AGP Executive Report

Waste & Safety Crisis in Conakry: A deadly landfill collapse in Conakry’s Dar-es-Salam/Gbessia area killed 30 people after heavy overnight rains triggered a mound of rubbish to bury nearby tents and shacks; six were seriously injured and 16 others hurt as rescue teams used excavators and the Prime Minister visited the scene, less than a week after authorities said the site was unsafe and planned closure/relocation. Mining & Exports Disruption: Reuters reports Rusal’s rail train derailed in Guinea’s Dubreka prefecture, halting alumina exports and slowing production at the Friguia refinery, with repairs and impact assessment under way. Banking Talent Pipeline: UBA inducted 374 young professionals from its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme (GMAP), including 29 from Guinea and other African markets, bringing total graduates to over 5,000. Regional Security & Business Risk: Ghana warned pilgrims against overland travel to Senegal due to attacks on convoy routes into Dakar, highlighting how insecurity is disrupting movement across West African corridors. Public Health Policy: ECOWAS tax officials met in Conakry to discuss harmonising excise duties on tobacco, aiming to protect health while boosting government revenue.

Disaster & Urban Safety: A deadly landslide struck Guinea’s capital Conakry after torrential overnight rain, collapsing a massive mound at the Dar Es Salam landfill (Gbessia commune) onto nearby tents and shacks. Casualties & Response: Guinea’s government says 30 people died, with six seriously injured and 16 others lightly hurt; rescue teams used excavators and other equipment, and Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah visited the site. Policy & Accountability: The dump was slated for closure and relocation less than a week earlier due to safety risks during the rainy season, raising questions about enforcement and how remaining residents were handled. Banking & Jobs: UBA equipped 374 young professionals across eight African countries (including 29 from Guinea) through its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme, reinforcing its focus on talent development and customer service. Regional Business Context: Separate market coverage highlights renewed attention on Guinea-linked Simandou iron ore supply dynamics and how new tonnage could affect pricing and sector sentiment.

Disaster Watch (Conakry): A landfill landslide in Conakry’s Gbessia commune killed 30 people after heavy overnight rains collapsed a mound of waste onto nearby tents and shacks; six were seriously injured and 16 lightly hurt, and rescue teams are still clearing debris. Public Safety & Urban Planning: The dump—set to close and be relocated outside the capital due to rainy-season risks—highlights how weak waste management and overcrowded settlements keep turning storms into tragedies. Macroeconomics (Regional spillover): Guinea-linked coverage also points to broader West African cost pressures, with reporting noting food inflation remains a key strain even when headline inflation eases. Banking & Skills (Africa-wide): UBA graduated 374 young professionals from its GMAP talent programme, including 29 from Guinea operations, underscoring ongoing investment in local financial-sector capacity.

Maritime Borders: Guinea has started work to delimit its maritime borders, aiming to boost surveillance and protect fisheries and mineral resources, while strengthening security for coastal communities and compiling national geospatial data. Ebola & Health Financing: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, with UN-linked figures putting deaths above 2,500 and warning that response funds could run dry within weeks, as the epidemic spreads beyond current containment capacity. IMF & Fiscal Space: A new IMF-focused analysis highlights how countries with lower IMF credit outstanding can gain more policy flexibility, noting Guinea’s August staff-level agreement for a fresh $439m IMF facility. Insurance Sector: Nigeria’s NAICOM issued licences to seven more verified insurance firms under NIIRA 2025 minimum capital rules, pushing for stronger governance and policyholder protection—an indirect signal for regional financial-sector tightening. Food Systems Investment: Rwanda will host the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum in late August, with a focus on turning food-system commitments into investment, jobs, and resilience.

Guinea Maritime Borders: Conakry has started work to delimit Guinea’s maritime borders, aiming to boost surveillance and protect fisheries and mineral resources, while also strengthening security for coastal communities and compiling national geospatial data. Guinea–Vietnam Trade Push: Guinea’s planning and finance ministries signed an MoU with Vietnam in Hanoi to deepen cooperation on planning and development, with bilateral trade reported at $233.16m in 2025. IMF Finance Context for Guinea: A new analysis notes Guinea has a fresh $439m staff-level IMF facility agreed in August, highlighting how countries with lower IMF exposure can gain more policy flexibility. Regional Health Shock (Ebola): The DRC’s Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, with UN and Africa CDC warnings that funds may run dry and that the epidemic could escalate further—an issue that can spill into West Africa’s health and economic stability. Insurance Sector Signal: Guinea Insurance appears among newly licensed firms in Nigeria’s NAICOM update, a reminder of how capital rules are reshaping regional financial services.

IMF & Fiscal Space: Guinea secured a staff-level agreement in August on a fresh $439m IMF facility, a move that could give the government more room to manage spending and reforms while reducing pressure from IMF repayment schedules. Maritime Borders & Security: Guinea has started work to delimit its maritime borders, aiming to improve surveillance and protect fisheries and mineral resources, while strengthening security for coastal communities. Insurance Sector: Guinea Insurance Plc is among firms newly licensed under Nigeria’s NIIRA 2025 minimum capital push, highlighting how regional financial regulation is tightening and expanding. Ebola Funding Crunch (Regional Risk): The DRC Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, with warnings that donor funding is running short—an economic and operational risk for West and Central Africa. Trade & Investment Links: Guinea and Vietnam signed an MoU to deepen cooperation in planning, development and investment, with bilateral trade reported at $233.16m in 2025. Food Systems Momentum: Rwanda is hosting the 20th Africa Food Systems Forum, spotlighting investment and jobs in agri-food value chains across the continent.

Ebola Crisis Escalates in DRC: The UN reports more than 2,500 deaths as Ebola spreads to an area “bigger than France,” with healthcare workers increasingly falling ill and facilities facing attacks; IMF Relief Fund Under Strain: A separate report warns the IMF’s emergency Ebola support is running dry just as the outbreak worsens; Guinea Maritime Borders: Guinea has started work to delimit its maritime borders to boost surveillance and protect fisheries and mineral resources, with plans to compile national geospatial data and consult neighbors; Guinea-Vietnam Trade Push: Guinea and Vietnam signed an MoU in Hanoi to deepen planning and development cooperation, building on $233.16m trade in 2025; Insurance Sector Update (Nigeria, regional relevance): NAICOM issued new licences to seven verified insurers meeting NIIRA 2025 minimum capital rules, including Guinea Insurance Plc, signaling continued regulatory tightening across West Africa.

Maritime Borders & Security: Guinea has started work to delimit its maritime borders, aiming to strengthen surveillance over fisheries and mineral resources and improve coastal community security, with the National Boundary Commission set to compile national geospatial data and guide diplomatic consultations with neighboring states. Insurance Sector Boost: Guinea Insurance Plc appears among firms highlighted in regional regulatory moves as NAICOM in Nigeria issues licences to seven additional verified insurers to meet minimum capital requirements—an indicator of tighter supervision and capital discipline across West Africa’s financial sector. Ebola Risk for Business Continuity: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, with WHO and Africa CDC warning of escalating severity and strain on health systems; for Guinea-based operators, this raises the stakes for cross-border travel, logistics planning, and workforce health protocols. Trade & Investment Linkages: Guinea and Vietnam signed a cooperation MOU in Hanoi to expand planning, development and investment collaboration, with bilateral trade reported at $233.16m in 2025—useful context for Guinea’s trade diversification. Energy & Critical Minerals Context: Global rare-earth funding and mining market shifts continue to reshape investor appetite for Africa’s minerals, while Guinea’s own maritime and resource governance moves could affect future project bankability.

Maritime Borders: Guinea has started work to delimit its maritime borders, aiming to strengthen surveillance and protect fisheries and mineral resources along its 300+ km coastline. Bilateral Investment Push: Guinea and Vietnam signed an MoU in Hanoi to expand cooperation in planning, development and investment, with bilateral trade reported at $233.16m in 2025. Insurance Sector Move: Guinea Insurance has completed a capital raise as it targets expansion and market leadership after recapitalisation steps. Mining & Finance: Guinea is reported to be taking a 50% stake in a new gold venture, while Resolute and Nimba Mining also set up a Guinea-focused gold exploration JV. Critical Minerals Watch: A US DFC commitment of $62.8m to rare-earth projects across several African countries highlights the race for supply beyond China. Health Alert (Regional): Ebola in DR Congo is worsening fast, with fatality rates above 46% and WHO warning it could escalate further. Food Security (Regional): Katsina State in Nigeria flagged off 90,000 bags of grain for vulnerable households, underscoring wider West Africa pressure on food prices.

Mining & Investment: Guinea is set to take a 50% stake in a new gold venture, a move that could deepen local participation in the country’s fast-growing extractives sector. Insurance Sector: Guinea Insurance has completed a capital raise and is positioning itself for expansion after recapitalisation, while NAICOM reports more firms meeting minimum capital rules—good news for market stability and competition. Energy & Commodities (Regional spillover): Rio Tinto’s latest results highlight how copper strength is lifting earnings even as iron-ore pricing stays pressured, with Simandou ramp-up in Guinea flagged as a supply factor that could weigh on seaborne benchmarks. Trade & Infrastructure (Regional finance): ECOWAS-linked EBID approved over $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector development—key inputs for business growth and cross-border commerce. Maritime Security: A Nigerian-built security vessel programme (SEEPCO’s “Kali 3”) underscores rising investment in maritime protection around West Africa’s energy assets. Health Risk Watch: The DRC Ebola outbreak is accelerating fast, with WHO warning it could become the worst on record—an external risk that can disrupt regional travel and commerce.

Guinea Mining & Investment: Guinea is set to deepen state participation in gold with a new 50-50 venture, Landaya Gold, between Nimba Mining Gold and Australia’s Resolute Mining, aimed at exploring and potentially developing gold-bearing areas under the Simandou 2040 program. Regional Development Finance: The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved more than $500m for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector growth. Insurance Sector (Guinea-linked): Guinea Insurance completed a capital raise as part of the wider insurance recapitalisation push, with NAICOM clearing more firms to meet minimum capital requirements. Global Risk Watch (Ebola): The DRC Ebola outbreak has surpassed 5,000 confirmed cases and is being described by WHO as spreading at an unprecedented pace, raising cross-border health and logistics concerns. Markets & Commodities (Simandou angle): BMI (Fitch Solutions) revised its iron-ore price forecast downward, citing weak Chinese demand, while pointing to supply support from Guinea’s Simandou project.

Guinea Mining & Investment: Guinea is set to deepen state participation in gold through a new 50-50 venture, Landaya Gold, between Nimba Mining Gold and Australia’s Resolute Mining, aimed at exploring and potentially developing gold projects under Guinea’s Simandou 2040 push. Insurance Sector: Guinea Insurance has completed a capital raise and is positioning itself for market leadership after recapitalisation moves. Regional Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $500m in financing for projects across Guinea, Ghana and Sierra Leone, targeting roads, healthcare, renewable energy and private-sector development. Ebola Watch (DRC): The WHO Emergency Committee is meeting as the DRC Ebola outbreak accelerates, with insecurity and weak infrastructure cited as key risks. Macroeconomic Pressure: Currency weakness remains a concern across Africa, with several countries needing over 2,000 units per US dollar, raising import costs and debt burdens. Food Inflation Context: Food prices are rising even where headline inflation eases, a reminder of how household costs can stay under pressure.

Guinea-Linked Finance & Trade: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group are partnering to roll out digital supply chain finance (reverse factoring and factoring) across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, Togo and Guinea, aiming to plug the SME working-capital gap. Insurance Sector: NAICOM’s recapitalisation push in Nigeria cleared the final seven firms, bringing confirmed operators to 48 and lifting the industry’s capital base to about N810bn—a signal for regional insurers watching compliance costs and expansion capacity. Regional Tax Policy: ECOWAS met in Conakry, Guinea to review its tobacco excise directive, focusing on new nicotine products and illicit trade—important for fiscal planning and enforcement across West Africa. Ebola Watch (Health with Business Impact): WHO’s emergency committee is assessing the fast-spreading DR Congo Ebola outbreak; confirmed cases and deaths are rising amid insecurity and weak logistics, raising risks for travel, supply chains and donor funding. Visa & Mobility: The US realigned routine visa services in Nigeria to regional hubs effective Aug 1, affecting non-immigrant applicants—another reminder of how policy shifts can disrupt cross-border business travel.

Guinea-Russia Ties: Guinea has confirmed it will attend the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow in October, with Conakry signaling deeper cooperation beyond diplomacy into logistics, mineral exploration and port-linked trade. Mining & Investment: Resolute Mining and Guinea’s Nimba Mining Gold have set up a joint venture (Landaya Gold) to develop gold projects in Guinea, with the JV incorporated in Conakry and designed to diversify Guinea’s bauxite-heavy economy. Insurance Sector: Guinea Insurance has completed a capital raise and says it is positioning for expansion and market leadership after recapitalisation steps. Regional Business Policy (ECOWAS): ECOWAS held a consultative meeting in Abuja on the regional tourism business framework, bringing together tourism bodies from across West Africa including Guinea. Food Inflation Pressure (Regional Watch): Nigeria’s headline inflation eased to 15.43% in July, but food inflation jumped to 20.31%, a reminder that household costs can stay high even when headline numbers improve. Public Health Risk (Regional Watch): The DRC Ebola outbreak has become the second-deadliest on record, with deaths surpassing the 2018-2020 peak—an ongoing shock to regional stability and health systems.

Guinea–Russia Diplomacy & Logistics: Guinea has confirmed it will attend the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow in October, with Conakry signaling deeper cooperation beyond ceremony—spanning economic and technological ties, and growing military logistics and mineral exploration links. Mining & Investment: Resolute Mining and Guinea’s Nimba Mining Gold have set up a 50-50 joint venture, Landaya Gold, to develop gold projects in Guinea, with incorporation steps underway and a mandate to explore and develop identified gold-bearing areas. Regional Policy in Conakry: ECOWAS held a three-day meeting in Conakry to review the 2017 excise duties directive on tobacco, focusing on new nicotine products and illicit trade, with WHO, World Bank and tax bodies supporting. Insurance Sector Boost: Guinea Insurance says it has completed its recapitalisation, clearing regulatory requirements and positioning the firm to expand underwriting and business opportunities with a stronger capital base. Trade/Finance Context: While not Guinea-specific, the week’s wider regional economic coverage included Nigeria’s inflation easing to 15.43% in July—useful background for West African demand and cost pressures.

Mining Deal: Resolute Mining and Nimba Mining Gold (NMG) have signed the articles of association for Landaya Gold SAS, a 50-50 joint venture to develop Guinea gold projects; incorporation is underway and Landaya will assess, explore and develop identified gold-bearing areas, with offices in Conakry. Regional Skills & Jobs: ECOWAS ran a Conakry TVET capacity-building workshop (Aug 11–13) to strengthen TVET governance and improve training quality for employability and entrepreneurship. Infrastructure & Trade Links: Sierra Leone’s SLRA opened bids for a 39-km Buedu–Koindu highway connecting Guinea and Liberia, financed by the AfDB and aimed at boosting cross-border trade and regional integration. West Africa Development Finance: ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) approved over $510m in new packages; Guinea gets about $155m for two road corridors, plus funding for a 200-bed regional hospital in Siguiri and support for the Tinkisso II hydropower project. Insurance Sector Momentum: Guinea Insurance Plc says it has completed recapitalisation after NAICOM verification, strengthening its capital base to compete more aggressively in Nigeria’s insurance market. Ebola Watch (Regional Risk): DRC’s Ebola outbreak has reached 2,325 deaths and 4,945 confirmed cases, the deadliest in the country’s history—an ongoing health risk for the region.