AGP Executive Report

Sovereign Finance: The Republic of Congo has listed $1.55 billion in government bonds on Nasdaq Dubai, widening the reach of its 9.5% notes among Middle Eastern investors. Health: A 90-day campaign aims to expand breast and cervical cancer prevention and screening; officials say cancer is now the country’s third-leading cause of adult deaths. Development Plan: Congo has validated the strategy for its 2027–2031 national plan, focused on jobs and skills, economic diversification, reducing inequalities, energy and digital transitions, and stronger governance. Power and Digital Access: The government and France’s development agency reviewed electricity projects, including a line linking Moukoukoulou to Mindouli and more resilient networks for Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. Congo is also advancing a national address system to help connect residents to public and digital services. Food Supply: With fish increasingly scarce and costly, land-based fish farms are expanding in Pointe-Noire, though high feed costs remain a major hurdle.

Digital Access: Congo’s communications regulator has paired a new connectivity strategy with plans to give every citizen a postal address, aiming to make public services and online access easier to reach. Mobile penetration is already 94.1%. Food Security: Fish farming in Pointe-Noire is gaining attention as pollution and overfishing worsen shortages. Farmers say high feed costs—about three-quarters of production expenses—remain a major barrier. Regional Trade: Brazzaville will host a Central African AfCFTA forum from Oct. 21 to 23, focused on expanding women’s and young entrepreneurs’ access to markets, finance and business partnerships. Agriculture: A new China–Congo agricultural technology laboratory is intended to boost research and farmer incomes; Chinese-supported cassava techniques have reportedly tripled yields in local fields. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda is visiting China from Oct. 19 to 25.

Regional Trade: Brazzaville will host a Central African AfCFTA conference from Oct. 21–23, with women and young entrepreneurs in focus. Organizers say the meeting will seek better market access, financing and business partnerships. Agriculture: A new China–Republic of Congo research lab aims to expand modern farming techniques; officials say supported cassava cultivation has tripled local yields. Business Costs: Fuel shortages are squeezing companies, with a government survey finding 30.4% face cash-flow risks and 43% report costs that cut profits. Wildlife: Bili, a young gorilla rescued from traffickers in Nigeria, has arrived at the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after three years of rehabilitation. She will complete quarantine before meeting another young gorilla.

Regional Trade: Brazzaville will host the “Sa Zlecaf” conference from Oct. 21–23, bringing governments and development partners together to expand women’s access to markets, finance and business networks under Africa’s free-trade pact. Agriculture: A new China–Republic of Congo research lab aims to boost modern farming; officials say Chinese-backed techniques have tripled cassava yields in local fields. Business Pressures: Fuel shortages threaten the cash flow of 30.4% of surveyed businesses and add costs for 43%, with transport, industry and services among the hardest hit. Budget Watch: The Senate has opened a 70-day session focused on the 2027 finance bill, alongside proposals on higher-education credentials, dental professionals and recognition of the transatlantic slave trade. Wildlife: Bili, a young gorilla rescued from traffickers in Nigeria, has arrived at the Tchimpounga Nature Reserve after three years of rehabilitation; she will remain in quarantine before meeting another young gorilla.

Business: Fuel shortages are threatening the cash flow of 30.4% of surveyed businesses in the Republic of Congo, while 43% report extra costs cutting into profits. Diesel disruptions are hitting industry, transport and services, compounded by power outages that force businesses to rely on generators. Wildlife: Bili, a young gorilla rescued from traffickers in Nigeria, has reached the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary in Congo after three years of care. She will spend 40 days in quarantine before meeting another young gorilla. National Budget: Congo’s Senate has opened a 70-day session focused on the 2027 budget, alongside bills on the recognition of the transatlantic slave trade, dental professionals and higher-education qualifications. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda is due to visit China from October 19 to 25 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Regional Travel: Congo has backed visa-free entry for African visitors from 2027.

Budget Watch: The Republic of Congo’s Senate has opened a 70-day session focused on the 2027 budget, alongside bills on higher-education qualifications, dental regulation and recognition of the transatlantic slave trade. Senate President Pierre Ngolo urged responsible spending, calling the budget a tool for economic transformation. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda will visit China from October 19 to 25 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Economic Reform: Finance Minister Christian Yoka joined counterparts at the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok in calling for Africa to move beyond crisis management through stronger domestic revenue, economic diversification and investment in people.

Budget Watch: The Republic of Congo’s Senate opened a 70-day session in Brazzaville on Oct. 15, with the 2027 finance bill at the top of its agenda. Senators will also consider bills on the transatlantic slave trade’s historical recognition, dental professionals and higher-education qualifications. Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda is due to visit China from Oct. 19 to 25 at Beijing’s invitation. Regional Tensions: Congo’s foreign minister called Rwanda’s planned Formula 1 Grand Prix “morally indefensible,” saying the event could help polish the image of a government accused of backing rebels in eastern Congo. Public Services: Communication Minister Thierry Lézin Moungalla says the state printing house has resumed activity after new machinery restored production capacity, including for key administrative documents.

China Visit: Republic of Congo Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda will visit China from October 19 to 25 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, with bilateral ties on the agenda. Public Services: Civil servants are set to work a seven-hour day, Monday to Friday, under a new decree reorganizing public administration hours. Health Workers: Unions suspended their nationwide strike after two months of salaries were paid and talks resumed, but their broader demands remain unsettled. Regional Travel: A cabinet-approved bill would lift entry visa requirements for African nationals from January 1, 2027, if Parliament passes it. Economic Policy: Finance Minister Christian Yoka urged African governments to move beyond managing crises, calling for stronger domestic revenues, diversified economies and investment in people at the IMF–World Bank meetings in Bangkok. State Printing: The government says the National Printing Office in Brazzaville has resumed work after new machinery restored production capacity.

Ebola Response: The outbreak in Congo has surpassed 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,300 deaths as containment efforts falter. Public Services: Health workers have returned to duty after unions suspended their strike following two months of salary payments, but talks continue over unresolved demands. The government has also set a seven-hour workday, Monday to Friday, for public administration. Economy and Travel: Congo’s cabinet approved a bill to waive entry visas for African nationals from January 1, 2027; Parliament must still pass it. The state printing office says new equipment has restored production capacity for key official documents. Forests: Global forest loss fell in 2025, but the Congo Basin lost about 2.4 million hectares, underscoring mounting pressure on the region’s forests. Public Safety: Police in Nigeria rescued five Congolese nationals suspected of being trafficked after they were allegedly lured there with promises of work.

Ebola Crisis: Confirmed cases in Congo have topped 9,000, with 4,381 deaths across seven provinces. Health officials warn community spread remains a concern; Kenya has confirmed a second case in a relative of its first patient, but reports no wider spread. Politics: Former president Joseph Kabila has launched an anti-government front that includes M23 rebels, raising fresh questions about the country’s political and security outlook. Forest Loss: The Congo Basin lost 2.4 million hectares of rainforest in 2025, nearly matching losses in the Amazon, despite a global slowdown in deforestation. Marine Pollution: A satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms. Finance and Jobs: Finance Minister Christian Yoka sought softer loan terms in talks with Kuwait’s development fund, while the EU opened a competition for young Congolese innovators in agriculture, clean energy, environmental management and digital technology.

Development Finance: Finance Minister Christian Yoka asked Kuwait’s development fund for softer loan terms during talks in Bangkok, reviewing existing projects and exploring new investment in Congo’s strategic sectors. Marine Protection: A satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms and threatening marine life. Forests: Global deforestation fell in 2025, but losses rose in the Congo Basin, putting pressure on a region vital to the world’s forests. Media: The Congolese Information Agency will train journalists in online verification from Oct. 26 to 30, including image checks and research techniques to counter disinformation. Youth and Jobs: The EU has opened a competition for Congolese innovators aged 18–35 in agriculture, renewable energy, environmental management and digital technology. Separately, a Brazzaville exchange is reviewing the Emateli job-training project, active in four cities. Regional Cooperation: More than 50 civil society groups are expected in Brazzaville in November to develop a shared Central African roadmap through 2036.

Regional Cooperation: More than 50 civil society groups will gather in Brazzaville on Nov. 13–14 to develop a shared Central African roadmap through 2036, moving beyond isolated projects. Youth Enterprise: The EU has launched a competition for young entrepreneurs in the Republic of Congo, offering 12 cash prizes of up to 4.5 million CFA francs and six months of coaching and funding support for 24 founders. Public Finances: Congo’s Senate opens its three-month budget session on Oct. 15, with the finance bill and treaties on higher-education qualifications and organized crime among 13 agenda items. The 2027 budget is reported to plan 680 billion CFA francs in investment and target 6.9% growth. Forests: Global deforestation fell in 2025, but the Congo Basin saw no comparable slowdown; agriculture, logging and mining remain major drivers of forest loss.

Congo Basin Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but forest loss surged in the Congo Basin. Agriculture and mining remain major drivers, putting pressure on efforts to protect the region’s forests. Youth Business: The EU has opened applications for a competition supporting young Congolese entrepreneurs, with cash prizes of up to 4.5 million CFA francs and six months of coaching for selected founders. Projects in agriculture, clean energy, environmental management and digital technology are eligible. Oil and Public Finances: Congo’s crude averaged $91.51 a barrel in the third quarter, a key figure for government revenue. The World Bank has also listed the country among those facing acute debt vulnerabilities and urged steps to restore debt sustainability. Senate Agenda: The Senate’s budget session is due to open on October 15 with 13 items, including the finance bill and proposed ratification of conventions on higher-education qualifications and organised crime.

Oil and Public Finances: Congo set its third-quarter fiscal oil price at $91.51 a barrel, with an average discount of $6.24. OPEC also reported a 6,000-barrel-a-day rise in the country’s September output. Debt Pressures: The World Bank lists the Republic of Congo among countries facing acute debt vulnerabilities and says measures are needed to restore sustainability. Political Dialogue: Opposition figure Mathias Dzon is urging an inclusive national dialogue, arguing the country faces a deep social crisis. Party Preparations: The ruling Congolese Labour Party trained 62 cadres to pass on organisational skills, while Club 2002-PUR reshuffled its Brazzaville leadership as parties prepare for 2027. Currency Change: Older CFA franc coins lose legal tender status across CEMAC on November 1; holders can exchange them through October 2027.

Environmental Protection: Satellite analysis found 27 oil slicks, spanning 880 square kilometres, in the waters of Conkouati-Douli National Park. The pollution likely came from offshore platforms outside the protected area. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has raised its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to positive and lists the Republic of Congo among eight countries with a positive outlook. Currency Change: Five older CFA franc coin series lose legal tender status across CEMAC on November 1. Holders can exchange them through October 31, 2027, with exchanges shifting to BEAC branches only from August. Political Dialogue: Opposition leader Mathias Dzon is urging an inclusive national dialogue to address what his party calls a deep social crisis, and says it may take legal action. Regional Trade: Congo and Mozambique signed cooperation agreements covering sectors including hydrocarbons, forestry, fisheries and small businesses, as both governments seek to turn longstanding political ties into investment and jobs. 2027 Budget: Congo’s proposed budget includes 680 billion CFA francs in planned investments and projects 6.9% growth, with oil central to its outlook.

US Visa Restrictions: The US State Department says Republic of Congo nationals are among those facing a full suspension of immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance, with limited exceptions. Marine Pollution: A satellite analysis recorded 27 oil slicks covering 880 square kilometres of waters in Conkouati-Douli National Park, likely drifting from offshore platforms; the park is home to whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. Oil Sector: Congolese billionaire Lucien Ebata says Trident OGX aims to lift production from about 2,500 barrels a day to as much as 45,000–50,000, led by development of the Mengo fields. IMF and Budget: Brazzaville and IMF staff have made progress in talks on a potential new financing programme, but no deal has been announced. Congo’s 2027 budget plans 680 billion CFA francs in investment, with a 6.9% growth target; Moody’s has also included the country among those with a positive outlook.