AGP Executive Report

Solar Power: Mali’s cabinet has approved reserving 211.93 hectares in Gongasso for a planned 100-megawatt solar plant with 100 MWh of battery storage and a grid connection. The land decision is not a construction start; financing and a commissioning date remain unknown. Lithium: Kodal Minerals, already producing lithium in Mali through a joint venture, plans to expand across West Africa and has agreed to acquire up to an 80% stake in a Ghanaian exploration project. Telecoms: IQSTEL has closed an initial financing tranche toward its planned acquisition of a controlling stake in Ultranet, a profitable telecom company operating in six West African markets, including Mali.

Battery Minerals: Kodal Minerals plans to expand beyond its producing lithium joint venture in Mali, agreeing to acquire up to 80% of Ghana’s Asamankese exploration project. Lithium is key to rechargeable batteries and energy storage. West African Telecoms: IQSTEL has closed the first financing tranche for its planned 51% acquisition of Ultranet, a profitable telecom platform operating in six markets, including Mali. Ultranet reported $130.9 million in 2025 revenue. Technology Cooperation: The Russia–Africa summit in Moscow on October 28–29 is set to discuss technology transfer, digital transformation and AI, alongside education and industrial development; Mali’s transitional president attended earlier this month.

Telecoms: IQSTEL has closed the first financing tranche for its planned 51% stake in Ultranet, a profitable telecom platform operating in Mali and five other West African markets. Ultranet reported $130.9 million in 2025 revenue, highlighting the scale of regional mobile services. Science & Research: Geological systems identified in Mali are offering clues for natural-hydrogen exploration, though researchers still need to determine whether deposits can be commercially developed. Cybersecurity: A warning about fitness-app location sharing recalls how researchers used public data to identify US troops in Mali and Niger in 2018, underscoring the risks of exposing precise movement data.

Mali Mining: PDI Gold shares climbed 7.2% Monday despite gold falling below US$4,000 an ounce. The West African producer operates Mali’s Nampala mine, but reported no new company news behind the rise. Digital Safety: A renewed warning about fitness apps highlights the risks of public location data: researchers previously used such data to identify US troops in Mali and Niger.

Mining Outlook: Allied Gold, which operates assets in Mali, is forecasting further growth as its Ethiopian mine ramps up. The company’s outlook offers a regional snapshot of mining investment, though its headline production target is driven by Ethiopia. Regional Markets: The BRVM says deeper integration of West African stock markets needs shared rules as well as connected trading systems. Mali is among the eight UEMOA countries served by the exchange. Climate-Smart Farming: Mali joined regional farmers, researchers and businesses at Togo’s SIALO fair, where discussions covered climate information, resilient farming, water management and improved seeds.

AI and Local Innovation: Nigeria’s technology chief says homegrown innovators are building practical tools for banking and agriculture, while regulators are showing global tech firms they must answer to national laws. Cybersecurity: African ports face growing cyber risks as they digitise operations; Nigeria’s ports authority chief is urging stronger safeguards and regional cooperation to protect trade. Mali and Drone Warfare: A report says Ukrainian operatives have trained Tuareg separatists in Mali to use drones, with remote guidance relayed over the internet and radio. Off-Grid Solar: South Sudan is expanding decentralised solar power for community centres and essential services, opening opportunities in installation, maintenance and equipment.

AI and Digital Rights: Luminate CEO Melanie Hui says Nigeria’s action against Meta shows African regulators can hold global tech firms accountable. She also points to locally built tools supporting rural banking and reducing crop losses. Engineering Safety: Burkina Faso’s civil engineers are urging stronger licensing and professional standards, warning that unqualified practitioners put bridges, roads and buildings at risk. Cybersecurity: West and Central African port officials warn that growing use of AI and connected systems could expose cargo operations and trade to cyberattacks. Drone Technology: Reports say Ukrainian operatives have trained Tuareg separatists in Mali to use drones, highlighting the technology’s growing role in the Sahel conflict.

Information Security: A new analysis says foreign information manipulation is targeting West Africa, including Mali, by exploiting real news and online channels to deepen divisions. Cybersecurity: African port leaders warn that cyberattacks on increasingly digital operations could disrupt cargo and trade, calling for stronger safeguards and regional cooperation. AI and Digital Rights: Nigeria’s action against Meta is cited as an example of African regulators challenging global tech firms, as debate grows over fair ownership of AI. Climate-Smart Agriculture: A regional fair in Togo, attended by Malian participants, is showcasing climate-resilient farming and the use of climate information to help protect crops and livestock.

Electric Mobility: Spiro has launched its first 100 electric motorcycles in Ghana, pairing the bikes with battery swapping to cut riders’ costs and charging downtime. Port Cybersecurity: A West African ports association chief warned that cyberattacks could disrupt cargo and trade as ports adopt more digital systems and AI, urging stronger safeguards and regional cooperation. AI in Mali: The Catholic Diocese of Mali plans a charter on responsible AI use, bringing local institutions into the debate over how the technology should be used. Climate-Smart Farming: Mali joined farmers, researchers and agribusinesses at Togo’s regional agriculture fair, where discussions included climate information and other tools to help farming adapt to drought and floods. Digital Regulation: Nigeria’s action against Meta was cited as an example of African regulators challenging powerful global tech companies.

Cybersecurity: African port authorities are being urged to strengthen defenses as cyberattacks threaten cargo operations and trade. Nigeria’s ports chief warned that growing use of AI and connected systems can expose critical infrastructure to disruption. AI Governance: Nigeria’s action against Meta is being cited as proof that African regulators can challenge global tech firms, while a Mali Catholic diocese is planning a charter for responsible AI use. Agritech: A regional agriculture fair in Togo is bringing together researchers and producers, including participants from Mali, to discuss climate-resilient farming and the role of technology and climate information.

Drone Safety: Human Rights Watch says an apparent military drone strike killed eight civilians and injured at least six in Mali’s Mopti region on September 16, highlighting the risks of armed drone use. Regional Energy: A Mali-linked consortium has signed a preliminary agreement for a proposed $28 billion petroleum hub in Ghana, including a 300,000-barrel-a-day refinery; financing and other hurdles remain before construction can begin. Responsible AI: The Catholic Diocese in Mali plans to issue a charter promoting responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Energy Investment: A consortium including Malian investors has signed a US$28 billion memorandum for a refinery and petrochemical complex in Ghana. The project still needs financing and other preparations before construction can proceed. Mining and Batteries: Mali’s Kodal Minerals reported a fifth shipment of spodumene concentrate, a lithium source used in battery supply chains, as global shipments of the mineral continue to grow. Digital Infrastructure: A submarine cable has arrived in Benghazi, Libya, but it is not yet operational. Its owner, O3, says it aims to extend a planned regional fiber network into Mali and other Sahel countries. AI Guidance: A Catholic diocese in Mali is planning a charter on responsible artificial intelligence, bringing local faith institutions into debates over how the technology should be used.

Regional Energy: A UAE-led consortium that includes Malian investors signed an MoU for a proposed $28 billion refinery and petrochemical hub in Ghana. Financing is not yet secured, and construction is conditional on preparatory work. Digital Infrastructure: Libya’s O3 says it wants to extend a planned fiber network into Mali, but the cross-border links are not yet operational. Artificial Intelligence: Mali’s Catholic Diocese plans a charter to encourage responsible use of AI. Science Education: Russia says its university quotas included students from Mali among about 5,500 Africans starting studies this September; agriculture, engineering and medicine were among the most popular fields overall.

Industrial Investment: A consortium including Malian investors has signed a US$28 billion agreement to develop a refinery, petrochemical plants and storage facilities in Ghana. Construction is expected to start in 2027, creating potential roles for engineers and technical workers. Regional Connectivity: Libya’s O3 announced the arrival of the Medusa submarine cable in Benghazi and outlined plans for a wider fibre network that could extend to Mali; those cross-border links remain proposals, not operating connections. Science Education: Russia says about 5,500 African students, including Malians, began university studies under government quotas this year, with agriculture, mechanical engineering and medicine among the fields. Responsible AI: Mali’s Catholic Diocese is planning a charter to guide responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Energy & Industry: A consortium including Malian investors signed a US$28 billion agreement to develop a refinery, petrochemical plants and storage facilities in Ghana. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, pending preparations. Digital Infrastructure: Libya’s O3 Group announced the arrival of the Medusa submarine cable in Benghazi and plans for a fiber network extending to Mali. The cross-border links remain proposals, not active connections. Battery Minerals: Mali’s spodumene exports are part of a fast-growing global trade in lithium-bearing ore used for batteries; Kodal Minerals recently confirmed another shipment from the country. Responsible AI: The Catholic Diocese in Mali plans to create a charter guiding responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Skills & Research: Russia says about 5,500 students from African countries, including Mali, began university studies under government quotas this September. Agriculture, engineering and medicine are among the most popular fields. Digital Infrastructure: Libya’s O3 Group says it plans a 16,000-kilometre fibre network and a data centre, with a future cross-border reach that includes Mali; the projects are plans, not operating links. Responsible AI: Mali’s Catholic Diocese plans a charter on responsible artificial intelligence, a local effort to address how the technology should be used.