AGP Executive Report

Telecom & Justice: Orange Côte d’Ivoire warns it may sue after Espina’s construction damaged its fibre in Cocody Angre Djorobite, cutting fixed, mobile and internet services for 1,121 customers. Agribusiness Expansion: Sipef is buying the Tiabam banana plantation in Tiassalé, adding 450 hectares (320 in production) to boost output and exports. Security & Trade: Customs and partner agencies across 19 countries wrapped up Operation ZAFIRO, seizing about 1.2 tonnes of narcotics and identifying 86 clandestine airstrips through coordinated scrutiny of general aviation. Sports (Regional): Ghana’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off with a trip to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire on 24 September, with Jordan Ayew expected in the squad and the GFA pushing for a quick return after missing AFCON 2025. Health & Humanitarian: MSF supported migrants in distress after boat crossings, treating extreme dehydration, fractures and infections; survivors included women and minors from several West African countries including Côte d’Ivoire.

AFCON 2027 Push: Ghana’s GFA says it’s determined to return the Black Stars to AFCON after missing 2025, with Group C set to include Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia, and qualifiers starting with an away trip to Bouaké on 24 September. Squad Update: Captain Jordan Ayew is expected back in the Black Stars squad for the AFCON qualifiers after his Leicester exit, with his next club move reportedly nearing completion. Côte d’Ivoire Telecom Disruption: Orange Côte d’Ivoire warns it may take legal action after cable damage in Cocody (Angre Djorobite) cut fixed, mobile and internet services for 1,121 customers. Regional Football Leadership: Burkina Faso FA president Oumarou Sawadogo takes over as WAFU B President, aiming to strengthen West African football cooperation. Cocoa Finance: FMO signs a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire. Agribusiness Expansion: Sipef expands Côte d’Ivoire banana production by buying the Tiabam plantation near Akoudjé, adding 450 hectares (320 in production).

Telecom Disruption in Cocody: Orange Côte d’Ivoire says fibre cables were severely damaged in the Angre Djorobite area by construction works, cutting fixed, mobile and internet services for 1,121 customers, and warns it may pursue legal action. Regional Football Leadership: Burkina Faso’s football federation president Oumarou Sawadogo has taken over as WAFU B President in Abidjan, following the resignation of Ibrahim Musa Gusau, with expectations of stronger West African football cooperation. Migration Aid in West Africa: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reports medical support for 1,046 survivors of Atlantic boat crossings disembarking in Mauritania and Senegal, including women and minors, after days at sea marked by dehydration, injuries and infections. Côte d’Ivoire Cocoa Finance: FMO signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting the sector amid price pressure. Mining Deal Watch: Firering Strategic Minerals is in talks with Australasian Metals via an option agreement covering Côte d’Ivoire lithium/tantalum projects, signaling renewed investor interest in the country’s critical minerals.

Maternal Health: A new IPS report warns that while maternal deaths in Africa fell 40% since 2000, progress is stalling and Africa still accounts for over 70% of global maternal deaths, with delays in care and weak facility readiness driving preventable deaths. Road Safety Tech: Yango says its safety measures cut reckless driving incidents across Africa by 38%, with Côte d’Ivoire down 35%, and post-trip complaints falling as privacy-protecting call tools expand. Cocoa Finance: FMO signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire amid price pressure. Gold Exploration: Aurum Resources reports high-grade gold intercepts from Boundiali (BST1) in Côte d’Ivoire, pointing to mineralisation open at depth and along strike. Sports & Youth: Côte d’Ivoire is set to host the WAFU B U-17 Girls Championship starting 15 September, with regional qualifiers drawing attention to the country’s growing role in youth football.

Cocoa Finance: FMO signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, a timely boost as prices pressure the sector. Gold & Mining: Aurum Resources reported more high-grade gold intercepts from its Boundiali BST1 deposit, saying drilling confirms mineralisation beyond the current resource and the system remains open for expansion. Rural Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire launched an XOF 38bn rural connectivity project covering 575 localities, aiming to extend access beyond major cities. Transport Safety: Yango says its safety rollout cut reckless driving incidents across Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire seeing a 35% decline and fewer post-trip contact complaints after privacy-protecting call tech. Sports—Football: Ghana’s Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz is set to continue into the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, while critics argue Ghana must shift back toward possession and attacking play. Sports—Basketball: FIBA’s African qualifiers power rankings show the race to Qatar 2027 tightening after Window 4 results.

Cocoa Finance: FMO has signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting the sector as prices remain under pressure. Gold Drilling Update: Aurum Resources reported fresh high-grade gold intercepts at its Boundiali project, including 5.63m at 31.79 g/t and 0.50m at 104.13 g/t, saying mineralisation remains open for potential resource growth. Road to 2027 Sports: Côte d’Ivoire is set to host the WAFU Zone B U17 Girls Championship starting 15 September, with Group B featuring Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Niger. Mobility Safety: Yango says its safety measures cut reckless driving incidents across Africa by 38%, with Côte d’Ivoire down 35%, alongside fewer post-trip complaints after privacy-focused call tech rollouts. Environment Legacy: Survivors in Abidjan are still grappling with the 2006 Probo Koala toxic dumping fallout, including long-running disputes over cleanup and compensation.

El Niño Warning: A fast-intensifying “super” El Niño could bring torrential rains and flooding in parts of East Africa and drought in southern Africa, with millions at risk of a humanitarian crisis as aid cuts bite. Cocoa Finance: FMO signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting the sector amid price pressure. Gold Drilling Update: Aurum Resources reported high-grade gold intercepts at its Boundiali project, including 5.63m at 31.79 g/t, saying mineralisation remains open for potential resource growth. Rural Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire launched an XOF 38bn rural connectivity project for 575 localities, aiming to expand access beyond major cities. Road Safety Tech: Yango says its safety measures cut reckless driving incidents in Côte d’Ivoire by 35%, alongside fewer post-trip complaints after privacy-focused upgrades. Past Disaster Still Haunts: Survivors of the 2006 Probo Koala toxic dumping in Abidjan say they’re still living with the fallout two decades on.

Cocoa & Rural Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire is pushing ahead on cocoa processing and rural development, including a major XOF 38bn rural connectivity project aimed at boosting access for hundreds of localities. Cocoa Finance: FMO has signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting the supply chain through price pressure. Gold & Mining: Aurum Resources reports fresh high-grade gold hits at its Boundiali BST1 deposit, with drilling confirming mineralisation open at depth and along strike. Transport & Safety: Yango says reckless driving incidents fell 35% in Côte d’Ivoire as it expands safety features and 24/7 support across Africa. Sports (Regional Football): Côte d’Ivoire is drawn in WAFU B U17 qualifiers Group B alongside Niger and Nigeria, while Ghana’s youth teams also face tough regional groups. Health Investment: Alan, backed by Kylian Mbappé, acquires Dakar-based Tanel, which operates in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, targeting 1m customers across Africa by 2030. Environment & Justice: Survivors in Abidjan still seek justice over the 2006 Probo Koala toxic waste dumping, with victims’ groups renewing calls for fair compensation.

Livestock Health: The Philippines has ordered a temporary ban on imports of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-susceptible animals and related products from at least 23 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, after lab-confirmed outbreaks were reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Cocoa Finance: FMO signed a €20m working capital facility with Ivory Cocoa Products to help fund cocoa bean procurement in Côte d’Ivoire, with a four-year structure including a €15m committed tranche. Gold Drilling: Aurum Resources reported high-grade gold intersections at its Boundiali BST1 deposit in Côte d’Ivoire, including 5.63m at 31.79 g/t and 0.50m at 104.13 g/t, saying mineralisation remains open for potential resource growth. Mobility Safety: Yango says its Africa safety rollout cut reckless driving incidents by 38% overall, with Côte d’Ivoire down 35%, alongside fewer post-trip complaints after privacy-protecting call tech. Sports—International Friendlies: Tanzania confirmed a September friendly against Ghana during the AFCON 2027 qualifying window, with Ghana also set to open qualification against Côte d’Ivoire. Football—Youth Qualifiers: WAFU Zone B U-17 qualifiers draw sets Ghana’s youth teams against tough regional rivals, while Côte d’Ivoire is grouped with Niger and Nigeria.

Cocoa Value Push in Abidjan: Côte d’Ivoire opened the 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days, with authorities saying they will raise local cocoa processing capacity from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026-2027 to capture more value as farmgate prices fall. Mining Drilling Update (Boundiali): Aurum Resources reported fresh high-grade gold intercepts from 22 diamond holes at its BST1 deposit in Côte d’Ivoire, including 5.63m at 31.79 g/t and 0.50m at 104.13 g/t, saying the system remains open for resource growth. Cocoa Processing & Youth Focus: The event’s theme—“Youth and the Cocoa Farming of the Future”—highlighted local processing, innovation and sustainable farming, alongside a maintained minimum guaranteed farmgate price of 1,200 CFA francs per kg. Urban Ambition: A major skyscraper project, Tour F in Abidjan, is set to be completed later this year, signaling renewed confidence in Côte d’Ivoire’s rebuilding and development drive. Regional Water Partnership: Global Water Challenge and Cargill expanded their Cargill Currents work, including ongoing programming in Côte d’Ivoire, targeting safer water, sanitation, watershed restoration and better farm water use.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire is doubling down on cocoa processing as farmgate prices fall. At the 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days in Abidjan, authorities said installed capacity should rise from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026-2027, with processing at about 30% last season (650,000 tonnes processed). Officials also called for more investment in research, resilient seedlings, mechanisation and better plant protection. Youth & Cocoa Future: The same event, themed “Youth and the Cocoa Farming of the Future,” brought together farmers, processors and exporters to discuss local processing, innovation and sustainable farming. Health Insurance Expansion: French insurer Alan, backed by Kylian Mbappé, acquired Dakar-based Tanel, which operates in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire and links employers to pharmacies and providers for about 70,000 members—aiming for 1 million customers across Africa by 2030. Urban Ambition in Abidjan: Construction is expected to finish later this year on Tour F, a 75-storey skyscraper set to become Africa’s tallest building, a fresh symbol of Côte d’Ivoire’s rebuilding and growth. Sports (Regional Youth Draw): Côte d’Ivoire is grouped with Niger and Nigeria in WAFU Zone B U-17 qualifiers, while the girls’ tournament in Côte d’Ivoire features Ghana vs Nigeria in a tough Group B.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire is ramping up local cocoa processing as farmgate prices fall, targeting capacity to rise from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026-2027, with new plants and a push for better seeds, mechanization and plant protection. Cocoa Industry Spotlight: The 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days opened in Abidjan under “Youth and the Cocoa Farming of the Future,” highlighting processing, innovation and sustainability. Rural Connectivity Upgrade: Côte d’Ivoire has completed the first phase of its XOF 38 billion rural connectivity programme (PNCR), set to link 575 communities and expand public e-services, with new telecom sites commissioned in Korhogo. Health Insurance Expansion: Alan, the French digital insurer backed by Kylian Mbappé, acquired Dakar-based Tanel, which already operates in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, aiming for one million customers across Africa by 2030. Sports & Regional Impact: In African qualifiers, Angola handed Côte d’Ivoire their biggest loss in nearly a decade, 91-70, after earlier setbacks in the window. Water Partnership: Global Water Challenge and Cargill expanded their Cargill Currents partnership to more countries, including ongoing work in Côte d’Ivoire, focused on safe water, sanitation and watershed restoration.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire is set to boost local cocoa processing capacity from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026-2027 as farmgate prices fall, with authorities pointing to new plants, more research, and better seeds and disease control. Cocoa Days in Abidjan: The 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days opened in Abidjan under the theme “Youth and the Cocoa Farming of the Future,” spotlighting processing, innovation, and sustainability as farmers face price pressure. Fair Income Pressure: Fairtrade Africa urged stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to close the living income gap, citing updated living income reference prices, including 1,758 CFA francs/kg for Côte d’Ivoire. Rural Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire commissioned the first phase of its XOF 38 billion rural connectivity programme, aiming to link 575 communities and expand public e-services. Health Insurance Expansion: Alan, backed by Kylian Mbappé, acquired Dakar-based Tanel, which operates in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, targeting one million customers across Africa by 2030. Sports—Ivory Coast in Focus: Côte d’Ivoire’s basketball campaign took a hit as Angola handed them their biggest loss in nearly a decade in the African qualifiers window.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire is moving to boost local cocoa processing as farmgate prices fall, with plans to raise installed capacity from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026-2027, alongside calls for better seeds, mechanization and stronger plant health. Cocoa Price Floor: The country also kept the minimum guaranteed cocoa farmgate price at 1,200 CFA francs per kg for 2026-2027. Cocoa Event in Abidjan: The 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days opened in Abidjan under the theme “Youth and the Cocoa Farming of the Future,” spotlighting processing, innovation and sustainability. Rural Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire commissioned the first phase of its XOF 38 billion rural digital connectivity programme (PNCR), targeting 575 localities to expand public e-services. US Deportation List: The US published an updated deportation list naming 427 people from West Africa, including 15 from Côte d’Ivoire. Sports—Basketball: Côte d’Ivoire beat Egypt 72-66 in the African qualifiers, with David Gassaud scoring 16 off the bench to help the Elephants improve to 7-1.

Abidjan Skyline Ambition: Construction is set to continue on the 75-story Tour F in Abidjan, expected to be finished later this year, with the tower designed to become Africa’s tallest—an unmistakable signal of Côte d’Ivoire’s post-rebuilding drive. Water & Farming Partnerships: Global Water Challenge and Cargill expanded their Cargill Currents partnership into Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica and Türkiye, while ongoing work continues in Côte d’Ivoire—aiming to improve safe water access, repair systems, support farming water efficiency and restore watersheds. Rural Digital Push: Côte d’Ivoire has completed the first phase of its XOF 38 billion rural connectivity programme (PNCR), targeting 575 localities and commissioning new telecom sites in Korhogo to boost coverage and public e-services. Cocoa Living Income Pressure: Fairtrade Africa urged stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to close the living income gap, citing Côte d’Ivoire’s new Fairtrade living income reference price of 1,758 CFA francs/kg. Sports—Ivory Coast Basketball: Côte d’Ivoire beat Egypt 72-66 in the African qualifiers, with David Gassaud shining off the bench as the Elephants improved to 7-1. Trade—Tobacco Leaf: Côte d’Ivoire remains Africa’s top tobacco leaf importer, taking 19.20% of the continent’s imports in 2024.

Rural Connectivity Push: Côte d’Ivoire has kicked off the first phase of its National Rural Connectivity Programme (PNCR), with XOF 38 billion earmarked to link 575 rural localities and expand access to public e-services, as new telecom sites were commissioned in Djebakaha (Korhogo). US Deportation List Update: The United States released an updated list of 427 people from 16 West African countries facing deportation, including 15 from Côte d’Ivoire, with charges ranging from money laundering to robbery and identity theft. Cocoa Income Pressure: Fairtrade Africa urged stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to close the living income gap, citing new living income reference prices—1,758 CFA per kg in Côte d’Ivoire. Basketball Qualifiers Shock: Côte d’Ivoire’s campaign took a hit as Angola handed them their biggest loss in nearly a decade, 91-70, in the FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers. Sports Streaming Deal: DAZN secured rights to broadcast LaLiga EA SPORTS across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2028/29, bringing all 380 matches per season to fans.