AGP Executive Report

Digital Payments: Circle and ACI Worldwide plan to test USDC settlement on Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments network, bringing stablecoin transfers into the country’s existing banking infrastructure. Telecoms: Parallel Wireless has signed a deal with Telecall Colombia for AI-enabled 5G, adding momentum to next-generation connectivity. Tech Exports: Colombia’s software sector is seeking new international business at SOFTIC 2026, while a regional ranking puts the country’s digital economy at 15.1% of GDP, the highest share in Latin America. Science & Conservation: Researchers identified a new giant waterlily species in Guainía, with an estimated 30 to 50 plants left in the wild; Instagram photos helped spark the discovery. AgTech: Expo Agrofuturo brought together more than 350 companies, with organizers highlighting Chinese firms’ role in supplying agricultural technology and expertise. Startup Ecosystem: Medellín will host the Horasis Global Summit in November, with sessions on AI governance, investment and women’s leadership in technology.

Payments Innovation: Circle and ACI Worldwide plan to pilot USDC settlement on Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments network, bringing stablecoin transfers into existing payment infrastructure. Software Exports: Colombian firms generated US$5.69 million in potential deals at SOFTIC 2026 in Cartagena, where 43 exporters met 15 buyers from 11 countries; the deals are not yet guaranteed sales. Tech Leadership: Medellín’s Horasis Global Summit, set for Nov. 10–13, will put women’s roles in AI and technology leadership on the agenda. Nature and Science: A new UN report named a Colombian restoration initiative among five global flagships, while a separate international decision opens talks on a protocol targeting environmental crimes such as illegal wildlife trade and mining.

Digital Payments: Circle and ACI will pilot USDC settlement on Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments network, testing how stablecoins can work through existing banking infrastructure. Colombia is the starting point for a planned regional rollout. Climate Science: An OAS outlook warns that a potentially severe 2027 El Niño could bring drought and sharp rainfall drops to Colombia’s Andean and Caribbean regions. It urges countries to prepare in the coming months. Ecosystem Restoration: A new UN report says restoration work is underway across 252 million hectares worldwide and recognizes an initiative in Colombia among five global flagships. The report says faster action and more funding are needed to meet 2030 targets. Telecoms: Parallel Wireless and Telecall announced an AI-enabled 5G deal in Colombia, another push to expand next-generation mobile services.

Climate Watch: An OAS forecast warns that a potentially very strong El Niño in 2027 could bring severe drought to Colombia’s Andean and Caribbean regions, with rainfall drops of up to 80%; it urges governments to prepare. Digital Payments: Circle and ACI Worldwide are exploring USDC settlement alongside Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments system. The project is still a proof of concept, with no live connection or launch date announced. Biodiversity Research: Colombian scientists described a previously unknown insect that, along with a recently found weevil, could help control an invasive plant in Australia. Tech Economy: Colombia ranks first in the region for the digital economy’s share of GDP, at 15.1%, while Medellín is set to host a global summit on AI governance and startup investment. Clean Water: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing for work using palm waste to clean water.

Biodiversity Research: Colombian scientists described a new, tiny stilt bug that, alongside a recently found weevil, could help control invasive passion fruit threatening Australian forests. Digital Payments: Circle and ACI Worldwide are testing how USDC settlement could work alongside Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payment system. The project is exploratory; no participating banks or commercial launch have been announced. AI & Startups: Medellín will host the Horasis Global Summit on Nov. 10–13, bringing more than 1,000 business, government and academic leaders together to discuss AI governance, investment and startup growth. Clean-Water Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing for work using palm waste to clean water.

Digital Payments: Circle and ACI Worldwide are piloting USDC settlement alongside Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payment network, aiming to let banks use stablecoins without replacing existing payment rails. Bre-B recorded more than 500 million transactions in its first five months. 5G Expansion: Parallel Wireless will help Telecall roll out AI-enabled 5G across Colombia, using Open RAN technology to extend broadband in areas with limited fiber access and boost capacity elsewhere. Startup Ecosystem: Medellín will host the Horasis Global Summit on November 10–13, bringing more than 1,000 global leaders to discuss investment, fintech, AI and partnerships for Latin American startups. Water Research: A year-long study in rural Colombia and Mexico tested household treatment systems combining pre-filtration and UV-C disinfection, highlighting how local water conditions and household needs shape whether clean-water technology works in practice.

Research Recognition: University of Antioquia professor Yordan Rodríguez became the first Colombian to receive the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society’s 2026 Hal W. Hendrick award. Fintech: Global66 reported that transfers sent from Colombia through its platform topped US$225 million in the third quarter, triple the year-earlier level. Digital Economy: Colombia’s digital economy accounted for 15.1% of GDP in 2025, the highest share among five Spanish-speaking countries compared in a regional study. Clean-Water Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO support to develop a water-cleaning approach using palm waste. Wildlife Science: Dog and pigeon viruses were detected for the first time in Colombia’s wildlife, highlighting the importance of disease monitoring.

Digital Economy: Colombia led a five-country regional comparison, with its digital economy accounting for 15.1% of GDP in 2025 — about US$65 billion. Clean-Water Research: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing for work using palm waste to help clean water. Biodiversity: Photos of giant water lilies in Colombia shared on Instagram helped researchers identify a new species. Tech Workforce: A new Latin America hiring report points to rising demand for senior engineers as AI shifts employers’ needs toward people who can assess and integrate code.

Aviation Technology: Embraer says Colombia is the first Latin American export customer for its KC-390 military transport aircraft, as the Brazilian manufacturer looks to expand in Asia. Biodiversity Research: An Instagram photo led scientists to identify Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily new to science. Satellite imagery and a research trip with Indigenous community members helped confirm the discovery. Wildlife Health: Dog and pigeon viruses have been detected for the first time in Colombia’s wildlife, raising new questions for researchers monitoring animal diseases. Clean-Water Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing for work using palm waste to help clean water. Artificial Intelligence: Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America on an AI index, while reported security flaws in government websites put public-sector cybersecurity in focus. Digital Health: ProColombia is promoting the country’s digital health market to foreign investors, with an aim of bringing care closer to regions.

Green Innovation: Colombian project BIO CO won a Premios Verdes 2026 award for regenerative agriculture, reusing 95% of its waste and supporting 39 crop species. Biodiversity: Researchers identified Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily, after an Instagram photo prompted satellite searches and an expedition with Indigenous community members in the Inírida River region. Public Health: The VACtívate course trained 716 health workers, community leaders and communicators across 20 Colombian cities to support informed vaccine decisions. Cybersecurity: Reported PHP security flaws in Colombian government websites have raised concerns about their online protection.

Regional Energy Tech: Latin American and Caribbean ministers agreed to advance electrification and energy storage, and study AI’s impact on power systems. Civil society groups say climate action and community input need a stronger role. Colombian Biodiversity: Researchers described Victoria colombiana, a newly identified giant water lily that may have just 30 to 50 wild plants, all in one Guainía wetland. Indigenous communities helped find it; its survival may depend on local protection and a Bogotá Botanical Garden seed program. Health Research: A Colombian study found the VACtívate course improved vaccination knowledge among 716 health workers and community leaders across 20 cities. AI and Cybersecurity: Colombia ranked fourth in Latin America’s AI index, while a separate warning flagged security flaws in PHP-based government websites. Clean-Water Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a water-cleaning approach using palm waste.

Species Discovery: Researchers identified Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily found in Colombia’s Inírida River after a social media post sparked a search. With an estimated 30 to 50 wild plants, it may depend on a single protected wetland and local Indigenous communities for survival. Public Health: A Colombian study of VACtívate, an in-person vaccination course delivered in 20 cities, involved 716 health workers, community leaders and communicators, aiming to strengthen informed vaccine decisions. Clean Energy: An international study of 15 renewable-energy projects, including cases in Colombia, found that corporate sustainability claims can mask harms to local communities and livelihoods. Climate Policy: Santa Marta hosted the first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, bringing together 57 countries and the EU to pursue climate action beyond the UN process.

Public Health: Colombian researchers evaluated VACtívate, an in-person vaccination course for 716 health workers, community leaders and communicators across 20 cities, aiming to support informed vaccine decisions. Clean-Water Research: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a way to clean water using palm waste. AI in Medicine: A planned 10,000-patient study in Bogotá will test AI-based cancer biomarkers for earlier detection. Renewable Energy: An international study covering projects in Colombia and seven other countries found local communities can be left out of financial benefits and face overlooked social and environmental impacts.

Climate & Agriculture: As a potentially severe El Niño threatens dry conditions in Colombia, researchers, governments and entrepreneurs are exploring whether agricultural technology can help farmers protect crops and food supplies. Clean Water: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a water-cleaning approach using palm waste. Health AI: Early Signal Diagnostics plans to validate AI cancer biomarkers in a 10,000-patient study in Bogotá. Cybersecurity: Reported PHP security flaws have raised concerns about Colombian government websites. AI Readiness: Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America’s AI index, while a digital health market worth an estimated US$512 million is drawing investor interest.

Cybersecurity: Colombia’s response team flagged PHP’s widespread use after critical flaws raised concerns about government-related websites. The alert identified 8,699 internet-facing services using PHP, though that does not mean they are all vulnerable. Digital Health: ProColombia is pitching the country’s $512 million digital health market to foreign investors, while the government hopes technology can bring care closer to underserved regions. Artificial Intelligence: Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America’s AI index, as calls grow for regional countries to shape their own AI development. Fintech: Tether-backed Bolivian startup Peso plans to expand USDT payment and banking connections in Colombia and three other Latin American markets. Clean Water Research: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO support for work using palm waste to help clean water. Wildlife Science: Researchers detected dog and pigeon viruses in Colombian wildlife for the first time, raising questions about disease monitoring.

Cybersecurity: Colombia’s response team flagged PHP’s widespread use in internet-facing services after critical flaws emerged; 8,699 services use the language, though not all are necessarily vulnerable. Wildlife Science: Researchers detected dog and pigeon viruses in Colombian wildlife for the first time, adding new data for monitoring animal health. Clean Water Research: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing for work using palm waste to help clean water. Digital Health: A Bogotá study is preparing to test AI cancer biomarkers in 10,000 patients, while Colombia promotes its growing digital-health sector. Artificial Intelligence: Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America in a regional AI index, highlighting the country’s place in the region’s fast-moving technology landscape.