AGP Executive Report

Desert Food Security: A new fish farming project in the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf is raising red and black tilapia in artificial ponds, helping supply fresh seafood locally in the Sahara and easing families’ long trips to Mauritania for fish. Regional Education Push: Dakar will host the first Yidan Prize Conference in Africa (June 29–July 1), with Mauritania among the education ministers expected to attend, spotlighting how education can drive development. Sahara Climate Pressure: Striking photos from the Sahel show sands encroaching on oases, with farmers using palm-frond barriers to slow dune movement and protect fragile water-dependent ecosystems. Mauritania Tourism Angle: A feature argues Mauritania could become a major “authentic tourism” destination, pointing to the Eye of Africa, desert cities, and growing support for more sustainable travel. Eclipse Watch (Northwest Africa): A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 will be visible as a partial eclipse across Mauritania and neighboring countries, drawing attention to viewing plans. West Africa Fisheries Enforcement: West African governments and partners are stepping up action against illegal fishing, citing huge regional losses and pushing stronger monitoring and enforcement under the Dakar Declaration.

Climate Resilience & Water: A photo essay on “Saving the Sahara’s oases” shows how rising temperatures are pushing sand into oasis farms across the Sahel, with farmers in places like Mao and Kaou in Chad using palm-frond barriers and solar pumps—an urgent warning for Mauritania’s own oasis communities and wildlife. Solar Power Risk: A new study flags that climate change may synchronize low-output solar days across African power pools, threatening grid reliability; it points to big increases in synchronized shortfalls in West and Central Africa—relevant for Mauritania’s energy planning as renewables expand. Sustainable Fisheries: West Africa is stepping up action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, with regional losses estimated at over US$2.3 billion a year and new coordination efforts including the Dakar Declaration and joint enforcement involving Mauritania. Mauritania in the Spotlight: A piece argues Mauritania could become a major tourism destination thanks to the Eye of Africa, desert cities, improved security, and growing government support—raising the stakes for sustainable, climate-smart tourism growth. Diplomacy: The UAE received credentials from Mauritania’s new ambassador, with both sides stressing cooperation aimed at sustainable development.

Sahara Climate Watch: Striking photos highlight sand encroaching on Sahara oases, showing how rising temperatures and shifting dunes are shrinking fragile ecosystems that farmers and wildlife depend on. Sahel Resilience: A photo essay on “Saving the Sahara’s oases” describes local efforts to slow desertification, including barriers made from palm fronds and solar-powered water pumps in Sahel communities stretching from Mauritania into the wider region. Solar Power Risk: A new study warns Africa’s regional power pools may face growing climate-driven synchronization of solar low-output days, threatening grid reliability as emissions rise. Sustainable Tourism Push (Mauritania): Mauritania is being pitched as one of the world’s last “authentic” tourism frontiers, with the Eye of Africa and desert heritage positioned for sustainable growth—if development stays careful and climate-smart.

Sustainable Tourism Push: Mauritania is being pitched as one of the world’s last “authentic” tourism frontiers, banking on the Eye of Africa, ancient desert cities, improved security, and government reforms to grow tourism in a more sustainable way. Climate & Water Stress in the Sahara: A photo essay highlights how rising temperatures are shrinking Sahara oases, with sand encroaching and farmers using palm-frond barriers and solar-powered pumps to protect livelihoods and wildlife. Solar Power Risk for the Region: A new study warns that climate change could increasingly synchronize low solar output across African power pools, threatening grid resilience when multiple countries struggle at once. West Africa Fisheries Crackdown: West Africa is stepping up action against illegal fishing, with regional coordination efforts and a Dakar Declaration targeting IUU fishing that costs the region billions annually—Mauritania included in joint enforcement operations. Mauritania in the Sky: A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 will also bring a partial eclipse view across Northwest Africa, including Mauritania.

Climate & Water: A photo essay from Chad highlights how rising temperatures are pushing sand dunes into fragile Sahara oases, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and wildlife; communities are trying to slow desertification with palm-frond barriers and solar-powered pumps. Solar Power Resilience: A new study warns that climate change is increasing the chance that multiple African countries will suffer low solar output at the same time, raising risks for regional power pools like West and Central Africa. Mauritania in the Sky: A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 will be visible as a partial eclipse across Northwest Africa, including Mauritania and the Western Sahara—an event millions can watch in some form. Regional Fisheries: West Africa is stepping up action against illegal fishing, with annual losses estimated above US$2.3 billion and new regional coordination efforts aimed at stronger enforcement. Energy & Environment Watch: While not climate-focused, offshore oil exploration deals and uranium projects across the region keep raising the stakes for environmental safeguards and long-term sustainability.

Solar Eclipse Watch (Mauritania & West Africa): A total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 will be visible as a partial eclipse across Northwest Africa, including Mauritania and the Western Sahara—eclipse chasers in Europe may also catch a dramatic partial sunset. Sahara Oases Under Pressure: Photos from Chad’s Sahel show how rising temperatures and encroaching sand dunes are shrinking oases, threatening farmers and wildlife; communities are trying to slow dunes with palm-frond barriers and solar-powered pumps. Desertification & Climate Resilience: The same oasis story links to the Great Green Wall effort across the Sahel, highlighting how water access and land protection are becoming more urgent. West Africa Anti-IUU Fishing: West African states and partners stepped up action against illegal fishing in H1 2026, citing huge regional losses and pushing stronger patrols, shared monitoring, and the Dakar Declaration to curb unreported and unregulated catches. Climate Risk to Power Grids: A new study warns that climate change may synchronize low-solar output across African power pools, raising the odds that one country can’t always cover another’s shortfall.

Sahara Oases Under Pressure: Striking photos from Chad show sand dunes encroaching on oases as rising temperatures shrink vegetation and threaten farmers and wildlife; communities are trying to slow the advance with palm-frond barriers and solar-powered pumps, part of the wider Great Green Wall push against desertification. Sahel Security Spillover: A major escalation in Mali’s security crisis—coordinated attacks across multiple regions and the killing of a senior defense figure—raises fears of a wider West Africa destabilization, with calls for a return to democracy to prevent the spread of militant safe havens. Solar Power Pool Risk: A new study warns climate change could synchronize low solar output across African power pools, making it harder for one country’s surplus to cover another’s deficit—especially in West and Central Africa. Maghreb AI Push (Including Mauritania): Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Mauritania are expanding AI education and research, with Algeria leading via university-linked start-up clusters aimed at turning research into businesses. West Africa Tackles Illegal Fishing: Regional action against IUU fishing intensified in H1 2026, building on the Dakar Declaration with more patrols, shared monitoring and stronger enforcement to curb major economic losses.

Sahara Oases Under Threat: Striking photos from Chad show how rising temperatures are pushing sand dunes into oases, shrinking vegetation and endangering farmers, crops and local wildlife; communities are trying to slow the advance with palm-frond barriers and solar-powered water pumps, part of wider Sahel efforts like the Great Green Wall. Climate Risk for Power in Africa: A new study warns that climate change is increasing the chance that multiple countries’ solar output drops at the same time, stressing regional power pools that rely on independent surpluses and deficits. West Africa Tackles Illegal Fishing: Regional action against IUU fishing is intensifying in 2026, with the Dakar Declaration boosting cooperation, shared monitoring and enforcement, and involving artisanal fishing communities alongside larger operators. Maghreb AI Push (Including Mauritania): Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya and Mauritania are expanding AI education and research, with Algeria leading via university-linked start-up clusters aimed at turning research into businesses. Great Green Wall Progress Check: Coverage highlights the shift from a “tree wall” to a mosaic of land restoration across Sahel countries, with goals for 2030 tied to land recovery, carbon capture and green jobs.

Solar Power & Climate Resilience: A new study warns Africa’s regional power pools may face rising “synchronized” solar low-output days as climate change links weather extremes across countries, threatening the assumption that one nation’s surplus can reliably cover another’s deficit. West Africa Fisheries: West Africa steps up action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, citing huge annual losses (over US$2.3bn) and highlighting the Dakar Declaration’s push for stronger regional coordination, shared monitoring and tougher enforcement, including roles for artisanal fishers. Great Green Wall: Progress on the Great Green Wall is slower than hoped, but the initiative has shifted from a “tree wall” to a mosaic of restored land across Sahel countries—aiming by 2030 to restore 100 million hectares, capture 250 million tons of carbon and create 10 million green jobs, with Mauritania among the pioneering states. Mauritania in the Diplomatic Spotlight: Mauritania’s new ambassador to the UAE shares a message of expanding ties for sustainable development, as the UAE reiterates commitment to cooperation across mutual sectors. Maghreb Tech Push: Maghreb countries, including Mauritania, are making steady progress on AI education and research, with Algeria highlighted for building university-linked AI and cybersecurity clusters to speed up commercialization. Energy & Investment Signals: While not Mauritania-specific, regional interest in energy projects remains high—Gambia signs an offshore Block A1 deal with Eni, and Tanzania’s stalled uranium project gains momentum—showing how investor attention is shifting across Africa’s resource sectors.

Climate Resilience & Energy Security: A new study warns Africa’s regional power pools may face far more frequent synchronized solar “low-output” days under climate change, threatening the assumption that one country’s surplus can reliably cover another’s deficit. Sahel & Desertification: The Great Green Wall continues shifting from a tree “wall” to a mosaic of restored landscapes across 11 Sahel nations, aiming by 2030 to restore 100 million hectares, capture 250 million tons of carbon, and create green jobs. Urban Sustainability (Mauritania): Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia have wrapped up a Women and Sustainable Cities Programme that trained women to shape climate resilience and green infrastructure in local planning. Water & Food Security: The UN says 24 million people across the Sahel need help as violence and climate shocks worsen displacement, with floods, droughts, and desertification hitting livelihoods. Governance & Trade: West Africa steps up action against illegal fishing, while customs training under the EU-WCO rules-of-origin programme targets better enforcement across several countries.

West Africa IUU Fishing Crackdown: West African states and partners stepped up action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, citing losses of over US$2.3bn a year and rising pressure on fish stocks and food security, with the Dakar Declaration pushing stronger regional coordination, shared monitoring and enforcement. Climate & Power Resilience: A new study warns that climate change is increasingly synchronizing solar low-output days across African power pools, threatening the assumption that one country’s surplus can reliably cover another’s deficit—an issue for grid stability in the region. Mauritania’s Green Urban Work: Mauritania (along with Morocco and Tunisia) wrapped up a Women and Sustainable Cities programme that trained women to shape climate resilience and green infrastructure in cities through participatory planning and local partnerships. Great Green Wall Progress: The Great Green Wall initiative continues evolving from tree planting to a “mosaic” of restored landscapes across Sahel countries, with Mauritania among the pioneering nations and 2030 goals tied to land restoration, carbon capture and green jobs. Migration Policy Watch: The EU’s Migration Pact is set to take effect June 12, with critics warning about human-rights risks from externalizing asylum processing—relevant for regional flows that include Mauritania. Diplomacy: Mauritania’s ambassador to the UAE received credentials copy in Abu Dhabi, with both sides stressing cooperation aimed at sustainable development.

Nuclear Energy & Climate Risk: Tanzania’s long-delayed Mkuju River uranium project is back in focus after President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Russia, with officials saying implementation is moving toward full-scale development—an effort shaped by past uranium price shocks after Fukushima and now boosted by renewed nuclear demand. Offshore Oil & Governance: The Gambia signed an offshore Block A1 exploration deal with Eni, with the public urging caution after earlier licence changes and stalled promises, while officials say the agreement should restart seismic and drilling. Solar Power Under Climate Change: A new study warns Africa’s regional power pools may struggle as climate change synchronizes solar low-output days across countries, raising the risk that one member’s surplus won’t reliably cover another’s deficit. Fighting Illegal Fishing: West Africa stepped up action against IUU fishing in H1 2026, including the Dakar Declaration and coordinated patrols involving Senegal, Mauritania, The Gambia and Cape Verde, as losses are estimated at over US$2.3 billion a year. Sahel Humanitarian Pressure: UN OCHA says about 24 million people need aid across the Sahel as violence and climate shocks worsen conditions, with funding at its lowest level in a decade. Mauritania Migration Rescue: Mauritanian coastguard rescued 110 migrants off Nouakchott after a boat engine broke down, highlighting the ongoing dangers of irregular Atlantic crossings. Desertification & Land Restoration: The Great Green Wall continues to expand beyond a “tree wall” into a mosaic of restored landscapes across Sahel countries, aiming for major land and carbon targets by 2030. Women & Sustainable Cities: Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia concluded a Women and Sustainable Cities Programme that trained women to shape climate resilience and green urban planning through local partnerships.

Illegal Fishing Crackdown: West Africa is stepping up action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, with losses estimated at over US$2.3 billion a year and new momentum from the Dakar Declaration, plus joint patrols involving Senegal, Mauritania, The Gambia and Cape Verde. Climate Risk for Power Grids: A new study warns that climate change could synchronize solar power shortfalls across Africa’s regional power pools, threatening reliability as low-output days rise sharply under higher emissions. Sahel Humanitarian Pressure: The UN says about 24 million people need help across the Sahel as violence, displacement and climate shocks worsen, with floods, droughts and desertification hitting livelihoods while funding remains low. Women in Sustainable Cities: Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia have wrapped up a Women and Sustainable Cities Programme that trained women to shape climate-resilient, greener urban planning and policy. Migration at Sea (Nouakchott): Mauritania’s coastguard rescued 110 West African migrants after their boat broke down off Nouakchott, underscoring the ongoing dangers of irregular Atlantic crossings. Trade & Forced Labour: The US is considering a 12.5% tariff on imports from Mauritania and seven other African countries over forced-labour compliance concerns, adding pressure to regional trade.

Illegal Fishing Crackdown: West Africa is stepping up action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, with losses estimated at over US$2.3 billion a year and new momentum from the Dakar Declaration calling for stronger regional coordination, shared monitoring and tougher enforcement. Sahel Humanitarian Strain: The UN warns about 24 million people needing aid across the Sahel as violence, displacement and climate shocks worsen, with floods and droughts hitting livelihoods and humanitarian funding still far below needs. Climate Risk for Power Grids: A new study flags rising climate-driven synchronization of solar “low-output” days, threatening the resilience of Africa’s regional power pools—an issue that matters for energy planning across the region. Clean Cooking Push: The AfDB announced a new clean cooking program to reach about one million households and cut millions of tonnes of CO2, aiming to reduce climate and health burdens from dirty fuels. Mauritania Migration Rescue: Mauritanian coastguards rescued 110 West African migrants off Nouakchott after a boat engine failed, highlighting the ongoing dangers of irregular Atlantic crossings. Trade Pressure on Forced Labour: The US is considering a 12.5% tariff on imports from Mauritania and seven other African countries over forced-labour compliance concerns, adding new pressure to regional trade.

Sahel Humanitarian Crisis: The UN warns that about 24 million people across the Sahel need urgent aid as violence, displacement, and climate shocks worsen conditions, with funding at just 29% of needs so far. Climate Risk to Power Systems: A new study flags rising climate-driven synchronization of solar low-output days across Africa’s power pools, threatening grid resilience as emissions rise. Mauritania Migration Rescue: Mauritanian coastguards rescued 110 West African migrants off Nouakchott after a boat engine failed in rough weather, underscoring the deadly push toward Europe. Clean Cooking Push: The AfDB announced a Clean Cooking Program to reach about one million households and cut roughly 5 million tonnes of CO2. West Africa Anti-IUU Fishing: Regional efforts accelerated in H1 2026, with the Dakar Declaration boosting patrols, cooperation, and community participation against illegal fishing. Trade Pressure on Mauritania: The US is considering a 12.5% tariff on imports from Mauritania and seven other African countries over forced-labour compliance concerns.

Mauritania-UAE Diplomacy: Mauritania’s ambassador to the UAE, Abdallahi Bah Nagi Kebd, received a credentials copy handover in Abu Dhabi, with both sides stressing deeper cooperation tied to sustainable development. Climate Risk for Power: A new study warns that climate change could increasingly synchronize solar power shortfalls across Africa’s regional grids, threatening reliability for pools that currently assume failures happen independently. Sahel Humanitarian Pressure: The UN says about 24 million people need aid across the Sahel as violence, displacement, and climate shocks worsen conditions, with funding at its lowest level in a decade. Migration at Sea (Mauritania): Mauritania’s coastguard rescued 110 West African migrants after a boat engine broke down off Nouakchott, highlighting the ongoing dangers of irregular Atlantic crossings. Desert Dust Health: Sahara dust is expected to reach eastern Cuba, bringing hazy skies and drier air, with health advice for people with respiratory issues. Clean Cooking Push: The AfDB announced a new clean cooking program to reach about one million households and cut millions of tonnes of CO2. Great Green Wall Progress: Coverage highlights Mauritania and other Sahel countries advancing the Great Green Wall “mosaic” approach to restore degraded lands and support livelihoods. Women & Sustainable Cities: A women-led urban sustainability programme has concluded in Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia, with results focused on green infrastructure and inclusive planning. U.S. Tariffs Linked to Forced Labour: The U.S. proposes a 12.5% tariff on imports from Mauritania and seven other African countries over forced-labour compliance concerns, adding new trade pressure.