AGP Executive Report

Malaria & Climate Risk: A new Nature study says climate change is “moving” malaria—slightly increasing childhood malaria overall, with rising risk projected for southern and East Africa while today’s hottest areas may cool enough to reduce transmission. Food Security Pressure: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022–2025, but Africa still carries the heaviest burden (about 20% food insecure in 2025), with conflict, aid cuts, and climate shocks holding back production. Health Workforce Support: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it has deployed doctors and nurses to Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, with returning volunteers briefing officials after 24-month assignments. Regional Public Health Leadership: ECOWAS RCCE Network elected Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President and Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana as Vice President, aiming to strengthen risk communication and community engagement across West Africa. Humanitarian Safety at Sea: Reports describe Russian strikes damaging Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo ships near Odesa, with crew injuries and deaths—raising concerns for maritime safety and global food supply.

Climate & Malaria: A new study in Nature says climate change is slightly increasing childhood malaria overall, but it will “move” risk—rising in southern and East Africa while easing in today’s hottest hotspots as temperatures become too harsh for mosquitoes. Food & Health Security: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022–2025, yet Africa still carries the heaviest burden (about 20% food insecure in 2025), with conflict, aid cuts, and climate shocks blamed. Soil, Nutrition & Community Resilience: A spotlight on Amílcar Cabral’s agronomy ideas links restoring soils to human freedom—an approach that fits today’s push for healthier farming systems and stronger rural livelihoods. Regional Health Leadership: ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network elects a new vice president, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão named President—aimed at improving trust and safer health responses across West Africa. Health Workforce Support: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it deployed doctors and nurses to Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, and Nigeria was voted into the UN TOSSD Steering Committee.

Malaria & Climate Risk: A new Nature study says climate change has slightly increased childhood malaria overall, but it will “move” the burden—raising risk in southern and East Africa while easing it in today’s hottest hotspots as temperatures become too harsh for mosquitoes. Food Security & Health: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022–2025, yet Africa still lags, with 20% of Africans facing hunger in 2025—fueling ongoing nutrition and health pressure. Soil, Farming & Health: A new discussion of Amílcar Cabral’s agronomy ideas links restoring soils to human freedom, echoing wider calls to strengthen soil fertility and diversify diets rather than relying mainly on imported inputs. Regional Health Leadership: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Habsil Lansana was elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President—aiming to build community trust for healthier, safer responses. ECOWAS Peacekeeping (Health-adjacent): Nigeria deployed 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau under ECOWAS stabilization, with a focus on discipline and zero tolerance for abuse and substance misuse.

Climate & Malaria: A new Nature study says climate change is “moving” malaria: it has slightly increased childhood malaria overall, but rising temperatures may reduce risk in today’s hottest hotspots while increasing it in southern and East Africa—meaning new areas could see more children getting sick. Food Security & Nutrition: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022 to 2025, but Africa still lags, with 20% of Africans facing hunger in 2025; the report points to conflict, aid cuts, and climate shocks. Regional Health Capacity: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it has deployed over 10,000 medical professionals to 40+ countries, including doctors and nurses who recently returned after 24-month volunteer assignments in Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. Health & Community Trust: ECOWAS RCCE Network leadership was reshuffled, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão elected President and Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana elected Vice President, aiming to strengthen risk communication and community engagement across West Africa. Public Health Context: A separate piece on drug and substance abuse frames it as a growing public health and governance crisis hitting youth hardest.

Climate & Malaria: A new Nature study finds climate change has slightly increased childhood malaria overall, but it’s “moving” risk: rising temperatures may worsen malaria in southern and East Africa while easing it in today’s hottest hotspots where mosquitoes struggle. Food Security & Health: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022–2025, yet Africa still lags, with 20% of Africans facing hunger in 2025—fueling nutrition and health pressures. Soil, Farming & Livelihoods: Coverage highlights Amílcar Cabral’s agronomy ideas, linking restored soils to stronger rural livelihoods and broader freedom—an angle relevant to Guinea-Bissau’s health through food systems. Regional Health Workforce: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it deployed doctors and nurses to Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, and that returning volunteers were part of a wider UN SDG support push. ECOWAS Peacekeeping (Health Context): Nigeria announced troop rotations and a fresh deployment to Guinea-Bissau under ECOWAS, underscoring stability efforts that can affect access to care.

Malaria & Climate Risk: A new Nature study finds climate change is “moving” malaria: it has slightly increased risk overall in sub-Saharan children, but rising temperatures may reduce today’s hottest hotspots while increasing risk in southern and East Africa—meaning prevention plans need to shift, not just scale up. Food Security & Soil Health: The UN FAO reports global hunger fell by about 43 million people from 2022–2025, yet Africa still lags, with 20% of Africans facing hunger in 2025; the report points to conflict, aid cuts, and climate shocks, and urges soil-fertility and diversified farming approaches. Regional Health Workforce: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it has sent doctors and nurses to Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, with returning volunteers briefing officials after 24-month assignments—highlighting ongoing cross-border support for health services. Community Trust & Health Communication: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana was elected vice president of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as president—aiming to strengthen public trust and healthier, safer communities across West Africa. Public Health Context: A piece linking Amílcar Cabral’s soil-and-livelihood ideas to today’s challenges underscores how restoring soils and rural systems can support long-term health and resilience.

ECOWAS Peacekeeping Update: Nigeria has rotated its troops in Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission, with Lt. Col. Afam Junior Chidi taking over from Lt. Col. Bibode Clarke after the Aug. 3 handover in Bissau. Regional Health Workforce Link: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) says 14 medical professionals recently returned after 24-month volunteer assignments in Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, as Nigeria highlights its role in UN sustainable development support. Malaria & Climate Risk: A new Nature study warns climate change may increase childhood malaria risk in southern and East Africa by 2050, shifting burdens away from today’s hotspots. Health & Environment: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV, targeting mangrove restoration along Senegal–Guinea-Bissau–Sierra Leone coastal corridors to support community resilience and livelihoods. Public Health Governance: ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network elected a new executive, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President and Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana as Vice President, aiming to strengthen trust-building for healthier communities across West Africa.

Wildlife & Health: Researchers filmed wild chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park repeatedly eating fermented African breadfruit containing ethanol, with follow-up work suggesting their bodies absorb and process the alcohol—an unusual look at how natural “booze” can become part of diet. Food Security: A UN FAO report says global hunger fell for a third straight year, but Africa still carries the heaviest burden, with 20% of Africans facing hunger in 2025 amid aid cuts, conflict, and climate shocks. Malaria & Climate: New Nature research warns climate change is “moving” malaria risk—raising childhood malaria risk in southern and East Africa while easing pressure in today’s hottest areas, meaning prevention plans must shift with the changing map. Regional Health Capacity: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps returned 14 medical professionals from Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, and Nigeria’s NTAC leadership says the programme is being recognized in UN sustainable development tracking. ECOWAS Public Health Comms: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana Habsil was elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão named President. Environment & Community Resilience: Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV was launched for Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone, aiming to restore coastal wetlands and protect livelihoods.

ECOWAS Health Support: Nigeria says it has deployed 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission, aimed at supporting security sector reforms and stability after political crises—an indirect but important factor for health service continuity. Medical Technical Aid: Nigeria’s NTAC reports sending 10,000+ professionals to 40+ countries since 1987, including doctors and nurses deployed to Guinea-Bissau for 24-month assignments, with Nigeria also securing a UN TOSSD steering committee seat tied to its SDG support. Malaria Risk Watch: A Nature study warns climate change is “moving” malaria—slightly increasing childhood malaria overall, with rising risk projected for southern and East Africa while some current hotspots may cool. Regional Health Systems & Trust: ECOWAS RCCE Network leadership was reshuffled, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President and Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana as Vice President, focusing on community trust and risk communication. Coastal Health Link: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV, targeting mangrove restoration across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone to protect ecosystems and livelihoods that support community resilience.

ECOWAS Health & Capacity: Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps says it has deployed 10,000+ professionals to 40+ countries since 1987, including doctors and nurses serving two-year assignments in partner states like Guinea-Bissau. Regional Peacekeeping: Nigeria has also deployed 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission, with a focus on security sector reforms and political stability—an indirect but important factor for health service continuity. Malaria & Climate Risk: New research warns climate change is “moving” malaria risk across Africa: childhood malaria may rise in southern and East Africa by 2050, while some current hotspots could see reduced risk as conditions become too hot for mosquitoes. Health Systems & Community Trust: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Lansana has been elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President—aimed at strengthening community trust for healthier, safer outcomes across West Africa. Environment for Health: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV, targeting mangrove restoration along Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone coastal corridors to support livelihoods and resilience.

Forced begging and child exploitation: In Senegal’s Saint-Louis, human rights groups say very young Qur’anic students (talibés) as young as five are pushed onto the streets to beg for food and money for marabouts, with one local NGO founder calling it “not about the Qur’an – it’s about the money.” Malaria and climate risk: A Nature study finds climate change is “moving” childhood malaria risk—slightly increasing it overall, with rising temperatures expected to raise risk in southern and East Africa while easing pressure in today’s hottest hotspots. Regional security and health system strain: Nigeria has deployed 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau under an ECOWAS stabilization mission aimed at supporting security sector reforms and political stability after repeated crises—an environment that can affect public health delivery. Regional public health communication leadership: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Habsil Lansana was elected vice president of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão named president, aiming to strengthen community trust for healthier, safer outcomes. Migration and child vulnerability: Reporting from the Canary Islands highlights the dangers faced by unaccompanied children on Atlantic routes, including one former Gambian teen now studying to become a nurse.

ECOWAS Security Update: Nigeria has deployed 86 troops to Guinea-Bissau under the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission, with the contingent arriving to support security sector reforms and help preserve political stability after years of crises. Malaria & Climate: A new Nature study says climate change is “moving” malaria risk across Africa—slightly increasing childhood malaria overall, easing pressure in today’s hottest hotspots while raising risk in southern and East Africa where communities may have less experience tackling the disease. Regional Health Communication: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Habsil Lansana was elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network, with Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão named President—aiming to strengthen community trust for healthier, safer outcomes across West Africa. Coastal Health & Environment: Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV was launched in Freetown, focusing on mangrove restoration in Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone to protect coastal ecosystems and support community resilience.

ECOWAS Public Health Communication: Sierra Leone’s Patrick Habsil Lansana was elected Vice President of the ECOWAS Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Network, joining a new executive that includes Guinea-Bissau’s Da Silva Estevão as President—aimed at strengthening regional collaboration to build community trust for healthier, safer, more resilient West Africa. Climate & Malaria Risk: A new Nature study finds climate change has slightly increased malaria overall in sub-Saharan Africa’s children, with future warming expected to raise risk in southern and East Africa while reducing it in today’s hottest areas. Mangroves for Health & Livelihoods: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, focusing on mangrove restoration along Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone coastal corridors to protect ecosystems and support community resilience. Health System Strengthening (Regional Policy): Nigeria and the African Union Commission reaffirmed commitments to reforms, peace, and development priorities, including strengthening Africa’s health systems and reducing dependence on external assistance. Women’s Health & Rights: Coverage highlights ongoing pressure around female genital mutilation (FGM), with progress in some places facing legal and social backlash.

Climate & Health: A new Nature study finds climate change is slightly increasing malaria overall, but also shifting risk—warming could reduce malaria in today’s hottest hotspots while raising it in southern and East Africa, with some West African countries projected to see case declines. Health Systems & Cooperation: Nigeria and the African Union Commission reaffirmed plans to strengthen AU reforms, peace, and development, explicitly calling for stronger Africa’s health systems and less reliance on external help for public health challenges. Environment, Health Link: Wetlands International launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV in Freetown, targeting mangrove restoration across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone to protect coastal ecosystems and support community resilience. Migration & Child Safety: Reporting from Spain’s Canary Islands highlights the deadly risks for unaccompanied children on Atlantic routes, including one in five deaths on the crossing route. Water & Health Access: A UN-Water/Our World in Data snapshot shows Guinea-Bissau has about 24% access to safely managed drinking water, underscoring ongoing contamination and service gaps.

Climate & Health: A new Nature study says climate change is slightly increasing malaria overall in sub-Saharan Africa, but it may also shift risk—reducing cases in today’s hottest hotspots while raising risk in southern and East Africa. Regional Environment & Community Health: Wetlands International has launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV, focusing on mangrove restoration across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone, aiming to protect coastal ecosystems and support community resilience. Water Security: UN-Water data shows Iraq has about 60% access to safely managed drinking water, while Guinea-Bissau sits far lower at 24%, highlighting ongoing gaps in safe water at home. Women’s Health & Rights: In The Gambia, civil society is again mobilizing against efforts to overturn the 2015 FGM ban, as harassment rises and the Supreme Court is expected to rule soon. Health Systems Strengthening: Nigeria and the African Union reaffirmed plans to strengthen Africa’s health systems and reduce reliance on external help for public health challenges.

Medical Access & Humanitarian Release: Guinea-Bissau opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira has been allowed to leave prison and travel to Portugal for medical treatment after a court decision, with his family citing health needs and noting a 90-day medical leave period. Health Systems & Self-Reliance: Nigeria and the African Union reaffirmed plans to strengthen Africa’s health systems and reduce dependence on external assistance for public health challenges. Malaria & Climate Risk: A new study finds climate change has slightly reduced malaria spread in today’s hottest hotspots, but may raise risk in southern and East Africa as temperatures shift. Women’s Health & Rights: In The Gambia, civil society is again mobilizing against efforts to overturn the national ban on female genital mutilation, after harassment of survivors intensified as the Supreme Court case proceeds. Water Security: New data shows Guinea-Bissau has about 24% access to safely managed drinking water, highlighting major gaps in safe water and sanitation. Regional Environment (Health Link): Mangrove restoration efforts are expanding across Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone under a regional mangrove corridor plan, aiming to protect ecosystems and community resilience.