AGP Executive Report

International Sci-Tech Push: Beijing is expanding its cluster for international science and technology bodies, adding service stations, exhibition halls and cross-border workspaces, while more global groups set up headquarters and branches across China, including space and sensing-related organisations. Lesotho Disability Access: Lesotho is strengthening inclusion for persons with disabilities, with police rolling out a Disability Guideline Booklet and stakeholders pushing better training, sign-language support and improved access to education, justice and public services. Lesotho Tech & Energy Ambition: A new report spotlights Lesotho’s $6.2 billion plan blending hydropower and AI to drive growth and modern infrastructure. South Africa Migration Tensions: Anti-immigration protests escalated with door-to-door raids and detentions, raising fears for foreign nationals and triggering fresh displacement. South Africa Telecom Oversight: SA’s communications minister rejects claims that Starlink influenced telecom licensing reforms, while Parliament weighs broader questions about regulating global tech firms. Digital Payments in Africa: BanffPay (Liberia) secured a PSP licence to launch a unified pay-in/pay-out API, aiming to simplify business and consumer digital payments. Citizen Science for Conservation: South Africa’s National Crane Census returns with a WhatsApp reporting system to update crane population and breeding-area data. In-Car Streaming Upgrade: Volvo is rolling out an over-the-air update bringing Apple Music to more than 2-million vehicles, following earlier Gemini AI integration.

Anti-immigration raids: Door-to-door xenophobic protests in South Africa escalated on Thursday, with demonstrators breaking into homes, detaining suspected undocumented migrants and handing them to police—sparking fresh fears and pushing thousands to flee. Regional tech & policy: South Africa’s telecom licensing reform dispute with Starlink deepened after Communications Minister Solly Malatsi rejected claims of outside influence, pointing to earlier policy plans. Lesotho disability inclusion: Lesotho expanded access to services for persons with disabilities, with police rolling out a Disability Guideline Booklet and stakeholders calling for better training, awareness, and support for deafblind and other complex needs. Lesotho AI & hydropower push: A major Lesotho plan frames a $6.2bn bet combining hydropower and AI infrastructure. Digital education: The Digital School initiative from Dubai’s MBRGI is set to reach over 500,000 learners across six African countries including Lesotho, via digital learning spaces and teacher training. Citizen science: South Africa’s National Crane Census returns later this month, using a WhatsApp reporting system to map crane sightings and update conservation research.

AI & Energy Investment: Lesotho is making a surprising push into the global AI race alongside a major hydropower push, with a reported $6.2bn plan tying power generation to smarter systems. Digital Learning for Lesotho: The Dubai-based Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, via The Digital School, says it will support over 500,000 learners across Mauritania, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Angola with digital classrooms, teacher training and job-ready skills over three years. Accessibility in Public Safety: Lesotho’s police are rolling out a new Police Disability Guideline Booklet, urging officers to use it to improve access to justice for deaf, blind and deafblind people. In-Car Tech in the Region: Volvo is bringing Apple Music to more than 2-million vehicles through an over-the-air update, following its earlier Gemini AI rollout. Citizen Science Conservation: South Africa’s crane census is being revived with a WhatsApp reporting system for public sightings, aiming to modernise data for the Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned cranes.

Automotive Streaming Upgrade: Volvo says an over-the-air update will add Apple Music to more than 2-million Volvo cars, starting with models from 2020 onward (EX60 already included), letting drivers sign in with Apple accounts and control music via voice or touchscreen, with up to three months free for eligible customers. Citizen Science for Conservation: South Africa’s Endangered Wildlife Trust and the International Crane Foundation are reviving the National Crane Census (24–27 July), using a WhatsApp reporting system so the public can submit sightings with location data to help track Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned cranes. Local Inclusion in Policing: In Lesotho, police disability guidelines are being rolled out to improve access to justice for people with disabilities, with training aimed at better communication for deaf, blind and deafblind communities. Digital Learning Push for Lesotho: Dubai’s Digital School, backed by MBRGI, is expanding digital education to benefit 500,000+ people across six African countries including Lesotho, focusing on learning spaces, teacher capacity and job-ready skills.

In-Car Streaming Upgrade: Volvo says an over-the-air update will add Apple Music to more than 2-million Volvo cars, with sign-in via Apple account and playlist transfer, rolling out to models from 2020 onwards (EX60 already included). Citizen Science for Biodiversity: South Africa’s Endangered Wildlife Trust and the International Crane Foundation are reviving the National Crane Census for four days in July, using a WhatsApp reporting system to map sightings and update conservation research for the Blue Crane and two other species. Fintech API Push (Regional): Liberia’s BanffPay secured a Payment Service Provider licence, clearing the way for the country’s first unified pay-in/pay-out API to simplify digital payments for businesses and consumers. Digital Learning for Lesotho: Dubai’s MBRGI, via The Digital School, is expanding tech-driven education support to over 500,000 people across six African countries including Lesotho, with school support, teacher training, and job-ready skills. Disability Access (Lesotho): Lesotho continues improving access to services for persons with disabilities, while police disability guidelines are being promoted to help officers better support deaf, blind and deafblind communities.

Citizen Science for Conservation: South Africa’s Endangered Wildlife Trust and the International Crane Foundation are reviving the National Crane Census from 24–27 July, asking the public to submit crane sightings via a WhatsApp reporting system with location data to help update populations and spot breeding gaps for the Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned cranes. Digital Learning Expansion: Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, through The Digital School, is rolling out a three-year push to reach 500,000+ learners across Lesotho, Nigeria, Mauritania, Zambia, Namibia and Angola with digital learning spaces, teacher support and job-ready skills. Disability Access in Public Services: Lesotho is strengthening inclusion for persons with disabilities, with police urging use of a new Police Disability Guideline Booklet to improve access to justice and communication for deaf, blind and deafblind communities. Regional Health Pressure: A SADC TB report says incidence has fallen 26% since 2016, but progress is plateauing and funding cuts plus regional crises threaten 2030 elimination targets, with Lesotho still recording the highest incidence in the region.

Citizen Science for Wildlife: Endangered Wildlife Trust and the International Crane Foundation are reviving South Africa’s national Crane Census over four days in July, using modern tech to estimate crane numbers and track distribution changes for species like the Blue Crane. Telecom Governance: South Africa’s communications minister Solly Malatsi rejected claims that Starlink influenced proposed telecom licensing reforms, pointing to earlier policy plans and election manifesto commitments. Fintech API Push: BanffPay in Liberia secured a Payment Service Provider licence and says it will launch a unified pay-in/pay-out API to simplify digital payments for businesses and consumers. Lesotho Disability Inclusion: In Maseru, Woman Police Constable Nthatuoa Mohlomi urged officers to use the new Police Disability Guideline Booklet to improve access to justice for deaf, blind and other persons with disabilities. Digital Learning for Lesotho: Dubai’s Digital School, via MBRGI, is expanding a tech-driven education push to benefit 500,000+ people across six African countries including Lesotho, with school support, teacher training and job-ready skills.

Disability Access in Focus: Lesotho is pushing inclusion further, with ministries and the Lesotho Mounted Police Service strengthening access to education, justice and public services, while stakeholders flag implementation gaps—plus a new Police Disability Guideline Booklet urges officers to use practical disability communication guidance, including for deaf, blind and deafblind people. Regional Health Watch: The 2025 SADC TB Progress Report says TB incidence fell 26% since 2016, but the region still carries 55% of WHO Africa notifications; Lesotho tops the incidence list at 664 per 100,000, and a “global funding shock” threatens 2030 elimination targets. Tech for Learning at Scale: Dubai’s Digital School, backed by MBRGI, is expanding digital education to benefit 500,000+ people over three years across Lesotho and five other African countries, with teacher support and job-ready skills. Migration Pressure on the Region: South Africa’s migration crisis remains tense after the June 30 activist “deadline,” with experts urging humanitarian help for displaced people and accountability for violence rather than scapegoating migrants. Funding for Innovation: Google Play launched an equity-free Indie Games Fund for Africa worth about $1m, offering mentorship and grants to independent studios across 32 countries, including Lesotho’s region.

Disability Access in Focus: Lesotho is pushing inclusion further, with ministries, the LMPS and disability groups working to improve access to education, justice and public services, while gaps remain in implementation and capacity. Police Disability Guidelines: Woman Police Constable Nthatuoa Mohlomi urged officers to use the new Police Disability Guideline Booklet to better support people with deaf, blind and physical impairments, including sign-language access and plans for Braille information. Digital Learning Push: The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and The Digital School announced a three-year push to support 500,000+ learners across Lesotho and five other African countries, combining digital learning spaces, teacher training and job-ready skills. Math Teaching Boost: About 260 Lesotho mathematics teachers met at NUL for a two-day workshop aimed at improving learner performance using practical teaching strategies and classroom tools. Regional Health Warning: A SADC TB progress report shows Lesotho among the highest-burden countries, with progress plateauing and funding cuts threatening 2030 elimination targets. SADC Migration & Xenophobia Context: South Africa’s migration crisis continues to shape regional policy debates, with calls for humanitarian support and better governance beyond enforcement alone.

Regional Health: The 2025 SADC TB progress report says incidence fell 26% since 2016, but the region still carries 55% of WHO Africa TB notifications, with progress plateauing and a “global funding shock” putting 2030 elimination targets at risk; Lesotho Spotlight: Lesotho is flagged as having the highest TB incidence in the region at 664 cases per 100,000; Disability Inclusion (Lesotho): Lesotho is expanding access to services for persons with disabilities, including police use of a new Disability Guideline Booklet and calls for better training, sign language support, and stronger inclusion in education, justice and communication; Digital Learning (Lesotho + region): Dubai’s Digital School, via MBRGI, is rolling out a three-year digital education push for 500,000+ people across Mauritania, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, with teacher training and job-ready skills; Skills & Teaching (Lesotho): About 260 Lesotho mathematics teachers met at NUL for a workshop focused on improving learner performance through practical teaching tools; Migration Pressure (South Africa): South Africa’s migration crisis remains tense after a June 30 activist deadline, with displaced people still needing humanitarian support and labour-law concerns raised over alleged unfair dismissals of migrant workers.

Disability Access Push in Lesotho: Maseru police have urged officers to use the newly launched Police Disability Guideline Booklet, with training aimed at improving access to justice for deaf, blind and physically impaired people, including better sign-language support and plans for Braille police information. Regional Digital Learning Boost: The Dubai-based Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and The Digital School say a new three-year programme will reach 500,000+ learners across Lesotho, Nigeria, Mauritania, Zambia, Namibia and Angola through digital learning spaces, teacher capacity building and job-ready skills. Math Teaching Upgrade: About 260 Lesotho mathematics teachers gathered at NUL for a professional development workshop focused on strengthening problem-solving and confidence in abstract concepts—framed as key to science, technology, engineering and innovation. SACU Funding Plan: SACU heads of state agreed to set up a regional innovative funding mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital from the Common Revenue Pool to support development projects across member states. South Africa Migration Tensions Spill Over: Coverage across the region highlights ongoing fallout from xenophobia and migration pressure, including calls for humanitarian support and concerns that some employers may exploit the climate to dismiss migrant workers.

Disability Inclusion in Lesotho: Lesotho is pushing to improve access to education, justice, communication and public services for persons with disabilities, with police and disability groups calling for better public awareness and more training—especially for deafblind communities. Digital Learning for 500,000: The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and The Digital School plan a three-year push to support over 500,000 learners across Lesotho, Nigeria and four other African countries, including digital learning spaces, teacher capacity building and job-ready skills. Lesotho Skills in the Classroom: A Lesotho workshop brought together about 260 mathematics teachers to strengthen teaching methods and boost learner performance, linking maths to science, technology and future economic growth. Regional Tech & Funding Signals: SACU leaders agreed to set up a regional innovative funding mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital to back development projects across member states. South Africa Migration Pressure (Regional context): Coverage highlights how xenophobia and migration enforcement debates are reshaping labour and humanitarian needs across the region, with calls for solutions beyond border crackdowns.

Disability Inclusion in Focus: Lesotho is pushing to improve access to education, justice, communication and other public services for persons with disabilities, with police and disability groups flagging gaps in implementation and calling for more training and public awareness—especially for deafblind communities. Digital Learning Push: MBRGI, via The Digital School, is rolling out a three-year digital education initiative targeting 500,000+ people across Lesotho and five other African countries, with plans for digital learning spaces, teacher capacity building and job-ready skills. Math Skills for the Future: Around 260 Lesotho mathematics teachers met at NUL for a professional development workshop aimed at improving learner performance, tackling weak understanding of abstract concepts and problem-solving. Regional Innovation Funding: SACU heads of state agreed to set up a regional innovative funding mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital, to back development projects across member states. Tech & Markets Beyond Borders: Google Play launched an equity-free Indie Games Fund for Africa worth about $1m, supporting small studios with funding plus mentorship to reach global audiences.

Digital Learning Push: Dubai’s Digital School, backed by MBRGI, is expanding a tech-driven education programme to support 500,000+ learners across Lesotho, Nigeria, Mauritania, Zambia, Namibia and Angola over three years, including digital learning spaces, teacher capacity building and job-ready skills. Regional Trade & Innovation Funding: SACU heads of state agreed to create a Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital, drawn from the Common Revenue Pool, to back development projects across member states starting in 2027/28. Migration Pressure in Southern Africa: South Africa’s June 30 “deadline” for undocumented foreigners has passed, but displaced people still need humanitarian support, while labour groups warn some employers are using the xenophobic climate to push through unfair dismissals of migrant workers. Inclusion for Deafblind People: Lesotho’s Deaf blind Association marked Deafblind Awareness Day, calling for better access to education, justice and public services, with police training in sign language highlighted. Skills for Science & Tech: Lesotho mathematics teachers are training at NUL to improve learner performance, with organisers linking strong maths teaching to science, technology and innovation. Tech Sector Funding for Creators: Google Play launched an equity-free Indie Games Fund for Africa (Sh129m), offering mentorship and grants to independent studios across 32 countries, including Kenya.

Deafblind Inclusion Push: The Deaf blind Association of Lesotho marked Deafblind Awareness Day with calls for stronger inclusion and protection, urging government and partners to remove barriers to education, justice, communication and public services, while police said officers are being trained in sign language to improve access to reporting and investigations. Migration Management Update: South Africa’s Cabinet praised enforcement around peaceful protests on 30 June and reviewed progress on a “Comprehensive Approach” to migration, including more labour inspections, faster deportation processing via specialised immigration courts, and quicker support for repatriation. Digital Learning at Scale: MBRGI and The Digital School announced a three-year push to support over 500,000 learners across Mauritania, Nigeria, Lesotho, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, combining digital learning spaces, teacher capacity building and job-ready skills. Regional Tech & Games Funding: Google Play launched an Indie Games Fund for Africa, putting Sh129 million into equity-free support plus mentorship for independent studios across 32 countries, including Kenya. SACU Innovation Funding: SACU Heads of State agreed to set up a Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital, aimed at development projects across member states. Skills for Better Teaching: Lesotho’s mathematics teachers gathered for professional development to improve learner performance, focusing on problem solving, analytical thinking and confidence in maths.

Digital Learning Push: Dubai’s Digital School, via MBRGI, is rolling out a three-year programme to support 500,000+ learners across Lesotho, Mauritania, Nigeria, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, with school support, digital learning spaces, teacher training and job-ready skills. Regional Trade & Innovation Finance: SACU Heads of State agreed to set up a Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with an initial N$5 billion capital from the Common Revenue Pool to back development projects across member states. Skills for STEM in Lesotho: Around 260 Lesotho maths teachers met at NUL for a professional development workshop focused on improving learner performance in abstract concepts and problem-solving. Agriculture Tech Access: Lesotho Post Bank’s tractor financing roadshow in Berea says the government-backed scheme is still underused, with only 76 farmers supported so far. Migration Pressure in the Region: Coverage highlights how South Africa’s xenophobia and migration enforcement are colliding with labour needs and border realities, including reports of migrant workers facing alleged unfair dismissals. STEM & Research Pathways: AIMS-Cameroon graduation news points to growing regional capacity in climate science, data science and related research tracks.