AGP Executive Report

Roads & Trade Logistics: South Sudan’s Ministerial High-Level Committee has referred the Juba–Nimule Highway rehabilitation to the Roads and Bridges Ministry for supervision, aiming to keep trucks moving smoothly and protect revenue collection. Flood Risk & Water Management: Juba says Uganda warned of rising Lake Victoria levels that could trigger severe riverine flooding, with low-lying areas including Juba and several states flagged. Energy & Dams: Egypt says it has agreed to South Sudan’s Fula dam after reviewing studies, while Juba insists it is ready to proceed—keeping Nile-basin water politics in focus. Agribusiness & Jobs: Yei officials urged youth to be job creators, not job seekers, as the county pushes reopening payams and rebuilding after conflict. Cocoa Supply Chain: Central Equatoria plans to distribute 250,000 cocoa seedlings to farmers and cooperatives, with a women-focused empowerment push. Electricity Sector Governance: South Sudan’s electricity regulations and power-generation rules are moving to attract investors, including new oversight and compliance steps. Animal Health: Taiwan-linked authorities warned against pork imports after South Sudan’s first confirmed African Swine Fever case, tightening border quarantine. Regional Industry Spotlight: Equity’s Uganda trade mission highlighted value addition in coffee and manufacturing, including financing talks tied to farmer inputs and new markets like South Sudan. Oil & Security Spillover: Sudan’s army is accused of attacking the pipeline carrying South Sudanese oil, raising risks for a revenue-dependent sector. Fashion & Manufacturing Diplomacy: BRICS+ Fashion Summit returns to Moscow (28–30 Sept), with South Sudan Fashion Week leadership among African stakeholders.

Hospital Jobs & Skills: China State Construction Engineering Corporation is hiring nearly 500 South Sudanese workers for Juba Teaching Hospital’s Phase II expansion, boosting household incomes and technical skills. Cocoa for Rural Incomes: Central Equatoria plans to distribute 250,000 cocoa seedlings to cooperatives and farmers, with a pilot scaling toward 5 million seedlings and a women-focused recovery programme for 1,650 entrepreneurs. Power & Dams Push: Egypt says it has agreed to South Sudan’s Fula dam after reviewing studies, while Juba reiterates it will proceed with hydropower development on the Nile; separately, the Fula site is assessed at 1,080 MW and timelines/funding are still unclear. Election Readiness Gap: An opinion piece warns South Sudan’s 22 Dec 2026 election date is outpacing key foundations like electoral laws, voter registration, security reform, and published procedures. Humanitarian Access Pressure: UN reports 77 humanitarian access incidents in August, with violence against aid workers and assets making up the biggest share. Agriculture Shock: WFP flags “Super El Niño” deepening hunger in South Sudan, as funding gaps threaten preparedness and response. Animal Health Risk: Taiwan-linked authorities warn against pork imports after South Sudan’s first confirmed African Swine Fever case in Yambio.

Oil & Security: The Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis) accuses Sudan’s army and allied militias of attacking the pipeline carrying South Sudanese oil through Sudan since Sept. 11, north of Al Hamadi in South Kordofan, saying drones and militias caused explosions and fires and that seven of its forces were killed. UN & Maritime: With a “trust deficit” flagged ahead of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22, maritime conflict is set as an urgent priority. Humanitarian Access: South Sudan recorded 77 humanitarian access incidents in August, with violence against aid workers and assets making up 42 cases. Power & Investment: South Sudan signed electricity generation regulations to attract private investors, while Juba also reiterated plans to advance the Grand Fula hydropower project (1,080 MW) near Nimule. Agriculture & Climate: El Niño preparedness is still waiting on funding as rains approach, and South Sudan’s hunger crisis is deepening. Energy Sector Risk: Taiwan’s animal health authorities warned against pork imports after South Sudan’s first confirmed African Swine Fever case. Infrastructure Land Take: Kenya’s National Lands Commission plans to acquire over 2,600 acres in Lamu for the LAPSSET corridor road project.

Hydropower & Energy: South Sudan says it will push ahead with the Grand Fula dam on the White Nile near Nimule, citing a 1,080 MW potential and Nile Basin approvals, while also defending the project’s sovereignty amid Egypt’s opposition. Electricity Regulation: The Ministry of Energy and Dams signed a new regulation to govern electricity generation, aiming to clear barriers and attract investment as transmission and distribution rules are still being reviewed. Agriculture & Investment: South Sudan and Russia move to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, capacity building, and investment, with plans to shift from rain-fed farming to irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing. Food Security: WFP warns “super El Niño” is already hitting South Sudan hard, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and a risk of more losing aid access by October. Livestock Biosecurity: South Sudan’s first confirmed African Swine Fever case triggers tighter quarantine and a public warning against pork imports. Trade & Logistics: East Africa’s trade rose 37% to $52.3bn in Q2 2026, led by mineral exports, while shippers warn fuel costs, border delays, and corridor unpredictability are raising logistics costs. Regional Connectivity: UNDP highlights how landlocked countries can turn geography into “land-linked” trade corridors by using multimodal transport and better financing. Infrastructure & Power Links: South Sudan also links dam development to future regional power transmission through a planned 400 kV interconnection with Uganda.

Animal Health & Trade: South Sudan’s first African Swine Fever (ASF) case was confirmed in Yambio, prompting Taiwan-linked authorities to list the country as high-risk and tighten quarantine rules, with warnings against importing pork products. Food Security & Climate Risk: The World Food Programme warns “Super El Niño” is already deepening hunger in South Sudan, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and funding gaps threatening assistance by October. Agriculture & Resilience: Kenya is pushing drought resilience and El Niño preparedness through water harvesting and irrigation support for Turkana and Marsabit, aiming to protect farming output and livelihoods. Energy & Infrastructure: South Sudan says it will not fear building Nile dams, citing Nile Basin rights and approved projects, even as Egypt reiterates opposition. Logistics & Trade Costs: East African shippers warn that high and unpredictable logistics costs—fuel, border delays, and corridor fragmentation—are squeezing trade competitiveness. Migration & Safety: A South Sudanese teen jailed in the UK for piloting an overcrowded “mega-dinghy” carrying 165 migrants highlights ongoing risks in irregular crossings. Public Health: WHO says DRC’s Ebola outbreak is still growing overall, despite slowing in some areas, as cases and deaths continue to rise.

Dams & Hydropower: South Sudan’s Energy and Dams Minister Agok Makur says the country will press ahead with Nile dam plans, calling them sovereign and backed by Nile Basin Council approvals, even as Egypt reiterates opposition. Climate & Food Security: WFP warns “super El Niño” is already hitting South Sudan hard—7.8 million people face acute hunger, with drought damaging even fertile areas and funding gaps threatening a further million by October. Humanitarian Access: UNMISS says it deferred closing a Unity State base after attacks in Abiemnhom drove families to seek protection, as communities rebuild homes and crops. Energy Reliability: A regional energy analysis highlights Africa’s shift from just “access” to reliable, affordable power—an issue for businesses and productivity. Trade & Logistics Costs: East African shippers warn fuel prices, border delays, and fragmented corridors are making cargo movement too costly and unpredictable, threatening competitiveness. Regional Trade Growth: EAC trade rose 37% to $52.3bn in Q2 2026, with mineral exports driving a swing to a surplus. Connectivity & Broadband: MTN South Sudan’s network expansion lifted broadband coverage to 85% of the population in two years. Agriculture Support: Government and FAO-backed livestock and drought-resilience efforts are expanding, including drought preparedness and irrigation-linked water harvesting. Security & Borders: A South Sudanese teen, Chan Atak, was jailed in the UK for piloting an overcrowded “mega-dinghy” carrying 165 migrants across the Channel.

Trade & Logistics: East Africa shippers warn that fuel costs, border delays and fragmented corridors are making cargo movement too expensive and unpredictable, threatening competitiveness. Regional Trade Data: The EAC says intra-bloc trade jumped 37% to $52.3bn in Q2 2026, with mineral exports driving the turnaround and a swing to a $300m surplus. Shipping Modernization: Kenya’s Port of Mombasa welcomed the zero-emission-ready MV Grande Shanghai, highlighting greener Ro-Ro logistics for East Africa supply chains. Power Reliability: A new look at Africa’s electricity challenge says the real gap is not just access, but reliable, affordable power for households and businesses. Food Security & Agriculture: WFP warns “super El Niño” is deepening hunger in South Sudan, with 7.8m people facing acute food insecurity as drought hits crops and aid funding tightens. Climate Resilience Projects: Kenya signed major drought resilience and irrigation funding for Turkana and Marsabit to boost water harvesting and farming capacity. Mining & Safety: Reports from Sudan highlight deadly gold mine collapses and calls to halt unregulated mining; the wider risk to livelihoods and regional stability remains high. Cross-Border Tensions: Uganda-South Sudan land and grazing disputes continue to disrupt farming and livestock movement, with locals describing real-life impacts on safety and property. Connectivity & Telecom: MTN South Sudan expands broadband coverage to 85% after modernizing hundreds of network sites. Humanitarian Protection: UNMISS says it deferred closing a base in Unity State after threats to community safety, citing ongoing vulnerability and violence risks. Migration Reality Check: A South Sudanese teen jailed in the UK for piloting an overcrowded “mega-dinghy” underscores the dangers facing migrants and the legal consequences.

Food Security Crisis: WFP warns “super El Niño” is deepening acute hunger in South Sudan, with 7.8 million people facing high food insecurity and another million at risk of losing life-saving assistance by October as drought hits crops and Sudan’s war drives more refugees. Climate & Agriculture: El Niño’s global weather disruptions are already translating into local farm losses and higher food prices across the region, raising pressure on vulnerable households. Humanitarian Access: WFP links the worsening situation to violence, displacement, economic hardship, and shrinking aid resources, especially for children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers needing urgent nutrition support. Mining & Safety: In Sudan, a gold mine collapse in West Kordofan killed at least 60–82 miners, with calls to halt unregulated mining and improve rescue and worker protection. Connectivity & Industry: MTN South Sudan expands broadband coverage to 85% of the population after upgrading 500+ network sites, boosting conditions for services and commerce. Oil Waste Oversight: A Unity State MP issues a 30-day ultimatum to GPOC to fence and mark oil waste sites and set up community safety and early-warning reporting. Logistics Investment: Southern Shipping in Kenya begins building a 10,000-pallet multi-temperature warehouse at Miritini, strengthening cold-chain and food/industrial storage for regional trade including South Sudan.

Food Security Watch: The World Food Programme says “Super El Niño” is deepening South Sudan’s hunger crisis, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and another million at risk of losing life-saving aid by October as drought hits crops and conflict drives displacement. Telecom & Connectivity: MTN South Sudan says it has modernised 500+ network sites, lifting broadband coverage from 76.6% to 85% of the population and raising network availability to 99% in two years. Livestock & Agriculture: Government and FAO launched a Resilient Livestock Sector Project in Terekeka to modernise livestock management, cut animal and zoonotic disease risks, and improve productivity for community incomes. Local Services: Leer County in Unity State received newly built health and education facilities under the World Bank’s ECRP, including hospital wards and an isolation unit plus classrooms for Mary John Primary School. Mining Governance: Vice President James Wani Igga ordered the Ministry of Mining to enforce mining laws, while a Unity State lawmaker issued a 30-day ultimatum to GPOC to fence and mark oil waste sites and set up community safety and early warning systems. Trade & Logistics: Kenya’s Southern Shipping Services started building a 10,000-pallet multi-temperature warehouse at Miritini in Mombasa to support cold-chain and regional cargo flows, including for South Sudan-bound trade.

EAC Trade Surge: The East African Community swung back to surplus as total trade hit $52.3bn (Shs203.97tn) in Q2 2026, up 37%, driven by faster-growing mineral and agricultural exports—good news for regional supply chains. South Sudan Hunger Alarm: WFP says El Niño is deepening South Sudan’s food crisis: 7.8 million people face acute hunger, with 2.2 million children and 1.2 million pregnant/breastfeeding women needing urgent nutrition support, and aid could be cut without more funding. Mining Safety Under Fire: Sudan’s gold sector keeps turning deadly—Al-Zara mine collapse in West Kordofan killed at least 67 (death toll feared to rise), with calls to halt unregulated mining and improve rescue and worker protection. Oil Waste Accountability: Unity State MP Malek Cook-Dwach issued a 30-day ultimatum to GPOC to fence and mark oil waste ponds and hazardous sites and set up community safety and early-warning reporting. Connectivity Boost: MTN South Sudan expanded and modernised over 500 network sites, lifting broadband coverage to 85% of the population and network availability to 99%. Logistics & Storage: Kenya’s Southern Shipping started building a 10,000-pallet multi-temperature warehouse at Miritini near Mombasa Port, targeting cold chain and regional trade. Livestock Project: Government and FAO launched a five-year Resilient Livestock Sector Project in Terekeka to improve livestock management, reduce disease, and strengthen local livelihoods.

Ebola Watch: WHO says Ebola transmission is declining in DRC’s Ituri and South Kivu has reported no new cases since May, but the epidemic is still growing and killing across seven provinces, with thousands of cases and deaths and treatment and vaccine trials accelerating. Mining Safety & Jobs: Sudan’s Al-Zara gold mine collapse in West Kordofan has killed at least 60–82 miners, with many more feared trapped; survivors say rescue is difficult without heavy machinery, highlighting the risks of unregulated artisanal mining. Oil Waste Accountability: In Juba, Unity State MP Malek Cook-Dwach has issued a 30-day ultimatum to GPOC to fence and mark oil waste ponds and hazardous sites and set up community safety and early-warning reporting. Connectivity for Business: MTN South Sudan says broadband coverage rose from 76.6% to 85% in two years after upgrading 500+ network sites, boosting network availability to 99%. Food Security Crisis: WFP warns “super El Niño” is deepening hunger in South Sudan: 7.8 million people face acute food insecurity, with drought hitting fertile areas and funding shortages threatening more people by October. Livestock for Resilience: Government and FAO launched a five-year Resilient Livestock Sector Project in Terekeka to modernize livestock management, cut animal and zoonotic diseases, and shift communities toward more commercial production. Local Services Upgrade: Leer County in Unity State received new health and education facilities under the World Bank ECRP, including hospital wards and an isolation unit plus classrooms for Mary John Primary School. Digital & Trade Logistics: Kenya’s KRA is opening the Regional Electronic Cargo Monitoring System (RECTS) to private vendors to reduce transit delays along the Northern Corridor—important for regional trade that includes South Sudan.

Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns South Sudan’s hunger is worsening fast, with 7.8 million people facing acute food insecurity and a risk that another 1 million could lose life-saving food support by October as “super El Niño” drought hits farms and aid funding runs low. Health Preparedness: South Sudan formed a national Ebola task force to strengthen border surveillance and early warning amid threats from outbreaks in Uganda and DR Congo. Local Services in Unity: Leer County received newly handed-over health and education facilities funded by the World Bank’s ECRP, including hospital wards and classrooms. Food Security Skills: A Juba-based Egyptian vocational academy is setting up an agricultural research center and seed bank to boost climate-resilient farming and reduce reliance on food imports. Logistics & Trade: Kenya’s KRA is moving transit cargo monitoring to a multi-vendor electronic seal system, aiming to cut delays and theft along the Northern Corridor that links to South Sudan. Connectivity: MTN South Sudan expanded broadband coverage to 85% after modernizing 500+ sites and adding hybrid solar power to cut diesel use. Regional Energy Talks: Ethiopia and Kenya are finalizing plans to scale cross-border electricity trade by December 2026, supporting more power for the region. Mining Safety Warning: A gold mine collapse in Sudan killed at least 60 small-scale miners, highlighting the dangers of artisanal mining that also draws people from the region.

Banking & Legal: South Sudan’s central bank has asked the D.C. Circuit to review a ruling enforcing a $1B+ arbitral award tied to a defaulted $700m Qatar National Bank loan. Food Security & Agriculture: WFP warns “super El Niño” is deepening South Sudan’s hunger crisis: 7.8m people face high acute food insecurity, with drought hitting even fertile areas; without new funding, another 1m could lose food and nutrition support by October. Humanitarian Logistics: Aid groups warn of a “triple chokepoint” disrupting food supply routes after Houthi gains on the Red Sea, on top of Black Sea and Hormuz pressures. Public Health: South Sudan formed a national Ebola task force to strengthen border preparedness as cases threaten from DRC and Uganda. Telecom & Energy Access: MTN South Sudan boosted broadband coverage to 85% after modernizing 500+ sites and cutting diesel use by 50% via hybrid solar-battery systems. Trade & Transport: Kenya Revenue Authority contracted 15 firms for electronic monitoring and seals to track transit cargo from Mombasa, aiming to curb diversion and theft—relevant to South Sudan’s import routes. Security & Industry Risk: SPLM-IO alleges an assassination plot against suspended VP Riek Machar, raising uncertainty for governance and business continuity. Regional Power: Ethiopia is preparing to double electricity exports to Kenya to 400MW by December 2026, supporting cross-border energy reliability.

Humanitarian Funding Crunch: WFP warns South Sudan’s food pipeline could run out by end-September, risking a stop of assistance from October for about 650,000 refugees and 200,000 internally displaced people unless new money is secured. Disaster Preparedness: The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs convened South Sudan’s first National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Juba, aiming to shift from reacting to droughts and floods to acting early with a 2026–2029 roadmap. Ebola Watch: UN and WHO officials say eastern DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak may be slowing, but it’s too early to declare the peak over, with transmission still rising in some areas. Climate & Livelihoods: Reports from the region highlight how climate shocks are fueling violence and blame against “rainmakers,” while South Sudanese displaced people at Renk Transit Centre fear food will run out as support declines. Energy & Trade Links: Kenya and Dangote discuss a Lamu–Turkana crude pipeline as refinery plans move forward, while a separate report notes Uganda’s new Pearl Sweet crude grade is set to be priced against Dated Brent as exports near. Mining Safety: A South Sudanese refugee student in Uganda died after soil collapsed at a gold mining site in Yumbe, underscoring risks in informal mining. Women’s Support: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West to provide training, business support, and gender-based violence prevention.

Anticipatory Action & Disaster Preparedness: South Sudan’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs convened the first National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action in Juba (14–16 Sept), aiming to shift from reacting to disasters to acting early on predictable risks like droughts and floods, with partners set to agree priorities, investments, financing, and a Juba Joint Communiqué for 2026–2029. Food Security & Humanitarian Support: IsraAid South Sudan delivered food to over 900 households in Terekeka, targeting displaced families and vulnerable host communities as poor rainfall and extreme weather hit farming and raise hunger fears. Mining Safety & Youth Livelihoods: A South Sudanese refugee student died after soil collapsed at a gold mining site in Uganda’s Yumbe District, highlighting how many students mine to pay school fees. Forestry & Community Stewardship: New reporting warns South Sudan’s forests are shrinking fast, driven by charcoal, fuelwood, farming expansion, livestock, and construction—urging community-led action. Wildlife & Land-Use Planning: South Sudan’s wildlife ministry says communities near protected areas will help define conservation-zone boundaries, with a national policy and procedures to guide demarcation and protect land rights. Regional Security & Trade Disruption: SPLM-IO called for international protection of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar, citing an alleged assassination plot, as insecurity continues to threaten stability and business.

Forestry & Livelihoods: South Sudan’s forests and woodlands (about 30% of land area) are shrinking fast, driven by charcoal, fuelwood, farming expansion, livestock pressure and construction—putting ecosystems and household energy security at risk. Water & Climate Risk: Somalia warns nearly 7,000 riverbank wells could be damaged or silted by Deyr floods, threatening water access and calling for preparedness for both flooding and possible drought. Food Security Support: IsraAid South Sudan delivered food to 900+ households in Terekeka amid poor rainfall and heat damage, targeting displaced families and host communities for about a month. Wildlife Governance: South Sudan’s wildlife ministry says communities will help define protected-area boundaries, aiming for a national demarcation policy and clearer land-use rules after lost records from past demarcations. Security & Trade: In Greater Pibor, attacks near a mining site and an ambush on a truck carrying Ethiopian traders and local soldiers left five dead and six injured, raising fears that resource competition is worsening insecurity. Energy & Oil Markets: Uganda plans to price its Pearl Sweet crude against Platts Dated Brent from late 2026, with quality that could affect regional crude comparisons including South Sudan’s blends. Women & Business: A new women’s centre opened in Aweil West to train women, support small businesses, and run gender-based violence prevention programs.