AGP Executive Report

Southern Africa Gender Watch: The expanded Southern Africa Gender and Development Index scores the region at 58%, with South Africa highest (74%) and Angola lowest (48%), tracking progress and backlash across law, health, representation, GBV, climate justice and media. Transboundary Water Governance: Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania signed the Ruvuma/Rovuma Establishment Agreement to create a River Basin Commission, building on earlier cooperation and aiming for more inclusive management of shared waters for people, agriculture, fisheries and biodiversity. Deep-Sea Minerals Race: A US-China rivalry is accelerating interest in deep-ocean minerals worth up to $16 trillion, raising new questions for Africa’s environment as seabed exploration expands. Mozambique Rare Earths Study: NeoTerra selected Valentine Enterprises to lead a USTDA-funded prefeasibility study for its Monte Muambe rare earth project, with drilling and testing set to start in September. Cabo Delgado LNG Local Capacity: TotalEnergies says it has trained 100 SMEs in Cabo Delgado through its CapacitaMoz programme, with support for management, finance, safety and environment to strengthen supply-chain readiness. Protected Areas Under Pressure: Illegal gold mining is damaging Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve in Nsanje, with trenches, tree cutting and habitat loss spreading beyond initial hotspots. Flood-hit Agriculture Plan: Mozambique’s agricultural plan is budgeted at $2bn over four years to boost productivity for over two million producers in Gaza, including extension, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, mechanisation and irrigation.

Mozambique LNG Local Capacity: TotalEnergies says it has trained 100 SMEs in Cabo Delgado under its CapacitaMoz programme, with support spanning management, finance, marketing, quality control, health, safety and environment—aimed at strengthening local supply chains for LNG projects. Protected Areas Under Pressure: Illegal gold mining is damaging Nsanje’s Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve, with trenches and pits replacing wildlife trails and officials warning the encroachment is spreading, driven by an informal economy linking miners and buyers. Regional Energy-Industry Push: As South Africa takes the SADC chair, the South African Chamber of Business in Mozambique urges Mozambique and South Africa to champion the Temane–Inhambane Energy Hub as a national flagship for turning gas into industry and jobs. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Mozambique’s agricultural plan is budgeted at $2bn over four years, targeting flood-hit Gaza and expanding productivity for over two million producers through extension, research, seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, mechanisation and irrigation. Fossil Fuel Finance Fight: A US court refused to block a major Export-Import Bank loan for TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project, keeping the financing on track despite environmental group challenges. Biodiversity and Knowledge: New research highlights how greater honeyguides in Mozambique recognise specific honey-hunter calls, pointing to a finely tuned human–wildlife relationship shaped by local tradition.

Illegal Mining Threatens Protected Areas: In Nsanje District, gold rush activity is carving trenches and pits into Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve and Matandwe Forest Reserve, degrading habitats and pushing deeper into protected land. Local Energy & Industry Push: Mozambique’s LNG drive continues to build local capacity: TotalEnergies says its CapacitaMoz programme has trained 100 SMEs in Cabo Delgado, with training spanning management, finance, health, safety and environment. Rare Earths Study Moves Forward: NeoTerra has selected Valentine Enterprises to lead a USTDA-funded prefeasibility study for its Monte Muambe rare earth project, with drilling and metallurgical sampling set to start in September. Climate Carbon Discovery: A new study finds Angola’s peatlands are at least four times larger than thought, helping regulate river flows and store climate-warming carbon—raising the stakes for protecting similar ecosystems across southern Africa. Regional Policy Momentum: At the SADC summit in Durban, leaders backed faster industrialisation, agricultural transformation and critical minerals value chains, alongside calls for improved regional integration and trade. Fossil Fuel Finance Fight: A US appeals court refused to block a nearly $5bn Export-Import Bank loan for TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project, despite environmental group challenges.

Mozambique Flood Response & Farm Boost: Mozambique’s agricultural plan is budgeted at US$2bn over four years, targeting productivity for over 2 million small-scale producers in flood-hit Gaza, with support ranging from extension and research to improved seeds, fertiliser/pesticides, mechanisation and irrigation. Climate-Smart Crops: The International Potato Centre and partners released new potato and sweetpotato varieties in Mozambique, Malawi, and Ethiopia aimed at climate stress and disease pressure, including traits for late blight tolerance and drought resilience. LNG, Courts & Environment: A US appeals court refused to block a $4.7bn Export-Import Bank loan backing TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project in Cabo Delgado, keeping the financing on track despite environmental groups’ legal challenge. Regional Industrial Push (SADC): At the Durban summit, SADC leaders backed industrialisation, agricultural transformation, critical minerals value-addition, and regional integration, with Ramaphosa calling for faster one-stop border posts and climate-resilient food systems—issues that directly shape Mozambique’s environment and land-use pressures. Biodiversity & Local Knowledge: Research on Mozambique honey hunting highlights how greater honeyguides may recognise local bird calls used by honey hunters to find hidden bee nests, pointing to a fragile human–wildlife communication link.

Mozambique LNG Legal Fight: A US appeals court refused to block a nearly $5bn Export-Import Bank loan backing TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project in Cabo Delgado, keeping the financing on track despite environmental groups’ challenge. Agriculture & Flood Recovery: Mozambique’s agricultural plan is budgeted at $2bn over four years for small-scale producers in flood-hit Gaza, including irrigation support, improved seeds, fertiliser/manure, extension, and producer financing. Climate-Smart Crops: The International Potato Centre and partners released new potato and sweetpotato varieties in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mozambique aimed at climate stress and disease pressure, including late blight tolerance and higher yields. SADC Summit Push (Regional Climate-Resilience): At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, leaders backed industrialisation tied to infrastructure, agricultural transformation and critical minerals, plus faster regional trade via one-stop border posts and a renewed push for integration. Biodiversity & Local Livelihoods: In Mozambique’s Kosi Bay area, authorities stepped up action against illegal gill-netting, removing nearly 300 nets over the past year to protect fish stocks in a protected lake system. Wildlife Knowledge Sharing: Research on Mozambique and Tanzania honey hunting found honeyguides respond to specific local calls from hunters, highlighting a rare human–wildlife communication shaped by tradition.

Human–wildlife communication in Mozambique: New research from forests in Mozambique (and Tanzania) shows greater honeyguides respond to the specific calls used by local honey hunters, not just any similar sound—highlighting a rare, tradition-shaped partnership between people and a wild species that helps locate hidden bee nests. Mozambique LNG legal pressure: A US appeals court refused to block a nearly $5bn Export-Import Bank loan tied to TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project in Cabo Delgado, despite challenges from environmental groups. SADC industrial push with climate and resources in mind: At the 46th SADC summit in Durban, leaders backed faster regional integration and industrialisation, including value chains for minerals and agriculture, plus moves like one-stop border posts and a regional tourism visa. Regional energy bottleneck focus: Commentary around the summit stresses the real constraint is transmission and cross-border power coordination, not generation—an issue for mining, agro-processing and climate resilience. Illegal fishing crackdown in Kosi Bay: In southern Mozambique–South Africa border waters, anti-poaching teams removed nearly 300 illegal gill nets over the past year, targeting indiscriminate synthetic nets that threaten fish stocks. Public health emergency: The EU released €2.3m emergency cholera funding for Nigeria and other African countries, including support for water, sanitation and hygiene and surveillance.

SADC Summit Outcomes: Leaders meeting in Durban backed faster regional integration and industrialisation, with a push to build value chains around critical minerals and agriculture, plus new steps like One-Stop Border Posts to cut long border delays. Regional Peace & Security: The summit reviewed security concerns including northern Mozambique and reaffirmed commitments to dialogue. Migration Pressure: SADC endorsed South Africa’s call for regional talks after xenophobia and deportations hit migrants from across the bloc, including Mozambicans. Mozambique LNG Watch: ExxonMobil says it has committed $1.1bn ahead of final approval for its Mozambique LNG project, with major equipment orders for Area 4 partners. Public Health: The EU released €2.3m emergency funding for cholera response in Nigeria and other African countries, targeting water, sanitation and surveillance. Conservation & Fisheries: In Kosi Bay (KZN–southern Mozambique), authorities removed nearly 300 illegal gill nets as pressure grows on a protected lake system. Soil & Food Systems: Mozambique’s SoilFER work is boosting soil testing and training for women scientists at the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique, supporting more productive, safer farming.

Mozambique LNG Push: ExxonMobil has awarded major long-lead equipment contracts worth $1.1bn for the Rovuma LNG project, a move that signals momentum toward a final investment decision before end-2026 despite past delays tied to markets and insecurity in Cabo Delgado. Regional Energy Integration: At the 46th SADC summit, leaders—including incoming chair Cyril Ramaphosa—pressed for faster regional integration, including One-Stop Border Posts and stronger cross-border energy links, while the African Energy Chamber backed an integrated regional energy network to unlock industrial growth. SADC Industrialisation Agenda: The summit also backed a SADC Tourism UNIVISA and renewed focus on infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals transformation—plus calls to stop exporting raw minerals and instead build local value chains. El Niño and Climate-Smart Farming: Zimbabwe’s Zadzamatura highlights drought-tolerant germplasm and climate-smart agronomy as El Niño threatens the 2025/26 season across the region. Mozambique Soil Science for Farmers: FAO reports on SoilFER strengthening Mozambican women scientists at IIAM, using soil testing to guide better cassava and broader farm productivity. Illegal Fishing Pressure (Kosi Bay): In South Africa’s Kosi Bay system on the Mozambique border, anti-poaching teams removed nearly 300 illegal gill nets and arrested suspects, as synthetic nets keep catching fish indiscriminately. Public Health Funding: The EU released €2.3m for cholera control in Nigeria and other countries, including water, sanitation and hygiene support and stronger surveillance.

Illegal Fishing Crackdown (Kosi Bay): Mozambique’s Kosi Bay lake system on the KZN–southern Mozambique border is under pressure from population growth and rising unemployment, with illegal gill-netting replacing traditional fish traps that let juveniles escape; anti-poaching teams removed nearly 300 gill nets in the past year, and a joint operation involving nearly 60 officers led to arrests of suspected fishing syndicate members. Soil Science for Farmers (Mozambique): Through SoilFER and work at Mozambique’s Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM), Mozambican women scientists are analysing around 100 soil samples a day, including fertility and heavy-metal properties, to help improve crop productivity and guide safer, smarter farming. Climate-Smart Agriculture (SADC, incl. Zimbabwe): A drought-tolerant germplasm and climate-smart agronomy push is being promoted to build El Niño resilience, with emphasis on conservation agriculture, water-use efficiency, and early-maturing varieties to protect regional food security. Regional Power and Water for Resilience (SADC): Southern African leaders, including South Africa’s Ramaphosa and SADC officials, are urging deeper integration and more reliable electricity and shared infrastructure—key for irrigation, processing, and climate adaptation across the region. Critical Minerals Value-Add (SADC): SADC’s Elias Magosi called for stopping raw critical-mineral exports and moving toward beneficiation and manufacturing, linking industrial jobs to how the region powers and processes resources. Health Preparedness (Mozambique in regional training): A World Bank-supported training programme in Dar es Salaam is strengthening frontline capacity to monitor chronic diseases alongside outbreak response across Eastern and Southern Africa, including Mozambique.

SADC Integration Push: South Africa has taken the SADC Council of Ministers chairship and is driving a regional agenda on peace, industrialisation, critical minerals value chains and higher intra-SADC trade—an approach that matters for Mozambique’s environment-linked supply chains and cross-border development. Mozambique–Tanzania Trade Gateway: A diplomatic interview argues Tanzania is becoming a key gateway for Mozambican firms to reach wider East, Central and Southern African markets, with implications for transport corridors and the environmental footprint of trade. Rail Reform for Minerals: Reuters reports Traxtion is betting on open-access freight rail reforms and a regional mineral boom, with Mozambique named among countries opening rail networks—good for logistics, but a reminder to plan for land, habitat and pollution impacts. Transboundary Conservation in Focus: SADC is advancing transfrontier conservation cooperation after a Maputo dialogue, calling for stronger national ownership and multi-sector coordination to protect shared ecosystems and wildlife corridors. Ocean Protection vs Deep-Sea Mining: Mauritius, Mozambique and others back a precautionary pause on seabed mining at ISA talks, reflecting growing concern for ocean health as critical-mineral demand rises. Cabo Delgado Timber Concerns: A report highlights allegations of large-scale illegal timber exports despite bans, pointing to governance and enforcement gaps that threaten forests and livelihoods. Health Systems Under Conflict: A new report says up to 80% of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are non-operational, underscoring how insecurity damages basic services and environmental health conditions. Border and Migration Pressure: South Africa intercepted 4,229 undocumented foreign nationals (including Mozambicans) between April and July, while leaders also condemned violence against migrants—issues that can intensify pressure on land and local ecosystems.

Cabo Delgado Forests Under Fire: Mozambique’s environment watchdog says illegal timber exports are still massive despite insecurity, citing findings that over 89% of timber shipped to China (2017–2023) broke the log-export ban—showing how logging, checkpoints and political protection can keep moving even when field inspections are limited. Transboundary Conservation Push: SADC is advancing transfrontier conservation cooperation after a Maputo dialogue, calling for stronger national ownership and coordinated, multi-sector implementation of cross-border wildlife and ecosystem protection. Mozambique–Malawi Health Gaps: A report on Mozambicans seeking care in Malawi highlights weak cross-border data sharing and treatment continuity, with knock-on effects for resource allocation and ongoing care. Fentanyl Seizures at Maputo: Mozambique seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl hidden in cosmetics shipments at Maputo Airport, following another large interception in June—raising concerns that the country is becoming a transit route for international drug networks. Agroecology for Women: A Mozambican activist argues agroecology can help rural women hit by extractive industries and conflict by enabling pesticide-free food production, trade, and better food security. Circular Economy Opportunity: Southern African businesses, including Mozambique, are invited to a circular innovation challenge focused on reducing waste and retaining value, with funding and testing support.

Cabo Delgado forests under pressure: Mozambique’s environmental agency says security risks limit field inspections, but reporting points to a much bigger driver of forest loss: illegal timber exports at massive scale, including shipments to China despite a national log-export ban—showing how conflict can’t fully explain the logistics of cutting, moving, documenting and shipping. Cross-border health gaps: Mozambicans seeking care in Malawi highlight weak cross-border data sharing and treatment continuity, raising risks for patients as they move for services. Transfrontier conservation push: SADC is advancing transboundary conservation cooperation, with Maputo hosting dialogue to strengthen national ownership and coordination for wildlife and shared ecosystems. Ocean protection vs mining: Mauritius, Mozambique and the Republic of the Congo back a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, joining a growing African bloc arguing for stronger science and caution before seabed extraction. Mozambique drug trafficking signal: Authorities seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, with the shipment routed via Angola—another sign Mozambique is being used as a transit corridor. Agroecology for rural resilience: A Mozambican women’s rights advocate argues agroecology can help rural women hit by extractive industries and conflict produce pesticide-free food, protect livelihoods and improve food security. Energy access and climate risk: Commentary warns that super El Niño could worsen drought and humanitarian crises across Southern Africa, underlining the urgency of resilience planning.

Cabo Delgado Forests Under Scrutiny: Mozambique’s illegal logging problem is still being blamed on insecurity, but reporting says the scale of timber exports to China (including shipments allegedly in breach of the log-export ban) can’t be explained away by conflict alone, raising fresh questions about checkpoints, permits and political protection. Transboundary Conservation Push: SADC is moving to strengthen transfrontier conservation cooperation, with member states urged to implement TFCAs through coordinated national action—an approach meant to protect shared ecosystems and wildlife corridors. Mozambique–Malawi Health Gaps: Mozambican patients crossing into Malawi are exposing weaknesses in cross-border data sharing, treatment continuity and resource planning, with knock-on effects for care access. Mozambique Drug Seizures: Authorities seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, following another large interception earlier this year—spotlighting Mozambique’s role in trafficking routes. SADC Housing & Climate Impacts: South Africa and UN-Habitat are launching a new country office in Tshwane to tackle housing and sustainable urban development as climate change intensifies pressures on cities. Agroecology for Women: A Mozambican activist argues agroecology can help rural women hit by extractives and conflict produce pesticide-free food, improve food security and earn income. SADC Summit Focus: Ahead of the 46th SADC summit in Durban, leaders are framing the bloc’s agenda around resilient, sustainable industrialisation, infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals.

Cross-border Health & Data: Mozambican patients in Malawi are exposing gaps in cross-border data sharing, treatment continuity and resource allocation as people from Tete travel for care. Transfrontier Conservation: SADC is pushing stronger transboundary conservation, with Maputo-hosted dialogue calling for coordinated national implementation of Transfrontier Conservation Areas. Wildlife & Culture: The greater honeyguide’s partnership with human honey hunters is highlighted as a rare example of animal-led communication that boosts harvest success. Cabo Delgado Forests Under Pressure: A new report argues Cabo Delgado’s conflict can’t fully explain large-scale illegal timber exports, pointing to systemic bottlenecks from cutting to shipping. Deep-sea Mining Pause: Mauritius, Mozambique and Congo join a growing African precautionary camp at the ISA, citing weak science and governance gaps. Climate Risk: Southern Africa braces for severe El Niño impacts, with warnings of drought, wildfires and wildlife losses. Mozambique Drugs Seizure: Mozambique seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, underscoring concerns about trafficking routes. Agroecology for Women: An interview spotlights agroecology as a pesticide-free pathway for rural women’s food security and income amid extractive-industry and conflict pressures. Circular Economy Call: A regional circular innovation challenge offers funding and testing support for waste-reducing business ideas from Mozambique and neighbours.

Mozambique Drug Bust: Mozambique seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, with the consignment arriving in batches from Brazil via Luanda and hidden in cosmetics boxes; a 31-year-old collector was arrested, marking a major warning for the country’s role in trafficking routes. Agroecology for Women: Mozambican activist Olga Muthambe says agroecology can help rural women hit back against extractive-industry and conflict impacts by producing pesticide-free food and income, with programs reaching women across Maputo, Gaza, Tete and Cabo Delgado. Ocean Protection Push: Mauritius, Mozambique and the Republic of the Congo joined a growing African bloc backing a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining at the ISA, arguing science and governance gaps remain too large. SADC Climate Alarm: SADC warned a severe El Niño could worsen drought, hunger, water shortages and disease across Southern Africa, with Mozambique in the wider risk zone. Circular Economy Funding: A regional circular innovation challenge offers entrepreneurs across Mozambique and neighbours R250,000 plus mentorship and testing at the V&A Waterfront for waste-reducing, regenerative ideas.

Fertiliser shock and food prices: Slower shipping through the Strait of Hormuz pushed urea prices up sharply, with African markets feeling it fast as fertiliser costs jump and threaten higher food prices. Mozambique drug trafficking: Mozambique seized 1.4 tonnes of fentanyl at Maputo Airport, with the consignment routed via São Paulo and Luanda, underscoring the country’s role in trafficking networks. Deep-sea mining pause gains support: Mauritius, Mozambique and the Republic of the Congo joined a precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining, bringing African backers to six amid calls for stronger science and governance. Natural capital in planning: The AfDB approved a US$4.23m grant to integrate natural capital into development financing across 13 countries, including Mozambique, from Oct 2026 to Sept 2029. Climate risk for Southern Africa: SADC warned a severe 2026/27 El Niño could worsen drought, wildfires, food insecurity and humanitarian needs, raising fertiliser and energy costs. Energy resilience: Malawi commissioned a utility-scale battery storage system to cut diesel reliance and help the grid handle climate shocks—an approach relevant to the region’s power vulnerabilities. SADC trade and minerals push: South Africa took SADC chair with a push for higher intra-regional trade and more value from critical minerals, including graphite. Housing and climate impacts: South Africa and UN-Habitat will launch a new country office in Tshwane to strengthen sustainable urban development and housing as climate change strains cities.