to move from ideas to action, using technology and wellness to drive inclusive growth. Agritech Innovation Push: The Eswatini Solutions Marketplace 2026 is calling for home-grown solutions to tackle climate stress, post-harvest losses, low productivity and weak value chains, spotlighting examples like UNESWA’s Nutri Plum organic fertiliser from chicken feather waste. Energy & Solar Deal Fallout: Eswatini’s government says King Mswati granted Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo citizenship and a diplomatic passport, alongside a reported E3 billion, 300MW solar investment plan—sparking public outrage and fresh scrutiny. Digital Health for Youth: MTN Enactus awarded E50,000 to five youth-led digital health projects, including apps aimed at improving healthcare access and creating income opportunities for nurses. HIV Prevention Access: Doctors Without Borders is urging governments to use legal tools to challenge Gilead’s monopoly on Lenacapavir to expand access and cut prices ahead of major UN HIV/Aids talks. Biotech Information for Trade: Ethiopia is set to benefit from a new Africa-wide biotech database that consolidates biosafety and regulation rules to reduce delays and compliance confusion across borders. Healthcare Infrastructure Upgrade: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, including restoring the water system and adding beds.

Biotech Access: Ethiopia is set to benefit from a new Africa-wide digital biotechnology and biosafety database, aiming to centralize rules on import, export and transit so regulators, traders and researchers can move faster with fewer compliance delays. Solar Push: Eswatini’s government says Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has been granted citizenship and a diplomatic passport, alongside a reported R3 billion commitment for a 300MW solar project—sparking public backlash over the royal honours. Energy Investment: A separate report says Eswatini is also moving ahead with major solar diplomacy, with officials set to bring forward an E3bn solar plan. Digital Health for Youth: MTN Eswatini backed five youth-led digital health projects with E50,000 seed funding, including tools aimed at easing nurse unemployment and improving access to care. Healthcare Safety Watch: The Ministry of Health cautioned the public about rising social-media use of ashwagandha, warning stress-suppressing claims aren’t proven and could be risky. New Industry Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is launching a Nokwane factory under the SEZ to produce aluminium and copper cables, with investment above E600 million and about 200 jobs expected.

Renewable Energy Deal: King Mswati III hosted Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, granting him Eswatini citizenship and a diplomatic passport, with plans for an E3bn, 300MW solar project on 120 hectares. Quantum Manufacturing & Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is set to invest over E600m at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, creating at least 200 jobs. Digital Health for Youth: MTN Enactus backed five youth-led digital health solutions with E50,000 seed funding, including apps targeting nurse unemployment and healthcare access. Healthcare Support: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, restoring its water system and adding beds. Governance & Compliance: REDI Consulting’s inaugural company secretaries convention is set to bring governance and compliance leaders together to strengthen accountability. Public Health Warning: Eswatini’s Ministry of Health cautioned against ashwagandha use for stress relief, saying benefits aren’t proven and stress suppression can be risky. HIV Prevention Access: Doctors Without Borders urged governments to use legal tools to challenge Gilead’s monopoly on lenacapavir to expand affordable access. Tech-in-the-Spotlight: A viral clip shows 4-year-old Andile Mbambo solving tough maths equations in a quiz with his dad.

LGBTI Rights in Court: Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) is back in court after the Registrar rejected its non-profit registration again, with the Minister citing customary law that “does not recognize same-sex relationships,” keeping the constitutional fight over freedom of association alive since 2019. HIV Prevention Access: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is urging governments to use legal tools to break Gilead’s monopoly on lenacapavir, pushing for lower prices and wider supply ahead of a UN HIV/Aids meeting. Digital Health Push: MTN Eswatini backed youth-led health tech, including an AI Notsa app that recorded 618 downloads during MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care roadshows, plus E50 000 seed funding for five digital health innovators. New Manufacturing Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables, targeting about 200 jobs. Security & Transport Tech: Fidelity Services unveiled a next-generation cash-in-transit vehicle aimed at stronger crew protection and fewer attacks, citing improved performance across its fleet. Public Health Warning: The Ministry of Health cautioned against rising ashwagandha use for stress relief, saying benefits aren’t proven and it may dull people’s ability to respond to danger.

Cash-in-Transit Security: Fidelity Services Group unveiled a next-generation cash-in-transit vehicle, reporting fewer successful attacks on its newly deployed trucks and highlighting how its large CIT network supports thousands of pickups across South Africa and Eswatini. Governance & Compliance: REDI Consulting’s inaugural National Convention of Company Secretaries is set to bring governance and legal experts to Pigg’s Peak Hotel, focusing on transparency, ethics, and board accountability. Public Health Access: Doctors Without Borders urged governments to use legal tools to challenge Gilead’s monopoly on lenacapavir, pushing for broader, cheaper access ahead of a UN HIV/Aids meeting. Digital Health in Eswatini: MTN Eswatini backed youth digital health innovators with E50,000 in seed funding, while its Notsa AI health app recorded 618 downloads during roadshows. Jobs & Manufacturing: Eswatini Quantum Works is investing over E600 million at Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, targeting at least 200 jobs. Connectivity: New Ookla data says Starlink is delivering faster broadband speeds than most terrestrial providers in many Sub-Saharan markets.

HIV Access Push: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is urging governments to use legal tools to break Gilead’s monopoly on lenacapavir, ahead of a UN HIV summit, to expand supply and cut prices for low- and middle-income countries. Digital Health in Eswatini: MTN Eswatini backed youth-led digital health with E50,000 in seed funding, while its Notsa AI health app surpassed 600 downloads after roadshows—showing growing demand for tech-enabled care. Local Health Infrastructure: MTN invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, including a restored water system and new beds. Jobs via Manufacturing: Eswatini Quantum Works will invest over E600 million at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, targeting at least 200 jobs. Border Tech Talk (Region): A US Africa Command official reaffirmed ties with Lesotho and discussed drone-enabled border surveillance and disaster-response command centres. Public Health Caution: Eswatini’s Ministry of Health warned against rising ashwagandha use for stress relief, saying benefits aren’t proven and effects may be risky. Tech & Connectivity: Starlink is reportedly outperforming many African broadband providers in download speeds, raising pressure on terrestrial networks. Food System Risk (Regional): South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis is linked to weak nationwide traceability, with major export losses and calls for better tracking.

HIV Access Push: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is urging governments to use legal tools to break Gilead Sciences’ monopoly on lenacapavir, ahead of the UN HIV/Aids meeting in New York, calling for wider supply and lower prices. Digital Health in Eswatini: MTN Eswatini’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care backed youth-led digital health ideas, awarding E50,000 to five teams, while the Notsa AI health app surpassed 600 downloads after roadshows. Healthcare Support: MTN invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, including a restored water system and new beds. New Manufacturing Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works will build a E600m factory at Nokwane (RSTP/SEZ) to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, targeting about 200 jobs. Public Health Warning: The Ministry of Health cautioned against rising ashwagandha use, saying stress-suppression claims aren’t proven and could be risky. Broadband Competition: Starlink is reportedly delivering faster speeds than most terrestrial providers across many Sub-Saharan markets, putting pressure on local broadband operators. Food Security Tech: South Africa’s foot-and-mouth crisis is again spotlighting the need for better disease tracking and traceability systems to control outbreaks.

Digital Health & Youth Innovation: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish a Hospice at Home palliative care unit, and also backed five youth-led digital health projects with E50,000 seed funding at the MTN Enactus Digital Health Solutions Fair. AI Health Uptake: MTN’s Notsa AI health app surpassed 600 downloads after roadshows in Manzini and Kwaluseni, showing growing interest in tech-enabled care. New Manufacturing Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd will build a E600m factory at Nokwane under the Special Economic Zone, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating at least 200 jobs. Healthcare Access & Patents: MSF urged Gilead to cut the price and expand access to lenacapavir for HIV prevention, while PATAM and TWN filed an observation challenging a broad Gilead patent application across ARIPO states including Eswatini. Broadband Competition: Starlink is reportedly delivering faster median speeds than most terrestrial providers in many Sub-Saharan markets, raising pressure on local broadband players. Public Health Caution: Eswatini’s Ministry of Health warned against the ashwagandha trend, saying stress-suppressing claims aren’t proven and could reduce people’s ability to respond to danger.

Quantum Manufacturing Boost: Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd is investing over E600 million at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to build a factory for aluminium and copper cables, targeting about 200 jobs in the first phase. Digital Health for Youth: MTN Eswatini backed five youth-led digital health projects with E50 000 seed funding under the 21 Days of Y’ello Care push, including an app to help nurses find temporary work. AI Health App Uptake: MTN’s Notsa AI health app has surpassed 600 downloads after roadshows in Manzini and Kwaluseni, showing growing interest in tech-enabled care. Healthcare Access Push: Doctors Without Borders is urging Gilead to cut the price and expand supply of lenacapavir for HIV prevention, warning that high costs could repeat past medicine access failures. HIV Patent Challenge: PATAM and TWN filed a Third-Party Observation at ARIPO challenging a Gilead patent application over HIV compounds, arguing earlier disclosures undermine novelty. Public Health Warning: Eswatini’s Ministry of Health cautioned against rising ashwagandha use for stress and anxiety, saying benefits aren’t proven and stress suppression could be risky. Border Tech Talk: A US Africa Command envoy reaffirmed US–Lesotho ties and discussed drone-enabled border surveillance and disaster response command centres. Broadband Competition: Starlink is pushing faster satellite broadband speeds across Sub-Saharan Africa, increasingly challenging local providers. Disease Tracking Lesson: South Africa’s foot-and-mouth crisis highlights the need for nationwide animal disease traceability to control outbreaks and protect exports.

Health Tech & Youth Innovation: MTN Eswatini backed five youth-led digital health projects with E50 000 seed funding at the MTN Enactus Digital Health Solutions Fair, including apps aimed at easing nurse unemployment and improving access to care. Digital Health Adoption: MTN’s Notsa AI health app passed 600 downloads after roadshows in Manzini and Kwaluseni, showing growing interest in tech-enabled healthcare guidance. Healthcare Infrastructure Support: MTN invested E160 000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, restoring a water system and adding six beds. Industrial Investment (Eswatini): Eswatini Quantum Works (Pty) Ltd will build a new E600m+ factory at Nokwane in the RSTP SEZ, producing aluminium and copper cables for export and creating about 200 jobs. HIV Prevention Access: MSF launched a campaign urging Gilead to cut the price and expand supply of lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable PrEP that could prevent HIV with near-total effectiveness. Public Health Policy: South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis is being blamed on weak nationwide disease traceability, with major export losses linked to outbreaks. AI in Education: A Southern Africa education assessment conference in Lesotho highlighted how AI is reshaping learning and testing, pushing for updated assessment approaches. Herbal Safety Warning: Eswatini’s Ministry of Health cautioned against rising ashwagandha use for stress relief, warning effects aren’t proven and could dull normal risk response.

Refugee Day & Regional Trade Links: A new analysis marks 20 June Refugee Day by arguing that displacement across Africa is tied to the continent’s tightly connected economies—what South Africa gains from the region, and what isolation could cost. Foot-and-Mouth Disease Tech Gap: South Africa’s ongoing FMD crisis is being blamed on poor nationwide disease traceability, with outbreaks spreading since 2021 and projected losses running into billions—raising pressure for better tracking systems to control outbreaks. Digital Health for Eswatini: MTN Eswatini backed youth-led digital health ideas, awarding E50,000 to five Enactus teams, while the Notsa AI health app surpassed 600 downloads after MTN roadshows. Healthcare Infrastructure Boost: MTN invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, improving beds and restoring the water system. Border Tech Mentioned in US-Lesotho Talks: A US envoy said drone technology could strengthen Lesotho border surveillance, alongside plans for disaster-response coordination. Local Industry & Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works is set to build a E600m factory at Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables, targeting about 200 jobs. HIV Prevention Patent Fight: MSF is pushing Gilead to make lenacapavir affordable and widely available, while patent challenges in ARIPO-linked states question broad HIV medicine claims. AI in Education: A Southern Africa conference in Lesotho focused on how AI should reshape educational assessment, inclusion, and innovation.

Education & Value for Money: Eswatini’s Botho University visit by Minister Maele focused on lab and innovation capacity, with the government pushing to check whether it gets value for sponsored students (over 2,500 at Botho). Digital Health Momentum: MTN Eswatini backed youth-led digital health with E50,000 for five Enactus teams, while its Notsa AI health app hit 618 downloads from Manzini and Kwaluseni roadshows. Healthcare Infrastructure Support: MTN also invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, including a restored water system and new beds. New Industry Investment: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan-linked) is set to build a E600m+ cable factory at Nokwane under the SEZ, targeting about 200 jobs. Public Health Warning: The Ministry of Health cautioned against the ashwagandha trend, saying stress-suppressing claims aren’t proven and could be risky. Regional Tech & Connectivity: Starlink is reported to be outperforming most terrestrial broadband providers across many Sub-Saharan markets, raising pressure on local internet players. Disease Control Systems: South Africa’s foot-and-mouth crisis highlights the need for mandatory nationwide disease tracking to manage outbreaks.

Digital Health in Eswatini: MTN Eswatini handed over a refurbished Hospice at Home palliative care unit after investing E160,000, including a restored water system and six new beds, as part of the 21 Days of Y’ello Care push. Youth Innovation: MTN Enactus awarded E50,000 to five youth-led digital health teams, including Shift Flow, which aims to create temporary work opportunities for unemployed nurses via an app. AI for Healthcare Uptake: MTN’s Notsa AI health app surpassed 600 downloads after roadshows in Manzini and Kwaluseni, showing growing interest in tech-enabled guidance. Local Industry & Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is set to invest about E640 million at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane to produce aluminium and copper cables for export, targeting at least 200 jobs. Health Policy & Safety: The Ministry of Health cautioned the public against rising ashwagandha use for stress and anxiety, warning effects aren’t proven and could dull normal stress responses. Regional Tech & Connectivity: Starlink is reportedly outpacing most terrestrial broadband providers across many Sub-Saharan markets, signaling stronger competition for local internet players.

AI in Browsers: Google is rolling out Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with Eswatini included—bringing built-in AI help for searching and understanding information. Digital Health in Eswatini: MTN Eswatini’s Notsa Health App has passed 600 downloads after roadshows, while MTN also backed youth digital health innovators with E50,000 in seed funding. Healthcare Support: MTN invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, improving beds and restoring the water system. New Industry in Nokwane: Eswatini Quantum Works is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park, aiming to produce aluminium and copper cables and create about 200 jobs. HIV Prevention Access: MSF is urging Gilead to cut the price and expand access to lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable PrEP option. Broadband Competition: Starlink is reportedly delivering faster speeds than most terrestrial providers across many Sub-Saharan markets. Public Health Policy: Eswatini is among countries supporting cervical cancer elimination efforts focused on HPV vaccination, screening access and stronger health system accountability.

Digital Health & Community Care: MTN Eswatini invested E160,000 to refurbish Hospice at Home’s palliative care unit, restoring its water system and adding six beds, with staff and partners helping on-site. Youth Innovation in Health Tech: MTN also backed five youth-led digital health teams with E50,000 total seed funding at the MTN Enactus Digital Health Solutions Fair, including apps aimed at nurse employment and patient guidance. AI Health Adoption: The Notsa AI health app passed 600 downloads after MTN’s roadshows, showing growing interest in tech-enabled healthcare. Local Manufacturing Jobs: Eswatini Quantum Works (Turkmenistan) is set to build a E600m+ factory at the Royal Science and Technology Park in Nokwane, targeting 200 jobs producing aluminium and copper cables for export. Public Health Caution: The Ministry of Health warned against rising use of ashwagandha for stress and anxiety, saying benefits aren’t proven and stress suppression could be risky. HIV Prevention Access: MSF urged Gilead to lower the price and expand supply of lenacapavir for HIV prevention, arguing access gaps could repeat past medicine inequities. Tech Expansion Across Africa: Google is rolling Ask Gemini in Chrome into more African markets, including Eswatini, Kenya, and Nigeria.