AGP Executive Report

Diplomacy: India has appointed Vinay Kumar as its next Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, with Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu named Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire; both are expected to take up their posts shortly. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List, banning 154 airlines from operating in European airspace; the list still includes carriers certified in São Tomé and Príncipe due to inadequate national safety oversight. Sports & Youth: ANOCA’s Africa Schools Games team, led by João Da Costa Manuel of São Tomé and Príncipe, is in Nigeria as Abuja 2027 preparations continue, with Nigeria reiterating its commitment to a world-class grassroots event. Tech & Access: Google expanded “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among the supported African locales. Energy & Investment: Petrobras says it is growing internationally, including recent acquisitions in São Tomé and Príncipe as it seeks reserves beyond Brazil. Environment: New global climate reporting shows May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, reinforcing concerns about accelerating heat impacts. Culture & Nature: A travel feature spotlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s endemic birdlife and island ecosystems, highlighting the country’s unique conservation value.

Diplomatic Appointments: India has named Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu as its next ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and Vinay Kumar as its next ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, with both expected to take up their posts soon. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List, banning 154 airlines from European skies; the list includes carriers from several countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, and adds Air Express Algeria. Sports & Youth: Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to host the 2027 Africa Schools Games in Abuja, with an ANOCA coordination team led by João Da Costa Manuel from São Tomé and Príncipe inspecting venues and preparations. Tech & Access: Google expanded “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among the supported African locales. Environment & Tourism Context: A separate report notes São Tomé and Príncipe’s unique endemic birdlife, while another story highlights how African football events are being used to promote tourism abroad.

Diplomacy: India has named new envoys, with Vinay Kumar appointed as its next Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu set for Cote d’Ivoire. Aviation Safety: The EU Air Safety List update keeps 154 airlines banned from EU skies; it also notes São Tomé and Príncipe among countries whose carriers face EU bans due to safety oversight gaps. Tech & Access: Google’s Ask Gemini in Chrome is rolling out across more African markets, including São Tomé and Príncipe, expanding AI search help for users. Sports & Youth: Preparations for the Abuja 2027 Africa Schools Games continue, with an ANOCA coordination team led by João Da Costa Manuel from São Tomé and Príncipe meeting Nigeria’s sports authorities. Environment & Climate: New global climate reporting says May 2026 was the second-warmest May on record, reinforcing concerns about accelerating heat.

EU Aviation Safety Update: The European Commission’s 48th EU Air Safety List now bans 154 airlines from flying in EU airspace, including carriers certified in São Tomé and Príncipe, as regulators cite failures to meet international safety standards. Diplomacy: India has named new envoys covering the region, including Vinay Kumar as the next Ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe. Sports (Youth Games): Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to host the 2027 Africa Schools Games in Abuja, with ANOCA’s coordination team led by João Da Costa Manuel from São Tomé and Príncipe inspecting venues and preparations. Tech (AI in browsers): Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among the broader rollout locales across Africa. Energy/Trade: Petrobras says it is growing internationally, including recent acquisitions in São Tomé and Príncipe, as it looks to add reserves beyond Brazil. Environment: New global climate reporting flags May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, with implications for heat and weather patterns.

EU Aviation Safety: The European Commission updated its EU Air Safety List, banning 154 airlines from flying in EU airspace (including overflying) over safety concerns; the list now includes carriers from countries such as São Tomé and Príncipe among others, while Air Express Algeria was added after “serious safety deficiencies.” Diplomacy: India named new envoys, appointing Vinay Kumar as its next ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (and Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu to Côte d’Ivoire). Sports (Africa Schools Games): Nigeria reiterated its commitment to host the Abuja 2027 Africa Schools Games, with an ANOCA coordination team led by João Da Costa Manuel of São Tomé and Príncipe inspecting venues and preparations. Trade & Customs: Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe joined Training of Trainers workshops to build local capacity for applying preferential trade rules. Tech (Gemini in Chrome): Google expanded Ask Gemini in Chrome to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, part of a wider rollout across African markets that also includes São Tomé and Príncipe.

Sports Diplomacy: ANOCA’s Africa Schools Games coordination team, led by João Da Costa Manuel of São Tomé and Príncipe, is in Abuja inspecting venues and preparations for the 2027 event, as Nigeria’s National Sports Commission reiterates its push for a “world-class” grassroots tournament. Diplomatic Appointments: India has named Vinay Kumar as its next ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, with Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu appointed ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List, banning 154 airlines; the list also notes that carriers certified in São Tomé and Príncipe are among those banned from European skies due to inadequate safety oversight. Trade Facilitation: With WCO support, Customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe joined training to build local expertise on rules of origin for preferential trade agreements. Environment & Nature: A feature highlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s endemic birdlife, shaped by the islands’ volcanic isolation.

Diplomatic Appointments: India has named Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu as its next Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and Vinay Kumar as its next Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, with both expected to take up their posts shortly. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List, banning 154 airlines from European skies; the revision removed Kyrgyz carriers after safety progress and added Air Express Algeria over serious safety concerns, with São Tomé and Príncipe among countries whose certified airlines are banned in Europe due to inadequate oversight. Trade & Training: Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe joined Training of Trainers workshops, building local expert pools to help other stakeholders apply preferential trade rules correctly. Maritime Security: Indonesia says it intercepted illegal fishing linked to a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag, highlighting how flag states can be used in transnational crime. Sports & Spotlight: São Tomé and Príncipe is listed among Portuguese-speaking countries in FIFA ranking coverage ahead of World Cup 2026, while the broader Portuguese-speaking sports community continues to draw attention.

EU Air Safety List Update: The European Commission’s 48th revision keeps 154 airlines banned from flying in EU airspace, including São Tomé and Príncipe among the countries whose certified carriers are barred due to inadequate safety oversight; Kyrgyzstan’s carriers were removed after major safety progress, while Air Express Algeria was added after “serious safety concerns.” Diplomatic Appointments: India named Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu as its next ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and Vinay Kumar as its next ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe, with both expected to take up their posts soon. Energy & Investment Watch: Petrobras says it is expanding internationally, including recent acquisitions in São Tomé and Príncipe, as it pursues new offshore reserves beyond Brazil. Environment & Climate: New global climate reporting flags May 2026 as the second-warmest May on record, with NOAA and Copernicus data pointing to continued long-term warming. Trade Capacity Building: With WCO support, customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe joined training to strengthen rules-of-origin expertise for preferential trade agreements.

Diplomacy: India has named new envoys, with Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu appointed Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and Vinay Kumar appointed Ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe, with both expected to take up their posts soon. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List, adding Air Express Algeria and removing Kyrgyzstan’s carriers; the list now covers 154 airlines, and the EU notes that carriers failing safety standards can be banned from operating in European skies. Climate Watch: New global weather data says May 2026 was the world’s second-warmest May on record, with NOAA and NASA/Copernicus reporting record-high heat across parts of the planet. Local Life & Nature: A new feature spotlights São Tomé and Príncipe’s rare endemic birdlife, shaped by the islands’ long isolation and lush volcanic forests. Trade & Customs Capacity: WCO support is helping build rules-of-origin training pools, with Customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe among those trained to pass skills on to peers.

Diplomacy: India has named Vinay Kumar as its next Ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe, with Lakshmanan Ramesh Babu appointed Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire; both are expected to take up their posts shortly. Trade & Customs Capacity: Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, Customs officials from São Tomé and Príncipe joined Training of Trainers workshops to build local expertise on rules of origin for preferential trade agreements. Aviation Safety: The EU updated its Air Safety List—Kyrgyzstan’s certified carriers were removed after safety oversight improvements, while Air Express Algeria was added and can no longer operate in the EU. Education & Portuguese-Speaking Links: The AULP annual meeting, co-hosted by the University of Macau, will run in Macao from 15–17 June, focusing on international university collaboration and the Portuguese language as a cultural bridge.

Trade & Customs Capacity: The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme says Customs officials from Nigeria, Comoros, Morocco, The Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe have completed Training of Trainers workshops, building local expert pools to help businesses apply preferential trade rules. Diplomacy: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with counterparts including Sao Tome and Principe’s, discussing ways to deepen cooperation across economy, defense and maritime security. Health & Cancer Care: Merck Foundation reports continued cancer training support across Africa, including scholarships and capacity-building for oncology teams in multiple countries. Governance & Courts: An Afrobarometer survey ranks Nigeria among the worst for access to justice and confidence in courts, with Sao Tome and Principe listed among the few countries scoring even lower. Sports Pressure: Malawi’s national team coach and Scorchers coach face mounting criticism after poor results, including a loss to Sao Tome and Principe. Freedom Rankings: The Atlantic Council Freedom Index places Sao Tome and Principe among Africa’s freest countries.

Cancer Care Training: Merck Foundation is marking World Cancer Day 2026 by expanding its Cancer Access Program across Africa, funding about 269 one-year clinical training scholarships and post-graduate cancer oncology diplomas and master’s programmes to grow local oncology specialists and care teams in countries including São Tomé and Príncipe. Diplomacy: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held bilateral talks with counterparts from 11 African countries, including São Tomé and Príncipe, focusing on deeper cooperation in economy, defense, maritime security, and development. Freedom Ranking: Ghana placed 4th in Africa and 46th globally in the Atlantic Council Freedom Index, while São Tomé and Príncipe ranked 5th in Africa with a freedom score of 73.0. Maritime Security & Illicit Fishing: Indonesia says it disrupted illegal fishing by targeting 1,210 vessels since 2021, citing a case involving a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag concealed in a hidden compartment. Governance & Justice: An Afrobarometer survey ranks Nigeria among the worst for access to justice and public trust in courts; São Tomé and Príncipe is listed among countries with even lower results.

Korea-Africa Diplomacy: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held one-on-one talks with counterparts from 11 African countries in Seoul, including São Tomé and Príncipe, agreeing to expand cooperation on economy, defense, maritime security, development and coordination at the international level. World Cup Group Watch: Tunisia qualified for the 2026 finals and will face Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands in Group play, with the squad set to aim for a first-ever group-stage breakthrough. Justice at Courts: A new Afrobarometer survey says Nigeria is among the worst in Africa on access to justice and trust in courts, with São Tomé and Príncipe also among the lowest-ranked countries on several indicators. Maritime Security & Trade: Indonesia reported action against illegal fishing vessels, including one attempt involving a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag, highlighting links between illegal fishing and broader transnational crimes. Finance Oversight: African banking supervisors met in Yaounde to discuss how regulators can better handle emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity and climate risks to protect financial stability. Energy & Oil: Galp is exploring offshore acreage in Equatorial Guinea, with the company already active as a partner near São Tomé and Príncipe. Freedom Ranking: Ghana was ranked Africa’s 4th freest country, with São Tomé and Príncipe listed among the top 10 on the same index. Travel Community: A “Most Traveled People” gathering in Portugal highlighted a visitor who completed a world-travel milestone after a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Banking Stability Talks: Central African banking supervisors met in Yaounde with BEAC and COBAC hosting, as BEAC governor Yvon Sana Bangui urged regulators to better handle emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity, climate threats, and cross-border banking groups. Startup & Trade Links: São Tomé and Príncipe is included in the 929 Challenge network, now tied to AIE Expo 2026 in Macau, with a new acceleration push aimed at helping startups reach the Greater Bay Area market. Justice Access Survey: Afrobarometer reports Nigeria among the worst in Africa for court trust and judicial fairness, with only 28% confident ordinary people can get justice. Maritime Security & Illegal Fishing: Indonesia says it stopped illegal fishing linked to a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag, citing 1,210 vessels targeted since 2021 and potential losses avoided. Diplomacy: South Korea’s foreign minister held one-on-one talks with counterparts including São Tomé and Príncipe, discussing expanded cooperation on economy, defense, maritime security, and development. Children’s Nutrition: A Catholic Church official in Angola and São Tomé warns food insecurity is still leaving children hungry at school, urging government commitments to be implemented in daily life.

Banking Stability Talks: BEAC and COBAC hosted a CABS conference in Yaounde, with supervisors urged to upgrade skills to handle emerging risks like digital fraud, cybersecurity, AI, stablecoins, and cross-border banking groups. Justice Access Survey: Afrobarometer reports Nigeria among the five worst African countries for court justice, with only 28% saying ordinary people can get justice, and 59% expecting unfair outcomes. Maritime Security & Illicit Fishing: Indonesia says it disrupted illegal fishing by 1,210 vessels since 2021, citing a case involving a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag and hidden compartments. Korea-Africa Diplomacy: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with counterparts including São Tomé and Príncipe, focusing on expanding cooperation in economy, defense, maritime security, and development. World Cup Group Context: Tunisia’s World Cup draw includes São Tomé and Príncipe in qualifying, while broader tournament previews highlight tough Group F competition for the Netherlands. Regional Finance Appointment: Afreximbank named Peter Adeshola Olowononi director for Southern Africa, previously covering client relations across Anglophone West Africa including São Tomé and Príncipe.

World Cup Focus: The Netherlands head into Group F as favorites to advance, but face a tough mix of Japan, Sweden and Tunisia under Ronald Koeman, with Virgil van Dijk and Frenkie de Jong seen as key to their push for a deeper run. Portuguese Culture in São Tomé & Príncipe: A concert by brothers António and Fradique Mendes Ferreira—born in São João dos Angolares, São Tomé and Príncipe—will be broadcast in Portuguese cinemas, extending their “Origin Tour Stadium” live show reach. Justice and Courts: A new Afrobarometer survey says Nigeria is among Africa’s worst performers on access to justice and public trust in courts, with only São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Comoros and Guinea scoring worse on some indicators. Maritime Security: Indonesia says it has acted against 1,210 illegal-fishing vessels since 2021, citing a case involving a vessel flying the São Tomé and Príncipe flag. Diplomacy: South Korea’s foreign minister held talks with counterparts including São Tomé and Príncipe’s, discussing expanded cooperation across economy, defense and maritime security.