AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat in the Sahel: New Copernicus data shows nearly 900 million people worldwide endured the hottest July on record, with about 400 million affected across Africa’s Sahel and Sahara; Mauritania and nine other Sahel countries recorded their warmest July ever, and in parts of Chad and Sudan temperatures ran more than 2°C above normal, piling pressure on already drought-stressed communities. Hunger Warning as El Niño Intensifies: The UN World Food Programme says strengthening El Niño could push at least 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, raising the total from 225 million to 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries; WFP is already triggering early action in places including Mauritania to prepare for floods, droughts, and storms. Local Jobs to Cut Risky Migration: In Nouakchott, a Canary Islands-backed “Cluster” initiative trained Mauritanian women in textiles and entrepreneurship, culminating in a fashion show at the Spanish Embassy; organizers say the goal is more jobs and fewer people forced onto dangerous Atlantic migration routes. Regional Security Meets Climate Stress: Nigeria’s diplomats met Sahel and Lake Chad counterparts in Borno to push deeper cross-border cooperation, citing terrorism, environmental degradation, and climate change as shared drivers of instability.

Extreme Heat in the Sahel: AFP analysis of Copernicus data says July 2026 was the hottest on record for about 900 million people worldwide, with nearly 400 million affected in Africa—ten Sahel countries, including Mauritania, broke their July temperature records. El Niño and Hunger Risk: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, with severe impacts expected across Central America and southern Africa, and early action already underway in places including Mauritania. Sahel Security and Climate Stress: Nigeria’s diplomats met Sahel and Lake Chad counterparts in Borno to strengthen cross-border security and trade cooperation, citing terrorism, irregular migration, climate change and environmental degradation as shared drivers. Jobs to Cut Migration Pressure: In Nouakchott, a Canary Islands-backed textile “Cluster” phase trained Mauritanian women and featured a fashion show at the Spanish Embassy, aiming to boost entrepreneurship and reduce dangerous Atlantic migration routes. Mauritania in the AfCFTA Awareness Gap: Afrobarometer finds only 4% of Mauritanians have heard of the AfCFTA, even as support for easier trade rises across Africa. Fisheries Sovereignty: Gabon ended its EU fisheries partnership after 19 years, arguing the deal no longer matched national economic interests—an example of shifting control over marine resources.

El Niño & Food Security: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, raising the total from 225 million to 274 million, with Central America and southern Africa among the hardest hit and early action already underway in countries including Mauritania. Record Heat Across the Sahel: AFP analysis of Copernicus data says July 2026 saw record temperatures affecting about 900 million people worldwide, with nearly 400 million in Africa—ten Sahel countries, including Mauritania, breaking their hottest-July records. Mauritania-Canary Islands Jobs & Textiles: In Nouakchott, a Spanish Embassy fashion show highlighted a Canary Islands “Cluster” initiative training Mauritanian women in creativity, entrepreneurship and textile skills to help create jobs and reduce dangerous Atlantic migration. Hidden Emissions in Mauritania: A satellite-based study finds oil and gas emissions may be underestimated in official records, and points to major industrial gaps including a very large iron mine in Mauritania that appears to be missing from reported emissions. Regional Security & Climate Pressure: Nigeria’s diplomats met in Borno with Sahel and Lake Chad representatives to push deeper cross-border security and development cooperation, citing terrorism, environmental degradation and climate change as shared drivers of instability.

El Niño and hunger risk: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push about 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, raising the total from 225 million to 274 million, with southern Africa and parts of East Africa among the hardest hit; WFP says it is already ramping up preparedness in countries including Mauritania. Record July heat across the Sahel: AFP analysis of Copernicus data says 33 countries saw their hottest July on record, affecting around 900 million people worldwide; in the Sahel, ten countries including Mauritania recorded monthly temperature records, underscoring how climate change is intensifying extreme heat. Mauritania’s climate-linked emissions gap: A satellite-based study finds carbon dioxide from some northern Africa industrial sources is higher than official records suggest, pointing to major undercounting around heavy industry such as a large iron mine in Mauritania. Blue economy push: A Gulf of Guinea workshop calls for countries, including Mauritania, to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding and strengthen ocean protection. Local resilience and jobs: In Nouakchott, Mauritanian women trained through a Canary Islands “Cluster” textile initiative showcased designs at the Spanish Embassy, aiming to create jobs and reduce dangerous Atlantic migration. Sahel security cooperation: Nigeria’s diplomats met Sahel and Lake Chad counterparts in Borno to deepen cross-border security and development cooperation amid terrorism, climate stress, and environmental degradation. Mauritania economy update: Mauritania’s central bank reports 4% real GDP growth in 2025, helped by natural gas exports from GTA and improved macro stability.

Record Heat in the Sahel: AFP analysis of Copernicus data says around 900 million people worldwide endured their hottest July on record in 2026, with nearly 400 million affected across Africa—especially the Sahel. Ten Sahel countries, including Mauritania, broke July temperature records, with heat anomalies reported at more than 2°C above average in places like Chad and Sudan. Wildfire and Drought Pressure in Europe: The same heat wave drove record drought and major wildfires in France and Spain, forcing evacuations and scorching tens of thousands of hectares. El Niño Hunger Warning: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push about 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, with early action already triggered in countries including Mauritania. Sahel Security Talks: Nigeria hosted a high-level retreat in Borno with Sahel and Lake Chad diplomats, linking insecurity, cross-border crime, climate change, and environmental degradation to the need for deeper regional cooperation. Local Jobs to Cut Migration Risk: In Nouakchott, Mauritanian women trained through a Canary Islands “Cluster” textile initiative showcased designs at the Spanish Embassy, aiming to create jobs and reduce dangerous Atlantic migration. Mauritania’s Growth Signal: Mauritania’s central bank reports 4% real GDP growth in 2025, helped by export diversification including early natural gas shipments from GTA. Marine Conservation Data Push: A regional workshop in Accra urged Gulf of Guinea countries—including Mauritania—to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding.

Sahel & Lake Chad Security: Nigeria’s diplomats met in Borno to push deeper cross-border cooperation to curb insurgency, banditry, irregular migration and climate-linked environmental stress. Textile Jobs & Migration Risk: In Nouakchott, 10 Mauritanian brands showcased training results from a Canary Islands-backed “Cluster” project aimed at boosting women’s textile skills and reducing dangerous Atlantic migration. El Niño Hunger Alert: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could add about 49 million people to acute hunger by end-2027, with southern Africa and eastern Africa among the hardest hit; WFP is already scaling preparedness in countries including Mauritania. Mauritania Climate Data Gap: Satellite checks found major undercounting of emissions from industrial sources, including a very large iron mine in Mauritania—raising concerns that climate goals may be harder to meet than expected. Blue Economy Data Push: A Gulf of Guinea workshop urged Mauritania and neighbors to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding and protect livelihoods. Mauritania Economy Watch: Mauritania’s central bank reports 4% real GDP growth in 2025, helped by export diversification including early natural gas shipments from GTA.

Climate Shock & Food Security: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, with droughts, floods and extreme heat hitting hardest across southern Africa and other vulnerable regions; WFP is already ramping up anticipatory action in countries including Mauritania. Mauritania Environment & Data: A new satellite-based study flags major gaps in reported emissions from oil and gas and points to industrial sources that may be undercounted, including a large iron mine in Mauritania—raising questions about how far climate goals may be missed. Water Quality Tech: Morocco is testing an AI system using aquatic drones, sensors and satellite imagery to detect toxic algal blooms early in reservoirs, aiming to protect freshwater where water scarcity is already structural. Local Climate Resilience: Mauritania is also in the spotlight for Sahara pasture research—training on growing forage for livestock to reduce dry-season feed shortages. Regional Ocean Protection: Gulf of Guinea countries, including Mauritania, are urged to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock funding for marine conservation and the blue economy.

El Niño Hunger Alert: The UN World Food Programme warns that intensifying El Niño could push about 49 million more people into acute hunger by end of 2027, raising the total from 225 million to 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries. Early Action in Mauritania: WFP says it has already triggered anticipatory plans in eight countries including Mauritania, aiming to prepare for floods, droughts and storms before they hit. Carbon Accounting Gap in Mauritania: A satellite-based study finds major emissions from an iron mine in Mauritania may be missing from official records, suggesting some countries could be further from climate goals than expected. Sahel Security Talks: Nigeria is calling for stronger political, economic and security engagement with Sahel and Lake Chad states, with Nouakchott named as a key regional link in the push for sustainable development. Blue Economy Data Push: A Gulf of Guinea workshop urges countries, including Mauritania, to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding.

Desert Restoration: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification, targeting 8.7 million hectares across nine regions with 3 tons of native, drought-resistant tree seeds—aimed at restoring ecosystems, rehabilitating grazing lands, stabilizing dunes, boosting soil fertility, and supporting biodiversity. Food Security Watch: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push about 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, raising the total acutely food-insecure from 225 million to 274 million, with early action already triggered in countries including Mauritania. Climate Data Gap: Satellite checks suggest some industrial emissions in northern Africa and the Middle East— including a large iron mine in Mauritania—may be undercounted in official records, potentially putting climate goals further out of reach than expected. Regional Environment & Oceans: A Gulf of Guinea push calls for countries, including Mauritania, to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding and strengthen ocean protection. Energy & Trade: Mauritania’s uranium project progress is highlighted as ASX juniors advance African assets, including Aura Energy’s Tiris work in Mauritania.

Desert Restoration in Mauritania: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification, targeting 8.7 million hectares across nine regions with three tons of native, drought-resistant tree seeds dropped by aircraft to help rebuild ecosystems, stabilize dunes, and restore grazing lands. Climate Shock and Food Security: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could worsen hunger across 45 vulnerable countries, with acutely food-insecure people rising from 225 million to 274 million by end-2027; WFP says it has already triggered anticipatory plans in eight countries including Mauritania to prepare for floods, droughts, and storms. Hidden Emissions from Mining: Satellite-based research suggests some northern Africa and Middle East industrial emissions are undercounted in official records, flagging a large iron mine in Mauritania as a major “off-the-books” source that could mean countries are further from climate goals than expected. Water Pollution Monitoring: Morocco is testing an AI system using aquatic drones, sensors, spectrometry, and satellite imagery to detect toxic algal blooms early in reservoirs—an approach relevant to water-stressed Sahel and North Africa.

Desertification Fight in Mauritania: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to tackle desertification affecting over 84% of its land, aiming to seed 8.7 million hectares across nine regions using 3 tons of native, drought-resistant tree seeds—meant to restore ecosystems, rehabilitate grazing lands, stabilize dunes, and boost soil fertility. Climate Shock and Food Security: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, with southern Africa and parts of East Africa especially exposed as drought, floods, and extreme temperatures disrupt rain-fed farming; WFP says it is already scaling up anticipatory action in countries including Mauritania. Hidden Emissions in North Africa: A satellite-based study finds oil and gas emissions in northern Africa and the Middle East may be undercounted in official records, with gaps linked to industrial activity—highlighting that some climate impacts may be worse than governments expect. Marine Conservation Data Push: A Gulf of Guinea workshop urged countries, including Mauritania, to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding and strengthen cross-border ocean protection. Local Economy Context: Mauritania’s central bank reports 4% real GDP growth in 2025, citing improved stability and rising exports tied to natural gas shipments.

El Niño and hunger risk: The UN World Food Programme warns that intensifying El Niño could push about 49 million more people into acute hunger by the end of 2027, raising the total facing severe food insecurity from 225 million to 274 million across 45 vulnerable countries. Early action in the region: WFP says it is ramping up preparedness in eight countries, including Mauritania, with anticipatory plans to tackle expected floods, droughts and storms before they hit. Mauritania fights desertification: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to restore degraded land and curb desertification affecting over 84% of its territory, targeting 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions. Climate data gap for emissions: A satellite-based study finds oil, gas and some mining sources in northern Africa and the Middle East emit more carbon dioxide than official records suggest, with a reported gap linked to a large iron mine in Mauritania. Trade awareness, not just policy: An Afrobarometer survey finds only 4% of Mauritanians have heard of AfCFTA, even as support for easier free trade rises.

El Niño & Food Security: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger by end-2027, with 225–274 million acutely food-insecure people across 45 vulnerable countries; WFP is already scaling early action in places including Mauritania to prepare for floods, droughts and extreme heat. Desertification Response (Mauritania): Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification hitting over 84% of its land, aiming to spread 3 tons of native, drought-resistant tree seeds across 8.7 million hectares in nine regions to restore ecosystems and grazing lands. Climate Accountability via Satellites: A satellite study finds oil and gas emissions in North Africa and the Middle East may be undercounted in official records, with Mauritania’s large iron mine and Egypt’s gold mine flagged as major “off-the-books” sources. Water & Biodiversity (Gulf of Guinea): Fisheries and marine stakeholders are urged to share credible fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding, as West African countries implement the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme. Digital Public Services: UNDP is moving blockchain from pilots to wider deployment as part of digital public infrastructure, focusing on governance, interoperability and trust. AfCFTA Awareness Gap: Afrobarometer finds only 13% of Africans have heard of AfCFTA, even as support for easier free trade rises to 62%—Mauritania is among the lowest-awareness countries.

El Niño and hunger risk: The UN World Food Programme warns that a strengthening El Niño could push nearly 49 million more people into acute hunger, with acutely food-insecure numbers projected to rise from about 225 million to 274 million by end-2027; WFP says it has already triggered anticipatory action plans in countries including Mauritania, aiming to prepare for floods, droughts and extreme heat before harvests are hit. Desertification fight in Mauritania: Mauritania has launched a four-day nationwide aerial seeding campaign to restore degraded land, targeting 8.7 million hectares across nine regions with 3 tons of native drought-resistant tree seeds to stabilize dunes, rehabilitate grazing areas and boost biodiversity. Carbon emissions “off the books”: Satellite checks suggest some oil and gas sites in northern Africa and the Middle East emit more CO2 than official records show, with a reported gap tied to a very large iron mine in Mauritania—a reminder that climate reporting may miss major industrial sources. Water-quality tech: Morocco is testing an AI-plus-drone system to detect toxic algal blooms in reservoirs early, using sensors and satellite imagery to protect freshwater supplies. Marine conservation funding push: Gulf of Guinea countries, including Mauritania, are urged to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock international funding for ocean protection.

El Niño Food Crisis: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could worsen food insecurity across East and Southern Africa, with 18+ million at risk now and projections of 49 million more facing acute hunger by end-2027; WFP says it has already triggered anticipatory plans in countries including Mauritania and is boosting early action to prepare for drought, floods and extreme heat. Desertification Fight in Mauritania: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to restore degraded ecosystems, targeting 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions—aimed at stabilizing dunes, improving grazing lands and boosting biodiversity. Hidden Emissions Spotlight: Satellite checks suggest some oil, gas and mining sites report far less carbon than they actually emit, with a very large iron mine in Mauritania flagged as a major “off the books” source. Marine Conservation Data Push: Gulf of Guinea countries, including Mauritania, are being urged to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock international funding for ocean protection under regional conservation efforts. Water Tech & Climate Risk: Morocco’s AI-and-drone system to detect toxic algae early highlights how water-quality threats are rising as reservoirs face growing stress.

Carbon Accountability: A new satellite-based study says oil and gas sites across northern Africa and the Middle East emit far more CO₂ than official records show, with Mauritania’s large iron mine flagged as a major “off-the-books” source—raising the risk that climate targets are being missed. Desertification Fight: Mauritania has launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to restore degraded land, covering 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions, aiming to stabilize dunes, revive grazing lands, and boost biodiversity. Water Security Tech: Morocco is testing an AI system using aquatic drones, sensors, spectrometry and satellite imagery to detect toxic algal blooms early in reservoirs—an approach that could matter region-wide where water scarcity is already severe. Blue Economy Data Push: Gulf of Guinea countries, including Mauritania, are urged to share fisheries and marine biodiversity data to unlock conservation funding and strengthen ocean protection. Energy & Growth: Mauritania’s central bank reports 4% GDP growth in 2025, helped by export diversification and early natural gas shipments from GTA.