AGP Executive Report

Wrestling Spotlight: Tiger Mask IV’s NJPW retirement show (July 7, Korakuen Hall) brings two five-minute bouts: Rocky Romero returns as Black Tiger and a dream clash with “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington. Junior Title Watch: YOH defends the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on July 6 at Road to G1 Climax; his challenger comes from a June 23 four-way match (Fujita, SHO, Master Wato, Akira). Togo Arts & Culture: Palais de Lomé hosts the Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition (through Aug. 31), featuring winners from five countries, with a planned Japan/France tour. Local Tech & Security: France’s Viginum accuses Israeli firm BlackCore of election meddling reaching Scotland, New York, Angola—and Togo—via fake accounts and coordinated online smear campaigns. Regional Sports Human Interest: Roberto “Pico” Lopes’ World Cup dream story—sparked by a LinkedIn message—shows how Cape Verde’s squad path can start off the pitch. Migration & Enforcement: Nigeria’s army says 46 suspected undocumented migrants (including 4 Togolese) were arrested in Ogun and handed to immigration.

Togolese Arts & Culture: Palais de Lomé is hosting the first Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition, running to Aug. 31, with winners from five countries including Togo’s own audience spotlight on Moffat Takadiwa’s Grand Prix work. Local Media & Sports: Lomé-based New World TV has partnered with Orange to distribute its sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine African countries, boosting access to rights including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tech & Innovation (Togo-linked): A Togolese PhD researcher, Koami Soulemane Hayibo, is working on foam-based floating solar panels for colder climates—aiming to improve performance where cooling is a problem. Digital Security (regional): France’s Viginum accuses Israeli firm BlackCore of election meddling via fake accounts, naming targets including Togo and Scotland. Cyber & Games: Nigeria won the $10,000 grand prize at the ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026, with Togo among participating states. World Cup Culture: A Reuters feature traces how a LinkedIn message helped Irish-born Roberto Lopes join Cape Verde for the 2026 World Cup.

Digital Influence Watch: France’s Viginum says Israeli firm BlackCore ran coordinated online disinformation targeting elections and political figures in Scotland, France, Angola, Togo, and New York City, including fake accounts aimed at First Minister John Swinney and the SNP, plus smear tactics against pro-Palestinian candidates; Viginum says the sponsor behind the operations remains unclear. Arts & Culture in Lomé: Palais de Lomé is hosting the first Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition, featuring winners from five countries, with the show running through Aug. 31 ahead of a Japan and France tour. Sports Media Deal: Togolese broadcaster New World TV partners with Orange Africa/OMEA to distribute its sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine African markets, boosting access to major competitions including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cybersecurity Spotlight: Nigeria won the $10,000 grand prize at the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 in Accra, with participants from 12 member states including Togo.

Digital Interference Watch: France’s Viginum says Israeli firm BlackCore ran coordinated online smear operations that reached France, Scotland, Angola, Togo and New York City—targeting figures including Scotland’s John Swinney and New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, with Viginum unable to name the original sponsor. Arts in Lomé: Palais de Lomé is hosting the first Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition, featuring works by five winners from across Africa, running through Aug. 31 ahead of a Japan and France tour. World Cup Culture & Media: Lomé-based New World TV signed with Orange to distribute its sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine African countries, boosting access to 2026 World Cup coverage. Tech for Creators: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa—bringing more AI search help to the region, including Togo in the wider rollout list. Football Human Story: Roberto Lopes says a LinkedIn message helped him switch to Cape Verde and chase World Cup dreams after initially mistaking the offer for spam.

Contemporary Art in Lomé: Palais de Lomé is hosting the first Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition, running to Aug. 31, featuring winners from five countries including Togolese audiences’ chance to see Grand Prix artist Moffat Takadiwa. Digital Sovereignty in Togo: Lomé will host the main Togo Internet Governance Forum on June 20, with pre-events on June 18 and 19 focused on AI, massive data use, and the geopolitics reshaping the online world. World Cup on Togolese screens: Lomé-based New World TV has partnered with Orange to distribute its sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine African markets, including World Cup 2026 coverage. African Identity on the Map: The AU has endorsed Togo-backed “Correct the Map of Africa,” pushing the initiative toward the UN to fix distorted projections. Cybersecurity & Skills: Ghana’s ECOWAS hackathon highlights a regional talent gap—raids on scam centres reportedly found real technical skill that could be redirected into legitimate digital jobs. Music & Culture: End of the Road 2026 in the UK announces Geese as the final headliner.

Contemporary African Art: Palais de Lomé is hosting the first Toyota Tsusho CFAO African Art Award exhibition, featuring winners from five countries, with works by Togolese audiences’ spotlight artist Moffat Takadiwa plus artists from DRC, South Africa, Botswana and Ethiopia, running through Aug. 31. Sports Media & Distribution: Lomé-based New World TV has partnered with Orange Africa and Middle East to distribute its premium sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine African countries, boosting access to rights including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and UEFA competitions. Digital Governance in Togo: Togo will convene its national Internet Governance Forum in Lomé on 20 June, preceded by TogoSIG (18 June) and a Youth IGF (19 June), focusing on digital sovereignty and AI-era challenges. World Cup Build-Up: Africa is set for a record 10-team presence at the expanded 48-nation 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the tournament kicking off in North America this week. International Tech Influence Claims: France’s disinformation watchdog Viginum alleges an Israeli firm, BlackCore, ran coordinated smear operations linked to elections in Scotland and New York, and also mentions activity connected to Togo.

Digital Influence & Elections: France’s disinformation watchdog Viginum accuses Israeli firm BlackCore of using proxy accounts and smear campaigns to target Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and the SNP, and also links the same operation to meddling in New York City and elections in Togo and Angola. Sports Media in Togo: Lomé broadcaster New World TV signs an Orange Africa deal to distribute its premium sports channels via Orange’s Max it super-app across nine countries, boosting access to major rights including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tech & Policy in Lomé: Togo will host a national internet governance forum on AI and digital sovereignty in June, with pre-events for schools and youth. World Cup Build-Up: Africa’s record 10 teams head into the expanded 48-team World Cup, with guides on where to watch and how the tournament’s new format changes the race. Arts & Culture: POAC’s 49th annual ArtWalk kicks off in Sandpoint, while Glasgow International returns with major visual art programming.

World Cup on the move: Togolese broadcaster New World TV has struck an Orange Africa deal to distribute its premium sports channels via the Max it super-app across nine countries, aiming to reach millions of mobile viewers as the 48-team World Cup kicks off. Digital sovereignty in Lomé: Togo will host a national internet governance forum on AI challenges in June, with pre-events for internet governance and youth voices. Tech for everyday use: Google is expanding “Ask Gemini in Chrome” to more African markets, including Togo, as Chrome adds built-in AI help for finding and understanding information. Arts & community calendar: Lome’s cultural scene gets a boost with POAC’s 49th annual ArtWalk kicking off, while local event listings highlight free outdoor concerts and festival-style lineups. Media & trust: France’s disinformation watchdog alleges an Israeli firm, BlackCore, tried to influence elections in multiple places, including Togo. Sport viewing guide: Multiple outlets are publishing “how to watch” World Cup 2026 guides for fans across Africa.

World Cup Hype (Africa on the rise): The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with South Africa vs Mexico, and Africa’s hopes are carried by a record 10 teams—an expanded stage that raises expectations for every match. Togo in the spotlight (football links): Cape Verde’s Roberto Lopes, who previously earned caps after a 2-0 win over Togo, is now chasing World Cup dreams—an extra reason for fans to track the region’s players. Tech & culture (AI in everyday life): Google is rolling out “Ask Gemini in Chrome” across Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, with Togo included in the wider Africa rollout—bringing AI search closer to daily browsing. Local arts & community (festival energy): POAC’s 49th annual ArtWalk kicks off Friday, with a city-wide showcase of artists and events running through late August. Togo governance (digital sovereignty): Lomé will host a national internet governance forum on AI challenges, with youth and school forums set just before the main event. Music calendar (UK festival buzz): Geese are named the final headliner for End of the Road 2026, joining Pulp, CMAT and Mac DeMarco.

World Cup Spotlight: Africa lands a record 10 teams for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, with South Africa opening vs Mexico and attention already on how teams start strong in a three-match group grind. Togo in the Mix: Togo’s friendly vs Benin is covered with live updates, while Kévin Denkey’s form is flagged as Georgia’s key attacking boost. France–Togo Partnership: France and Togo reviewed their 2026–2028 cooperation priorities in Lomé, highlighting major AFD-backed gains in water, electricity, training, roads, and scholarships. Cyber & Youth Skills: Ghana’s scam raids sparked a debate on misdirected talent, with officials arguing retraining can turn technical youth skills into real digital-economy jobs. Kuwait Domestic Work Rules: Kuwait restricts domestic worker recruitment to 10 approved countries and bans 27 others, including Togo, reshaping regional labour hopes. Arts & Culture: Glasgow International spotlights Jasmine Togo-Brisby’s “Liquid Land,” and a free Robey Memorial Library program brings Iditarod musher Karen Land to share mushing history and climate impacts.

Internet Governance in Lomé: Togo will host the 2026 Internet Governance Forum on June 19, with pre-events for students and youth on June 17–18, focusing on AI, big data, cybersecurity, digital rights and “digital sovereignty” amid shifting geopolitics. World Cup Culture & Media: FIFA is collecting match memorabilia to document the 2026 tournament, while The Eagle Online Nigeria unveils special World Cup coverage on YouTube with expert analysis and regular “Sport Update” editions. Football Cross-Border Reality: A Somali World Cup referee was left out after being denied entry to the U.S., highlighting how strict immigration checks can disrupt major sports plans. Labour Migration Shock: Kuwait has restricted domestic worker recruitment to 10 approved countries and banned 27 others, including Togo, tightening options for house-help and related jobs. Arts & Heritage Spotlight: Glasgow International returns amid budget pressures, featuring Jasmine Togo-Brisby’s “Liquid Land” and other shows that connect contemporary art with architecture and colonial histories.

World Cup Referee Snub: FIFA’s first-ever Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was left out after being denied entry to the U.S., highlighting how strict immigration checks can derail football plans. World Cup Viewing Guide: Fans worldwide are being pointed to the best ways to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Africa’s presence front and center as the tournament kicks off. Togo Football Spotlight: Kévin Denkey is tipped as a key figure for Togo’s striker impact as he drives results for his national team. Togo in the Spotlight (Tech & Policy): Lomé will host Togo’s 2026 Internet Governance Forum on June 19, with sessions for students, youth, and policymakers on AI, big data, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty. Arts & Culture (Glasgow): Glasgow International returns with major shows including Jasmine Togo-Brisby’s Liquid Land at GoMA, bringing fresh attention to contemporary art and colonial histories. Maritime & Development (Gulf of Guinea): Ghana’s planned Takoradi ship repair push could reshape West African logistics—an angle that matters for regional trade and creative industries alike. Religious Storytelling (Togo): Togo-based sisters took part in a workshop on solutions journalism and storytelling, aiming to amplify religious voices through media.

Togo IGF in Lomé: Togo’s Internet Governance Forum (June 19) will bring together public, private, academia and civil society voices on digital sovereignty amid AI, big data and geopolitics, with pre-events for students and youth on June 17-18. World Cup culture & sport buzz: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup build-up includes special media and memorabilia plans, while friendlies keep rolling—Benin and Niger drew 1-1, and Togo’s own match coverage is live in the mix. Cancer care spotlight: Merck Foundation highlights its World Cancer Day 2026 push, training oncology specialists across multiple African countries and sharing a multilingual children’s story/animation to boost awareness. Arts in motion abroad: Glasgow International returns with shows including Jasmine Togo-Brisby’s Liquid Land, and the festival’s focus on grassroots-to-international art is a bright note for culture watchers. Local community storytelling: Catholic sisters from across Africa trained to strengthen storytelling and solutions journalism, with a Togo participant among the group.

Togo Digital Policy: Lomé will host the National Internet Governance Forum on June 19, with pre-events for students and youth (June 17-18) under a theme focused on AI, big data, and digital sovereignty. World Cup Culture & Media: The Eagle Online Nigeria rolls out special World Cup 2026 coverage on YouTube, with expert analysis and regular “Sport Update” editions through the tournament. Togo in the Spotlight: Ecobank Transnational Incorporated elected Togolese executive Cathia Lawson-Hall to its board for a three-year term, adding to her growing regional leadership profile. Arts & Heritage: White Paper ran an art camp at Bangladesh’s historic Birulia Zamidar Bari, where artists created works inspired by the riverside landscape and heritage architecture. Sports & Community: A free June 13 talk at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will feature Iditarod musher Karen Land, including hands-on sled-dog racing history (with a nod to “Balto and Togo”). Right to Information: Transparency International chapters launched a West Africa report on access-to-information laws covering Liberia, Ghana, Togo, and Sierra Leone, highlighting legal progress alongside real-world access gaps.

Digital Sovereignty in Focus: Togo’s Internet Governance Forum (Togo IGF) is set for June 19 in Lomé, with pre-events for students and youth on June 17–18, bringing together public institutions, private sector, academia, media and civil society to discuss governance in the era of AI, big data and geopolitics. Local Tech & Education: Nine Togolese edtech startups have finished an incubation programme led by Agence Togo Digital (ATD) with GIZ support, including training in AI for education and growth strategy, and they’re now preparing to showcase at eLearning Africa in Accra. Arts & Culture: White Paper hosted an art camp at Birulia Zamidar Bari in Bangladesh, using heritage landscapes to spark new work and connect contemporary artists with historic sites—an example of how culture can be made participatory. Sports Spotlight: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup memorabilia project continues, while Benin and Niger played a 1-1 friendly, and Senegal’s World Cup qualification story remains in the headlines.

World Cup Memorabilia: FIFA says it will collect 22 items to document the 2026 tournament, including rare finds from past finals and legends like Pelé—proof that soccer history can turn up in unexpected places. Togo Digital Policy: Lomé will host Togo’s Internet Governance Forum on June 19, with training for students and youth discussions on digital sovereignty, AI, data rights and inclusion. Togo Business & Finance: Ecobank Transnational elects Cathia Lawson-Hall to its board in Lomé, adding a high-profile governance and media-sector finance track record. Arts & Community: White Paper runs an art camp at Birulia Zamidar Bari, using heritage landscapes to spark new storytelling and connect contemporary artists with history. EV & Mobility: Spiro raises $215m to scale electric vehicles and battery-swapping across markets including Togo, aiming to expand stations and local assembly. Real Estate & Energy: Fest’Immo SolarDayZ in Lomé draws nearly 5,000 visitors, focusing on sustainable housing and the energy transition.