AGP Executive Report

Trade: Sudan has lifted its 20-month ban on Kenyan tea after talks between Prime Minister Kamil Idris and President William Ruto, reopening a market where Kenyan shipments had fallen sharply. It remains unclear whether other banned goods are included. Banking: More than 50 traders and customers in West Kordofan say hackers stole millions of pounds from Bank of Khartoum accounts through its Bankak app. They are preparing legal action and have sought tighter central-bank oversight. Digital Finance: Proparco is investing €600,000 in Sudanese fintech Cashi to expand digital payments. Prices and Supply: Fuel shortages are damaging crops in El Gezira, while food prices rise and bakeries strike in North Kordofan. A two-week power blackout in White Nile State has also pushed prices higher.

Digital Banking: More than 50 traders and customers in West Kordofan say hackers stole between SDG 18 million and SDG 45 million from their Bank of Khartoum accounts through the Bankak app. They are preparing legal action and have asked the Central Bank for tighter oversight; the bank has not responded. Climate Finance: At COP31, Sudan’s Abdel Fattah al-Burhan urged faster, fairer access to climate funding and doubled adaptation support, warning that drought, floods and water shortages are hurting crop and livestock production. Trade: Sudan has lifted its 20-month ban on Kenyan tea imports, reopening a market that bought 15.9 million kilograms of Kenyan tea in 2023. Business Disruption: A two-week power blackout after a drone attack drove prices higher in Sudan’s White Nile State. Fintech: Proparco has invested €600,000 in Sudanese payments company Cashi to support the expansion of digital payments.

Trade: Sudan has lifted its 20-month ban on Kenyan tea, reopening a market that bought $29.6 million of Kenyan tea in 2023. The move follows talks between the two governments and could revive export opportunities for Kenyan growers and traders. Digital Finance: Development finance institution Proparco is investing €600,000 in Sudanese fintech Cashi to expand digital payments, where cash shortages and disrupted services are making transactions difficult for households and businesses. Climate and Livelihoods: At COP31, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan urged faster, fairer climate funding, citing drought, floods and declining crop and livestock production as threats to food security. Economic Strain: Drone-related power outages in White Nile State have driven prices higher, while fuel shortages are hurting crops and adding to pressure on food supplies.

Trade: Sudan has lifted its 20-month ban on Kenyan tea, reopening a market that bought $29.6 million of Kenyan tea in 2023 before exports slumped. The move follows talks between President William Ruto and Prime Minister Kamil Idris and could revive business for exporters and farmers. Digital Finance: French development institution Proparco is investing €600,000 in Sudanese fintech Cashi — its first financing operation in the country — to expand digital payments amid cash shortages and disrupted banking services. Power and Prices: A drone attack has left Rabak without electricity for two weeks, driving up the cost of essentials: ice now costs SDG 60,000, phone charging SDG 5,000, and grain milling SDG 10,000 per malwa. Climate and Agriculture: At COP31, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan urged faster, less politically conditioned climate funding, saying drought, floods and water shortages are cutting crop and livestock production and threatening food security.

Power and Prices: A drone strike on White Nile State’s Mashkour substation has left Rabak without electricity for 14 days. Ice now costs SDG 60,000, phone charging SDG 5,000 and milling a malwa of grain SDG 10,000; residents also pay SDG 3,000 per water container. The outage is disrupting mills and making mobile banking harder to access. Agriculture and Livelihoods: In South Darfur’s Mershing locality, poor rainfall, shrinking cultivated areas and land encroachment have sharply cut production. Only 40–50% of usual farmers planted this season, putting household incomes and local food supplies under further strain.

Food Supply Chains: Conflict in Sudan, Ukraine and Iran is disrupting food exports and transport, pushing up costs and delaying deliveries. A global industry survey found 81% of food-sector professionals’ companies had been affected by conflict in the past year. Power and Prices: A 14-day blackout in Rabak, White Nile state, has driven up everyday costs: milling 3.5 kilograms of grain now costs SDG 10,000, while phone charging costs SDG 5,000. The outage has also disrupted flour supplies and forced households to pay more for water. Agriculture Under Pressure: In South Darfur’s Mershing locality, poor rainfall, shrinking farmland and insecurity have sharply reduced cultivation. Authorities say only 40–50% of usual farmers planted this season, threatening livelihoods and increasing pressure on families to seek aid.

Agriculture and Food: IFAD warns El Niño could bring 20–35% rainfall deficits across the Sahel, putting Sudan’s rain-fed crops and farm incomes at risk. Fuel shortages are already damaging crops in El Gezira, pushing up food prices and contributing to bakery strikes in North Kordofan. Trade: Sudanese exhibitors brought products to China’s CIIE, where expanded zero-tariff access for African goods could open new markets. Russian wheat shipments to Sudan rose nearly 50% year on year to about 1.5 million tonnes in January–September. Jobs and Industry: Khartoum teachers have struck for a third week over salaries that no longer cover basic needs, while war-damaged factories face a difficult restart. Connectivity: Sudan Airways has resumed flights after grounding its A320s, restoring an important link for travel and commerce.

China Market Access: Sudanese exhibitors showcased food and agricultural products at Shanghai’s CIIE, as China’s zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries offers exporters a wider route to Chinese consumers. Farm and Food Costs: Fuel shortages are damaging maize crops in El Gezira, with a four-gallon container of petrol reaching SDG600,000; rising food prices and a bakery strike in El Obeid are adding pressure on households and supplies. Grain Trade: Sudan imported about 1.5 million tonnes of Russian grain in January–September, nearly 50% more than a year earlier, as Russian shipments to Africa expanded.

Food and Farming: Fuel shortages are damaging maize crops in El Gezira, where petrol reached SDG600,000 for four gallons. Food and transport costs are climbing, while a bakery strike in North Kordofan has disrupted bread supplies. Household Recovery: UN agencies estimate 15.4 million people need shelter and household supplies; 936,000 have received help. The shortfall threatens families’ ability to return, earn incomes and support local trade. Industry and Infrastructure: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after wartime losses, while drone strikes and power cuts are disrupting essential services and livelihoods. Trade and Supplies: Russia nearly doubled grain supplies to Sudan and Kenya over the season, as Sudan faces rising food costs and pressure on domestic production.

Shelter and Livelihoods: UN agencies say 15.4 million people in Sudan need emergency shelter and household supplies, but only 936,000 have received assistance. The shortfall threatens families’ recovery and local trade. Food Prices: Bread shortages and inflation are pushing staple costs beyond reach for millions, adding to pressure on household budgets. Industry and Power: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after wartime losses, while drone attacks on power infrastructure have disrupted services and livelihoods. Transport: Sudan Airways has resumed flights after an A320 grounding, restoring air connections. Trade and Supply: Russia nearly doubled grain supplies to Sudan and Kenya over the past season, as Sudan faces acute food needs. Regional Commerce: Libya’s Misrata Chamber of Commerce reviewed logistical and procedural barriers to trade with Sudan and neighboring countries, and plans to submit recommendations to Libya’s economy ministry.

Shelter and Livelihoods: UN agencies say 15.4 million people in Sudan need emergency shelter and household supplies, but funding allows aid groups to prioritize only about 10%—a shortfall that could impede families’ recovery, incomes and local trade. Food Costs: Bread shortages and inflation are pushing prices beyond the reach of millions, worsening pressure on household budgets. Industry and Trade: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after wartime losses, while Khartoum reversed an import ban after what one report described as a failed experiment. Capital Markets: The OECD says corporate bonds play a more prominent financing role in Sudan than in most African markets, though the continent’s corporate debt remains concentrated in six countries.

Trade and Exports: Sudanese products featured at a China–Africa trade exhibition in Yiwu, giving businesses a chance to reach Chinese buyers and explore new markets. Industry and Transport: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after wartime losses, while Sudan Airways has resumed flights following an A320 grounding. Food and Markets: Bread shortages and rising prices are squeezing households, and reports point to pressure on fuel markets. Russia has also nearly doubled grain supplies to Sudan and Kenya this season, making imports an important part of the food outlook. Import Policy: Khartoum has reversed an import ban after a failed experiment, though restrictions remain.

Gold Trade: Egypt’s crackdown on illegal mining near Sudan’s border has led to 691 arrests and the seizure of vehicles and equipment; two Egyptian officers were killed in a clash. The campaign underscores the security and smuggling risks around Sudanese gold. Trade Links: Pakistan says it wants to expand trade and investment with Sudan, including in agriculture. Sudanese businesses also showcased products at a China-Africa trade exhibition in Yiwu, seeking access to Chinese buyers. Power and Industry: Drone strikes and blackouts are disrupting services and livelihoods, while factories struggle to restart after wartime losses. Reports of a parallel fuel market point to added pressure on prices. Food Costs: Bread shortages and inflation are putting basic food beyond many households’ reach. Russia’s grain association says supplies to Sudan and Kenya nearly doubled over the season.

Power and Business: Reported drone strikes have hit Sudan’s electricity network, with at least 15 substations targeted since early October. Attacks on Damazin also cut power and water, disrupting shops and worsening fuel shortages. Trade Links: Pakistan says it wants to expand trade and investment with Sudan, citing opportunities in agriculture, defence and education during talks with Sudan’s interior minister. Industry: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after major wartime losses, while power cuts add to the obstacles facing businesses. Food Costs: Bread shortages and soaring prices are putting basic food further out of reach for millions. Transport: Sudan Airways has resumed flights after grounding an A320, restoring a link for passengers and commerce.

Pakistan Ties: Pakistan’s prime minister said Islamabad wants to expand trade and investment with Sudan, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, defence and education during talks with Sudan’s interior minister. Trade Routes: Sudan’s industry and trade minister met counterparts from Libya, Niger and Chad at a regional conference in Istanbul to discuss updating trade agreements and improving customs and border coordination. Aviation: Sudan Airways resumed flights to Cairo after repairs to its only aircraft, following a grounding caused in part by spare-parts shortages. Industry and Power: Sudanese factories are struggling to restart after wartime losses, while drone attacks on electricity infrastructure have disrupted services and threatened the fragile power grid. Household Costs: Bread shortages and soaring prices are putting a staple beyond the reach of millions, adding to pressure from inflation and the war’s economic fallout.

Trade and Investment: Pakistan’s prime minister and Sudan’s interior minister discussed expanding ties, with agriculture and investment among potential areas for cooperation. Aviation: Sudan Airways has resumed flights after repairs to its only aircraft, restoring service from Port Sudan to Cairo as the carrier works to rebuild. Food Prices: A loaf of bread in Khartoum doubled in price to 500 Sudanese pounds in a week. The pound has lost about a quarter of its value against the dollar in a month, driving up the cost of imported wheat and forcing many bakeries to close. Industry: Sudan’s war-damaged factories face a slow recovery: about 1,800 facilities have been hit, including 650 destroyed. One Khartoum sweets factory is operating at just 40% of its former capacity after losses estimated at $1 million.