AGP Executive Report

Cancer Manufacturing Breakthrough: UNB chemistry professor Dr. Yang Qu says a new Science study found a specialized protein in Madagascar periwinkle that can boost vinblastine production in yeast systems—aiming to make the cancer drug far easier to manufacture. Critical Minerals & Graphite: Evion secured mining permits for its Maniry graphite project in Madagascar, a key step toward financing and development under the country’s new mining code. US–Africa Minerals Race: A new U.S. defense directive pushes tighter oversight of critical mineral supply chains, likely raising the strategic value of African producers like the DRC, South Africa, and Zambia. Energy Transition Watch: Nigeria’s solar boom is growing fast via small-scale systems, but utility-scale investment gaps are still limiting major electricity improvements. Regional Security: SADC ministers met in Malawi to review peace and security, with DRC conflict, terrorism, organised crime, and cybercrime on the agenda. Madagascar in the News Mix: A separate report notes two Malagasy citizens injured in 2025 protests returned home after treatment in Russia.

Public Safety & Governance: Antananarivo’s child abduction crisis is escalating, with officials citing 172 disappearances since Jan 1 and public anger turning into vigilante violence as the junta’s “war” rhetoric faces mounting calls from civil society and the Catholic Church for real action. Medical Research: A UNB chemistry team says it has found a protein in Madagascar periwinkle that could make vinblastine production far more efficient—an industrial biosynthesis leap published in Science. Critical Minerals: Evion secured mining permits for its Maniry graphite project in Madagascar, clearing the way for financing and development under the country’s new mining code. Space & Connectivity: Amazon and Starlink’s satellite push is bringing a new “internet from space” competition to Africa, raising questions on how African nations should shape the space economy. Tech Policy: A global push for AI governance in Shanghai focused on making AI useful for doctors, farmers, teachers, and public services—not just for big tech. Energy Access: Beyond2020 announced solar-powered health centres in India reaching 200,000 people, highlighting how clean power can support healthcare where electricity is scarce.

Madagascar Mining Watch: Evion Group says it has secured mining permits for its Maniry graphite project in Madagascar, a key step that turns exploration tenure into long-term mining rights and clears the way for financing and a possible final investment decision. Space & Connectivity: Amazon and Starlink are pushing satellite internet ambitions across Africa, raising questions on how African nations should engage with the new low-earth-orbit space race. Maritime Security: East Africa’s coast faces a growing threat from unregistered small vessels used for large-scale smuggling, after a major seizure tied to satellite-linked coordination. Health & Energy: Beyond2020 (Zayed Sustainability Prize) announced solar-powered health centres in India serving 200,000+ people, highlighting how off-grid power can expand medical access. AI & the Web: A report warns AI-driven search and “AI mode” may shift more internet traffic away from human-run sites, putting the open web’s business model under pressure. Madagascar in the Spotlight: A separate note mentions Madagascar among countries scheduled for diplomatic accreditation ceremonies in Germany. Biodiversity Tech: Researchers spotlight Darwin’s bark spider from Madagascar for its ultra-tough silk, a potential blueprint for stronger, lighter materials.

Madagascar Critical Minerals: Evion Group secured mining permits for its Maniry graphite project, a major regulatory step that converts exploration licences into mining tenure and clears the way for financing, offtake talks and construction. Digital & AI: A new report warns that AI-driven search experiences are pulling users away from the open web, with non-human traffic rising and potentially squeezing ad-funded publishing models. Clean Energy for Health: UAE’s Beyond2020 (Zayed Sustainability Prize) announced six solar-powered health centres in rural Karnataka, improving reliable care for 200,000+ people with energy-efficient medical tech. Ocean Tech & Research: French scientists’ underwater hydrophones linked to the MH370 search story highlight how long-term ocean monitoring could help detect rare events in the Indian Ocean. Biodiversity & Materials: Madagascar’s Darwin’s bark spider is drawing engineering interest after researchers highlighted its ultra-tough silk and river-spanning webs that could inspire stronger, lighter fibres. Energy Skills: Energy Transition Africa selected 15 Pan-African fellows (from 8 countries, including Madagascar) to build capacity around the continent’s energy crisis.

Madagascar Mining Watch: Evion Group just cleared a big regulatory hurdle for its Maniry graphite project, winning mining permits from Madagascar’s Ministry of Mines—turning remaining exploration licences into mining tenure and paving the way for financing and a final investment decision. Clean Energy & Health Access: The Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 initiative says six solar-powered health centres in Karnataka, India are now serving 200,000+ people, helping remote communities get care without long trips. AI & the Web: A new report warns that AI-driven search is shifting more traffic away from human-run websites, raising concerns about whether the open web’s business model can survive. Tech for Learning: A Madagascar-linked project from Thinking Huts highlights 3D-printed, solar-powered education infrastructure for children in nearby villages. Biodiversity Tech: Researchers spotlight Darwin’s bark spider in Madagascar for its river-spanning webs and ultra-tough silk—fuel for stronger, lighter materials research.

Satellite Connectivity Test: Airtel Madagascar and the ICT ministry say they’ve successfully tested direct satellite-to-mobile tech with live WhatsApp calls, messaging, voice services, and access to Facebook/YouTube—built on Airtel Africa’s deal with SpaceX/Starlink Direct to Cell. Education & Internet Access: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027, expanding on Malawi’s Nzeru Connect (36 schools already online) with teacher training and UNICEF learning content. Biodiversity & Materials Science: Madagascar’s Darwin’s bark spider is drawing global attention for river-spanning webs and ultra-tough silk that could inspire stronger, lighter fibres. Deep-Sea Mining Warning: The IUCN flags deep-sea mining as the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near Madagascar, warning that mining could smother vent life. Energy & Climate Resilience: UN-linked reporting highlights El Niño risk for Madagascar and other African states, with calls for faster resilience funding and action. Heritage Restitution: Madagascar celebrates the return of King Toera’s skull and three Sakalava remains from France, with burial planned for Aug. 31.

Satellite Connectivity Test: Airtel Madagascar, with the ICT ministry, ran a live trial of direct-to-cell satellite tech with WhatsApp calls, texts, voice services, and access to Facebook/YouTube—built on its 2025 deal with SpaceX/Starlink. Education & Internet Access: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027, expanding on its Malawi rollout (36 schools connected) with teacher training and UNICEF digital content via zero-rated platforms. AI Governance: A UN high-level meeting in Shanghai pushed the idea that AI must turn into practical tools for doctors, farmers, teachers, and public services—not just policy talk. Energy Skills for Africa: Energy Transition Africa selected 15 fellows from eight countries for a pan-African energy fellowship aimed at tackling the continent’s energy crisis. Madagascar Science Spotlight: Researchers highlighted Darwin’s bark spider from Madagascar for its river-spanning webs and ultra-tough silk, inspiring stronger synthetic fibres. Deep-Sea Mining Warning: The IUCN flagged deep-sea mining as the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near Madagascar. Cultural Restitution: France returned the skull of King Toera and three Sakalava-linked remains to Madagascar for burial in August.

Satellite-to-Cell Test: Airtel Madagascar has successfully trialed direct satellite-to-mobile services with live WhatsApp calls, texts, voice, and access to platforms like Facebook/YouTube—built on Airtel Africa’s deal with SpaceX/Starlink. Education Connectivity: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027 with free internet, zero-rated UNICEF-backed learning content, and teacher training; the push is already underway in several countries. Health & Antibiotics: A JAMA Network Open study across six African countries (including Madagascar) reports high and rising antimicrobial resistance in common UTI bacteria, stressing stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Deep-Sea Mining Warning: IUCN flags deep-sea mining as the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near the Madagascar region, warning that mining could smother vent life. Energy Skills for Africa: Energy Transition Africa selected a founding cohort of 15 fellows from eight countries to tackle the continent’s energy crisis—aiming to grow local expertise and infrastructure capacity. Cyborg Bio-Innovation: Researchers unveiled cyborg cockroaches with a soft diving suit and miniature oxygen generators, enabling remote-controlled survival underwater for up to three hours. Wind Tech Logistics: The Maersk Viridis offshore wind installation vessel arrived in Curaçao en route to the US, after calling at Toamasina, Madagascar—highlighting the island’s role in global clean-energy supply chains. Cultural Restitution: Madagascar received the skull of King Toera and three others from France, with burial planned for Aug 31—an important tech-adjacent moment for heritage science and museum ethics.

Madagascar Heritage Returns: France hands back the skull of King Toera and three Sakalava-linked remains to Madagascar, with burial planned for Aug. 31—an emotional restitution after colonial-era trophy taking. Satellite Connectivity Test: Airtel Madagascar, with the ICT ministry, trialed direct-to-mobile satellite tech (via SpaceX/Starlink Direct to Cell), showing WhatsApp video calls, messaging, voice, and access to major platforms. Health & Antibiotic Resistance: A JAMA Network Open study across six African countries (including Madagascar) reports high and rising antimicrobial resistance in common UTI bacteria, stressing the need for better monitoring and treatment guidance. Energy Skills for Africa: Energy Transition Africa selected 15 fellows from eight countries (including Madagascar’s Dieudonne Soatsara) to build capacity around the continent’s energy crisis. Bio-Inspired Tech: Researchers highlighted Darwin’s bark spider from Madagascar, whose river-spanning webs use silk far tougher than many synthetic materials—fuel for stronger future fibres. Regional Security Talks: SADC ministers met in Malawi to tackle DRC conflict, terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, and governance.

Energy Skills for Africa: Energy Transition Africa (ETA) has selected 15 “Pan-African Fellows” from eight countries (including Madagascar’s Dieudonne Soatsara) after 231 applications, aiming to strengthen energy crisis response with more trained professionals. Madagascar Health & Diplomacy: Two Malagasy citizens injured in Madagascar protests (autumn 2025) returned home after surgery, diagnostics and rehabilitation in Russia, coordinated with the Russian Defence Ministry and Madagascar’s public health and trade ministries. Bio-Inspired Robotics: Researchers built cyborg cockroaches with miniature oxygen generators and remote steering via antenna electrodes, designed to keep the insects working for up to three hours underwater or in low-oxygen conditions. Marine Science: A deep-sea mining update flags the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near Madagascar, warning that mining could smother vent life via sediment plumes. Connectivity for Learning: Airtel Madagascar tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech (Starlink Direct to Cell) and, across the region, Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools with free internet and zero-rated learning platforms by 2027. Local Tech Nature Watch: Scientists continue spotlighting Madagascar’s Darwin’s bark spider, whose river-spanning webs and ultra-tough silk could inspire stronger, lighter materials. Regional Security Tech Policy: SADC ministers met in Malawi to coordinate on cybercrime and governance alongside DRC conflict and organised crime.

Education Connectivity: Airtel Madagascar tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech with Starlink’s Direct to Cell, showing WhatsApp video calls, texts, voice, and access to Facebook/YouTube—an early sign of faster rural connectivity. Digital Learning Expansion: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027 (Malawi: 36 schools already online; more scheduled), using UNICEF content plus teacher training and zero-rated e-learning sites. Energy Skills for Africa: Energy Transition Africa selected 15 “Pan-African Fellows” from 231 applicants across eight countries, including a Madagascar participant, to build capacity for the continent’s energy transition. Biotech/Health: A JAMA Network Open study reports rising antimicrobial resistance in UTIs across six African countries, including Madagascar, stressing the need for better monitoring and treatment guidance. Biodiversity & Mining: IUCN flagged deep-sea mining as the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near Madagascar, warning that mining could smother vent ecosystems. Science & Nature: Darwin’s bark spider in Madagascar makes river-spanning orb webs using ultra-tough silk, inspiring stronger synthetic fibres. Space/Robotics (Global): Researchers built cyborg cockroaches with miniature oxygen generators and remote steering for underwater search missions. Culture/Heritage: Madagascar received the skull of King Toera and three Sakalava remains from France, with burial planned for Aug 31.

Madagascar Science & Tech: A new study highlights Darwin’s bark spider (found in Madagascar) and its river-spanning webs plus ultra-tough silk, pushing biologists and materials scientists toward stronger, lighter synthetic fibres. Health & Research: A JAMA Network Open analysis across six African countries (including Madagascar) reports rising antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infection bacteria, stressing the need for better monitoring and treatment guidance. Education & Connectivity: Airtel Madagascar tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech with Starlink’s Direct to Cell, showing WhatsApp video calls and access to platforms like Facebook/YouTube—an early sign of faster connectivity options for remote areas. Energy & Industry: A major offshore wind installation vessel, Maersk Viridis, reached Curaçao on a route that included Toamasina, Madagascar—another reminder of Madagascar’s role in global tech supply chains. Culture & Heritage: Madagascar received the skull of King Toera and three others from France, with burial planned for Aug 31, a landmark restitution tied to colonial-era science collections.

Satellite-to-mobile in Madagascar: Airtel Madagascar, with the ICT ministry, has tested direct satellite-to-mobile services, including WhatsApp video calls, text and voice, after a December 2025 deal with SpaceX/Starlink. Education connectivity: Airtel Africa says it will connect 5,000 schools to free internet by 2027 (building on UNICEF-backed work that already connected 3,296 schools), with zero-rated learning platforms and ICT labs. Public spending skills: Over 140 SADC officials will train in Johannesburg on cost-benefit analysis to help governments prioritize high-impact projects under tight budgets. Health tech and data: A JAMA Network Open study across six African countries, including Madagascar, reports rising antimicrobial resistance in UTIs, stressing stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Climate risk: UN forecasts warn El Niño could hit hardest across parts of Africa, with Madagascar listed among high-risk countries. Science at sea: IUCN flags deep-sea mining as the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near the Madagascar region. Heritage restitution: Madagascar receives the skull of King Toera and three others from France, with burial planned for Aug 31.

Satellite Connectivity in Schools: Airtel Madagascar tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech with WhatsApp calls and access to Facebook/YouTube, building on a Starlink Direct to Cell deal—while Airtel Africa pushes free internet to 5,000 schools by 2027 (zero-rated learning platforms, teacher training) to tackle the digital education gap. Climate & Health Risk: UN warns El Niño could hit hardest across Africa, with Madagascar listed among high-risk countries; a separate study flags rising antimicrobial resistance in UTIs across several African nations including Madagascar. Ocean Tech & Biodiversity: Deep-sea mining is now the top threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near the Madagascar Basin, as IUCN updates its Red List. Regional Security: SADC ministers met in Malawi to coordinate on DRC conflict, terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime and governance. Madagascar Heritage: France returned the skull of King Toera and three Sakalava remains to Madagascar for burial on Aug 31. Tech for Disaster Response: Researchers unveiled “insect cyborgs” using Madagascar hissing cockroaches for search missions in rubble and low-oxygen spaces.

Satellite Connectivity: Airtel Madagascar has tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech with WhatsApp calls, texts, voice, and access to platforms like Facebook/YouTube, building on its Airtel–SpaceX/Starlink Direct to Cell deal. Digital Learning: Airtel Africa is pushing to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries with free internet by 2027 (Malawi already has 36 connected), using UNICEF content and teacher training plus ICT labs. Climate Risk & Health: A new study flags rising antimicrobial resistance in UTIs across six African countries including Madagascar, underlining the need for stronger monitoring and treatment policy. Biodiversity Under Pressure: IUCN says deep-sea mining is the biggest threat to a critically endangered deep-sea snail found near Madagascar, warning that mining could smother vent ecosystems. Education Access: New data shows over 100 million African children and adolescents remain out of school, with progress stalling as population growth outpaces attendance. Tech for Disaster Response: Researchers are developing insect cyborgs—using Madagascar hissing cockroaches—for search-and-rescue in rubble and low-oxygen conditions. Local Heritage: Madagascar received the skull of King Toera and three others from France for burial in August, a major restitution milestone.

Sanctions & Payments: A new investigation says Russia-linked A7 is expanding in Africa and may be tied to Kremlin interests, with Belarusian businessman Aliaksandr Zingman spotted at events tied to the network’s Nigeria and Zimbabwe push. Deep-Sea Biodiversity: IUCN’s latest Red List update flags deep-sea mining as the top threat to the critically endangered “lucky lirapex” snail, found near a China-issued extraction license that could smother vent life. Satellite Connectivity: Airtel Madagascar tested direct-to-mobile satellite tech with WhatsApp calls, messaging, and access to major apps after a deal with SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell. School Internet Push: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools to free internet by 2027 with UNICEF support, building on 3,296 schools already connected and zero-rated learning platforms. Health & Antibiotic Resistance: A JAMA Network Open study across six African countries, including Madagascar, reports high and rising antimicrobial resistance in common UTI bacteria. Climate Risk: Coverage warns “super” El Niño could hit women hardest, turning climate shocks into major health burdens. Ocean Governance: With the High Seas Treaty in force, African proposals for marine protected areas in international waters are moving forward, but enforcement details remain unclear. Tech for Disaster Response: Researchers describe “insect cyborgs” using a cockroach diving suit for search-and-rescue in floods and rubble-filled spaces.