AGP Executive Report

FIFA Governance Shock: Gianni Infantino has apologized for mistakes tied to the abandoned “FIFA Forward Enterprise” plan to sell stakes in World Cup commercial rights, but FIFA senior management backed him after an emergency meeting in Rabat—keeping his presidency on track while the fallout continues. CAF Political Backing: Multiple African football leaders, including CAF Vice President Fouzi Lekjaa and FIFA Council members from Egypt, Niger and Mauritania, publicly supported Infantino and welcomed the pullback, ahead of a CAF executive committee discussion on whether to endorse him for re-election. US Travel Compliance: The US made its permanent visa bond programme effective 3 August 2026, raising the maximum refundable bond to $20,000 for applicants from Nigeria, Senegal and 28 other African countries (including Mauritania), with consular officers deciding case-by-case. Mauritania Credit Signal: Kinross’ Mauritania-linked operations got a boost as S&P upgraded Kinross to “BBB” with a stable outlook, citing improved cash flow and debt reduction. Trade Awareness Gap: Afrobarometer finds only 13% of Africans have heard of AfCFTA, even as support for easier free trade rises to 62%. Climate & Food Security: WFP warns El Niño could push tens of millions more into acute hunger by 2027 and is scaling early action across East and Southern Africa. Digital Public Infrastructure: UNDP is moving blockchain from pilots to production DPI, focusing on governance, interoperability and trust.

FIFA Leadership Shake-up: Gianni Infantino apologised for errors tied to the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan to sell stakes in World Cup competition revenues to private investors, but will stay in office after FIFA senior management backed him following an emergency meeting in Rabat. CAF Political Backing: Reuters reports several influential African football leaders—including Mauritania’s Ahmed Yhaya—have voiced support for Infantino as CAF weighs the issue ahead of its executive committee meeting, highlighting Africa’s voting weight and FIFA development funding. Migration Policy Push: Italy is set to propose EU-funded migrant return hubs outside the bloc at an emergency EU interior ministers meeting after the Ceuta crisis, with a preliminary list including Mauritania; Armenia says it has not received any proposal. Food Security Warning: The UN World Food Programme warns El Niño could worsen food insecurity for 18+ million people in East and Southern Africa, with projections of 49 million more facing acute hunger by end-2027. Mauritania Macro Snapshot: Mauritania’s economy grew 4% in 2025, inflation averaged 1.6%, and exports rose on early GTA natural gas shipments, while reserves and public finances improved.

Food Security Watch: WFP warns El Niño could worsen hunger across East and Southern Africa, with more than 18 million people at risk and an extra 49 million potentially pushed into acute food insecurity by end-2027, as drought, floods and heat disrupt planting and harvest cycles. Mauritania Macro Update: Mauritania’s economy showed resilience in 2025: GDP grew 4%, inflation averaged 1.6%, reserves rose to $2.21bn, and exports jumped with early GTA natural gas shipments helping narrow the trade deficit. Migration Policy Spillover: Italy is pushing EU-funded “return hubs” outside the bloc after the Ceuta crisis, with a preliminary list reportedly including Mauritania; Armenia denies any proposal was discussed with Yerevan. Digital Economy Cooperation: Omani and Mauritanian partners signed MoUs to boost digital economy cooperation, including engineering and transformation initiatives. Sports Governance & Funding: African football leaders, including Mauritania’s Ahmed Yhaya, rallied behind FIFA President Gianni Infantino after he scrapped a $4.2bn World Cup revenue stake plan, citing reliance on FIFA development funding.

FIFA Politics in Focus: Leading African football administrators—including figures from Morocco, Egypt, Niger, Mauritania and the DRC—have publicly backed embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he seeks support from CAF’s 54 members, after he abandoned a plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue; CAF is set to discuss the dropped $4.2bn commercial rights proposal, but whether it takes a stance on Infantino’s future remains unclear. Mauritania Macro Watch: Mauritania’s Central Bank reports GDP growth of 4% in 2025, with inflation averaging 1.6%, exports up 12.3% to nearly $4.3bn (including early GTA gas shipments), reserves rising to $2.21bn, and a sharp fall in the budget deficit to 1.4bn MRU. Climate Data & Hidden Emissions: Satellite-based research finds oil and gas and industrial activity in parts of North Africa and the Middle East emit more CO2 than official records show, flagging “off-the-books” industrial sources including a major iron mine in Mauritania. EU Migration Policy Ripple: Armenia says it has not received any proposal to host an EU-funded migrant detention center, despite reports Italy is considering return hubs in several countries including Mauritania. US Travel Rules: The US made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with up to $20,000 deposits potentially required for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries including Mauritania’s region.

Mauritania Macro Watch: Mauritania’s Central Bank says GDP grew 4% in 2025, inflation averaged 1.6%, reserves rose to $2.21bn, and the trade deficit narrowed sharply as natural gas exports from the GTA project began. Climate & Industry Transparency: A satellite study finds oil and gas and heavy mining emissions in North Africa and the Middle East are likely undercounted, flagging a major iron mine in Mauritania as a major “off the books” source. Digital Economy Cooperation: Oman’s chamber (OCCI) joined an official Oman–Mauritania push to expand digital economy ties, including AI, cybersecurity and smart-city projects. EU Migration Policy: Italy is set to propose EU-funded “Albania-model” migrant return hubs, with a preliminary list including Mauritania, at an emergency EU interior ministers meeting after the Ceuta crisis. US Visa Costs: The US made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, with Mauritania among West African countries that could face deposits up to $20,000 for certain B1/B2 visas. FIFA Politics in Africa: CAF leaders publicly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino as he seeks re-election, after his World Cup revenue sell-off plan was dropped.

Mauritania Macroeconomy: The Central Bank of Mauritania says GDP grew 4% in 2025, inflation averaged 1.6%, and the trade deficit narrowed sharply as natural gas exports from the GTA project began (exports up to nearly $4.3bn; reserves up to $2.21bn). EU Migration Policy: Italy is pushing EU-funded “Albania-model” return hubs outside the bloc, with a preliminary host list that includes Mauritania and other African states, at an emergency meeting after the Ceuta crisis and Schengen tensions. US Visa Rules for Africans: The US made its visa bond programme permanent from Aug 3, with refundable deposits up to $20,000 for selected B1/B2 business and tourist applicants; Mauritania is among the countries named, alongside Nigeria and others. Digital Economy Cooperation: Oman’s chamber (OCCI) is in Mauritania to expand cooperation on digital transformation and AI, aiming to help Omani firms enter regional markets. Energy & Business: Kosmos Energy reported Q2 2026 results, including net income of $185m and continued LNG output from GTA, alongside updates on Jubilee wells and asset sales.

EU Migration Policy: Italy says it will push EU-funded “Albania-style” migrant expulsion hubs outside the bloc after the Ceuta crisis, with potential host countries including Mauritania and others, and it also wants stricter use of the EU’s GSP+ readmission link. US Visa Rules for Africa: The US has made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, effective Aug 3, with possible deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 business and tourist visas; Mauritania is among the listed countries, and consular officers decide the bond level. Mauritania Environment: Mauritania has launched a nationwide aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification, targeting 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions. Oman–Mauritania Digital Cooperation: Oman’s OCCI joined an official delegation to deepen cooperation with Mauritania on digital economy, AI, smart cities, IoT and cybersecurity, aiming to expand private-sector partnerships. Energy/Business: Kosmos Energy reported Q2 2026 results, including net income of $185m and production of ~71,400 boepd, plus updates on Jubilee and Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG output. Health Security: WHO-backed regional health security and emergency response strategy (2022–2030) is being implemented in Mauritania and other countries, with plans to scale up further.

US Visa Policy: The U.S. is making its refundable visa bond programme permanent from Aug. 3, with consular officers able to require B1 business and B2 tourism applicants from 50 countries to post deposits of $10,000, $15,000 or up to $20,000—money returned if visitors leave on time, forfeited if they overstay. West Africa Impact: Mauritania is on the list (implementation Oct. 23, 2025), alongside Nigeria and other regional states; separate reporting also flags a new $20,000 “barrier” for business travel. Mauritania Business & Trade: OCCI (Oman) is boosting digital economy cooperation with Mauritania through meetings on digital transformation, AI, smart cities, IoT and cybersecurity—aimed at helping Omani firms expand regionally. Energy & Industry: Kosmos Energy reported Q2 2026 results, including net income of $185m and production growth, plus progress at its Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG operations. Environment: Mauritania launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification, targeting 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds.

Digital Economy Partnerships: Oman’s OCCI joined an official Oman–Mauritania delegation to push cooperation on digital transformation, AI, smart cities, IoT and cybersecurity, aiming to help Omani firms expand regionally. U.S. Visa Costs for Mauritania: The U.S. is making its visa bond program permanent from Aug 3, letting consular officers require refundable deposits up to $20,000 for B1/B2 business and tourism visas; Mauritania is listed with an Oct 23, 2025 start date, and the bond is refunded if rules are followed and the traveler leaves on time. Mauritania Climate Action: Mauritania launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification affecting over 84% of its land, targeting 8.7 million hectares with 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions. Regional Energy Trade: West African states backed a proposed 6,800-km gas pipeline linking gas producers including Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania to the Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline toward Europe. Health Security: WHO-backed an eight-year health security and emergency response strategy (2022–2030) now being implemented in Mauritania and other countries, with plans to scale up further. Migration Pressure in Europe: A surge of migrants into Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco triggered deaths and a political crisis, with renewed debate across the EU on border controls and migration management.

US Visa Bonds: The U.S. is making its visa bond program permanent from August 3, letting consular officers require refundable deposits of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 for selected B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries (including Mauritania). The bond is meant to curb overstays and is refunded if travelers comply and leave on time. Sahel Migration Pressure: The week also kept spotlight on migration shocks around Europe’s borders, including the Ceuta surge from Morocco that triggered a political crisis in Spain and renewed EU debate over border controls and cooperation. Mauritania Desertification Fight: Mauritania launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to tackle desertification affecting over 84% of its land, aiming to spread 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds over 8.7 million hectares across nine regions. Oman–Mauritania Digital Deal: Oman and Mauritania signed five MoUs to boost digital transformation, including smart city and IoT water meter pilots, plus tech and skills cooperation. Education Link: Morocco will export engineering training to Mauritania via a new Nouakchott campus under an EMSI partnership, targeting skills aligned with Mauritania’s higher-education strategy.

US Visa Policy: The U.S. has made its Visa Bond Program permanent, starting Aug 3, 2026, with refundable deposits up to $20,000 for some B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries (including Mauritania). Consular officers can set $10k/$15k/$20k based on individual cases, aiming to curb overstays. Regional Visa Processing: Separately, the U.S. is shifting routine visa services across Africa to designated regional hubs from Aug 1, 2026, affecting multiple missions and routing applicants to larger centers. Mauritania Environment: Mauritania launched a four-day aerial seeding campaign to fight desertification, covering 8.7 million hectares and dispersing 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions. Digital Economy: Oman and Mauritania signed five MoUs to boost digital transformation, cybersecurity, and smart-city tech, including an IoT pilot for automated water meter reading. Energy & Trade Links: ECOWAS backed a proposed 6,800 km gas pipeline linking gas producers (including Mauritania) to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, while Russia and Mauritania signed an MoU to deepen economic and investment cooperation.

Desertification Fight: Mauritania launched a nationwide four-day aerial seeding campaign to restore vegetation and curb desertification hitting over 84% of its land, covering 8.7 million hectares and dispersing 3 tons of native drought-resistant seeds across nine regions. Digital Economy Partnerships: Oman and Mauritania signed five MoUs to deepen cooperation in digital transformation, cybersecurity and smart-city services, including an IoT pilot for automated water meter reading and potential tech bids across Gulf and West Africa markets. Energy & Trade Links: Russia and Mauritania signed an MoU to boost economic cooperation and trade data exchange, with 2025 trade turnover up 24% year-on-year and fisheries highlighted as a key area. Regional Gas Ambition: West African states backed a proposed 6,800-km gas pipeline linking gas deposits in Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, signaling a push for larger regional energy integration. US Visa Overhaul (Africa): The US will end routine visa processing at multiple African missions from Aug 1, 2026, including Nouakchott, pushing applicants to designated regional hubs. Migration Pressure: Spain’s Ceuta saw a surge of up to 50,000 migrants from Morocco in 24 hours, with at least 57 deaths reported, intensifying political and border-security tensions.

Digital Economy Partnerships: Oman and Mauritania signed five MoUs to deepen cooperation in digital transformation, cybersecurity, smart-city tech and training, including an IoT pilot for automated water meter reading. Energy Infrastructure & Regional Trade: ECOWAS-backed plans are moving forward for a 6,800-km gas pipeline linking Nigeria, Senegal and Mauritania to the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline, while Africa’s LNG producers increasingly push a “export-plus-domestic” model to power industry at home. Education & Skills: Morocco will launch an engineering sciences campus in Nouakchott with specialized programs from computer and network engineering to automation and intelligent systems, aligning with Mauritania’s higher-education strategy. Business & Investment Cooperation: Russia and Mauritania signed an MoU to set up an economic consultation mechanism aimed at boosting trade and investment data exchange, with fisheries, mining and power flagged as priority areas. Migration & Humanitarian Pressure (Mauritania-linked): A UNHCR report says 143 of 180 refugees on a West Africa-to-Canary Islands route rescued off Mauritania on 18 July are dead or missing, highlighting the deadly Atlantic crossing. US Consular Shift Affecting Mauritania: The US will end routine visa processing at several African missions including Nouakchott from August 1, 2026, routing applicants to designated regional hubs.

Digital Economy Partnerships: Oman and Mauritania signed five MoUs to deepen cooperation on digital transformation, cybersecurity and tech training, including an IoT smart water meter pilot and joint bids in mapping, security and surveillance. Education & Skills: Morocco plans to expand its engineering footprint in Mauritania with a new campus in Nouakchott, offering programs aligned with Mauritania’s higher-education strategy. Energy Markets: Africa’s gas producers are shifting toward “export-plus-domestic” models, with Mauritania highlighted for developing gas infrastructure alongside LNG supply to support power and industry. Bilateral Trade: Russia and Mauritania signed an MoU to boost economic and investment cooperation, with trade growth driven by fertilizers, petroleum products and fish. Migration & Human Cost: A boat carrying West African migrants to the Canary Islands was rescued off Mauritania; UNHCR says at least 143 of 180 people died or are missing, underscoring the route’s deadly risk. US Consular Overhaul: The US will stop routine visa processing at its Abuja embassy and 24 other African missions from Aug 1, 2026, moving applicants to regional hubs—impacting travel and business planning for the region.

US Consular Overhaul: The US will stop routine visa processing at its Abuja embassy and 24 other African posts from Aug 1, 2026, redirecting applicants to 20 regional hubs (including Nouakchott), citing tighter security screening, lower costs, and more consistent adjudication. Mauritania Energy Angle: Africa’s gas producers are increasingly pushing a “export-plus-domestic” model, with Mauritania highlighted as an early example as power demand shapes the next investment cycle. Mining & Cash Returns: Kinross reports strong Q2 2026 results, generating over $725m free cash flow, boosting margins, and declaring a US$0.04 quarterly dividend; it also operates in Mauritania (Tasiast). Gold Exploration Update: Montage Gold says drilling at its Wendé project in Côte d’Ivoire is confirming mineral continuity at the Bobosso target and is moving toward a maiden resource. Regional Energy Infrastructure: Morocco is seeking US Exim Bank and World Bank support for a proposed $26bn trans-African gas pipeline linking West African gas (including Mauritania) to Europe via the Maghreb-Europe line.

Gold Sector Update: Kinross Gold posted strong 2026 Q2 results, generating over $725m in free cash flow, boosting liquidity to $2.7bn cash and $1.9bn net cash, and keeping its plan to return 40% of annual free cash flow to shareholders; it also highlighted higher output from Tasiast in Mauritania. Mining Development: Kinross also shared an update on its Lobo-Marte project in Chile, revising 2021 feasibility study economics for inflation and execution progress. Dividend Signal: Kinross declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share payable Sept 3. US Visa Reshuffle (Regional Impact): The US will stop routine visa processing at its Abuja embassy and 24 other African missions from Aug 1, redirecting applicants to 20 regional hubs—Nouakchott is listed among affected posts. Trade & Labour Pressure: The US imposed a 12.5% tariff on imports from Nigeria and seven other African countries, including Mauritania, citing forced-labour enforcement gaps. Energy Infrastructure Push: Morocco is seeking US Exim Bank and World Bank backing for a proposed $26bn trans-African gas pipeline linking West African gas (including Mauritania) to Europe. Mauritania Business/Policy Note: A call is circulating that Mauritania’s mining permits should support production, not speculation.