AGP Executive Report

Spectrum & Telecom Governance: Côte d’Ivoire’s AIGF is set to unveil its radio frequency management roadmap at a Sept. 29, 3pm public tribune in Abidjan, with a focus on interference-free, secure spectrum for mobile, broadcast and emergency services. Gold Mining Ramp-Up: Montage Gold says it has poured first gold at its Koné mine—about 1,140 ounces—months ahead of schedule, with oxide circuit ramping to commercial production by end-2026 and hard-rock works on track for 2Q 2027. Cocoa Supply Chain Traceability: Côte d’Ivoire’s national cocoa traceability system logged 50,085 tons in the first two weeks of the 2026-27 campaign, while port receipts rose 51.6% year-on-year, signaling stronger export flow and origin tracking. Oil & Gas Investment Signals: Petrobras has signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire, taking a 90% stake per block with Petroci holding 10%, as the company expands exploration beyond Brazil. Regional Water Security: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted the Abidjan Declaration at a West Africa Regional Water Forum, pushing stronger shared-river governance to tackle water insecurity and climate pressures. Women & Finance for Growth: AfDB’s AFAWA launched a four-day learning event in Côte d’Ivoire on improving women entrepreneurs’ access to finance and digital business growth.

Mining & Jobs: Montage Gold hit first gold pour at its Koné mine in Côte d’Ivoire, on budget and ahead of schedule, with oxide-circuit ramp-up pushing commercial production toward Q4 2026 and hard-rock work still targeted for Q2 2027. Cocoa Supply Chain: Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa traceability system logged 50,085 tons in two weeks, while port receipts rose 51.6% year-on-year—another step toward tighter origin and sustainability controls. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS adopted the Abidjan Declaration at a regional water forum, aiming to strengthen shared river management and climate resilience for food security and economic transformation. Agri-Industry Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire extended the Cotton-Cashew Council’s mandate to regulate and develop the mango sector, with export continuity a key focus amid fruit-fly risks. Logistics & Trade Finance: Afriland First Bank and Sky Motors launched Sky Logistics in Cameroon, while regional efforts continue to tighten customs compliance and curb smuggling. Energy & Food Innovation: Soufflet Malt and Eat the Truth are using fermentation to create cocoa-like flavours for food and non-alcoholic drinks—relevant for local processing and ingredient security.

Cocoa Supply Chain: Côte d’Ivoire’s national cocoa traceability system logged 50,085 tons in the first two weeks of the 2026-2027 campaign, with port receipts up 51.6% year-on-year as Abidjan and San Pedro received 21,467 tons by Sept. 20. Agri-Sector Governance: The government extended the Cotton, Cashew and Shea Council (CCAK) mandate to regulate, monitor and develop the mango sector, aiming to protect exports amid fruit-fly pressure. Energy & LNG: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan, targeting LNG imports from Q3 2027 to support rising power demand. Oil Exploration: Petrobras secured production-sharing contracts for eight offshore exploration blocks in Côte d’Ivoire, taking a 90% stake alongside Petroci’s 10%. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan to review regional IWRM progress and set recommendations for the next ministerial review. Tech & Startups: Yango’s 2026 fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions from cashless transport to smart waste and community health visibility. Trade & Compliance: Stakeholders warned traders and customs agents against smuggling, false declarations and duty evasion to protect legitimate business and revenue.

Cocoa Supply Chain: Côte d’Ivoire’s National Traceability System logged 50,085 tons of cocoa beans in the first two weeks of the 2026-2027 campaign (Sept 7–20), with port receipts up 51.6% year-on-year; 770 cooperatives and approved buyers covered transactions tied to 70,525 producers, with Abidjan and San Pedro receiving 21,467 tons by Sept 20. Agri-Sector Regulation: The government extended the Cotton, Cashew and Shea Council (CCAK) mandate to regulate, monitor and develop the mango sector, aiming to protect exports amid fruit-fly pressure. Energy & LNG Infrastructure: EXMAR secured a 10-year deal for a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan to support Côte d’Ivoire’s LNG imports for power generation, with regasified volumes targeted from Q3 2027. Logistics & Trade: Afriland First Bank Côte d’Ivoire and Sky Motors launched Sky Logistics SARL in Cameroon to build freight forwarding and transport services. Space & Science: Côte d’Ivoire signed the Artemis Accords in Abidjan during Africa Space Expo (ASPEX) 2026, expanding cooperation for lunar and deep-space exploration. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan as West Africa advances integrated water resources management.

Cosmetics & Local Brands: Togo’s Gaël de Souza says Gazelle d’Afrik is built to prove locally made natural cosmetics can match imported brands on quality and presentation. Oil & Gas Investment: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore exploration blocks in Côte d’Ivoire, taking a 90% stake (Petroci 10%), as it targets reserve replacement with $7.1bn earmarked for exploration. Digital Finance Policy: DASA 2026 in Accra invited Francophone West Africa into digital assets tokenization talks, pushing a “Francophone Bridge” for cross-border adoption. Cocoa Supply Pressure: Cocoa prices rose again on West African weather risks—rain delays in Côte d’Ivoire field-to-port movement and dryness in Ghana/Nigeria—while inventories at US ports fell to a four-month low. Côte d’Ivoire Mango Regulation: Government extended the Cotton-Cashew-Shea Council (CCAK) mandate to regulate and develop the mango sector, aiming to protect exports amid fruit-fly threats. LNG Import Step: EXMAR secured a 10-year FSRU lease for Côte d’Ivoire’s LNG import project at Port of Abidjan, targeting regasified supply for power from Q3 2027. Water Governance in Abidjan: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan on implementing regional IWRM resolutions. Logistics Expansion: Afriland First Bank Côte d’Ivoire and Sky Motors launched Sky Logistics SARL in Cameroon to build freight forwarding and transport services. Tech for Impact: Yango Fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions across cashless transport, merchant identity, health supply visibility, waste recycling and water testing.

Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore exploration blocks in Côte d’Ivoire, taking a 90% operating stake in each while Petroci holds 10%, as the firm looks to replenish reserves beyond Brazil. LNG & Power Infrastructure: EXMAR secured a 10-year lease for a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan, with LNG imports planned to start in Q3 2027 to feed CI-Energies for power generation. Cocoa Supply Signals: Cocoa prices climbed on weather-driven field disruption and tighter port inventories, while Ghana raised its 2026-27 farmgate price—raising the risk of cross-border smuggling that could keep global supply tight. Agri-Sector Governance: Côte d’Ivoire expanded CCAK’s mandate to regulate, monitor and develop the mango sector, aiming to protect exports amid fruit-fly pressure. Logistics & Mobility: Afriland Côte d’Ivoire chairman Jean Gakam and Sky Motors CEO Claude Le Cœur Massoh Ndong launched Sky Logistics SARL in Cameroon to build freight forwarding and transport capacity. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan, reviewing regional IWRM progress and next ministerial steps. Security & Industry Risk: Reports highlight jihadist expansion along West Africa’s coast, a growing threat to trade routes and industrial continuity.

Cocoa Supply Watch: Cocoa prices climbed for a second straight session as West Africa weather tightened. Heavy rain in Côte d’Ivoire kept farmers out of fields and slowed deliveries to ports, while dryness in Ghana and Nigeria damaged some crops; US port inventories also fell to a four-month low. Mango Sector Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire extended the Cotton-Cashew-Shea Council (CCAK) mandate to regulate, monitor and develop the mango sector, aiming to protect exports amid persistent fruit-fly threats. Logistics Push: Afriland Côte d’Ivoire chairman Jean Gakam and Sky Motors CEO Claude Le Cœur Massoh Ndong launched Sky Logistics SARL in Douala, signaling deeper regional freight and forwarding ambitions. Energy & LNG Infrastructure: EXMAR signed a 10-year FSRU lease for Côte d’Ivoire’s LNG import project at the Port of Abidjan, targeting regasified supply for power generation from Q3 2027. Finance & Industry Growth: Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire started trading on the BRVM, raising capital to support regional expansion. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS held key water governance talks in Abidjan, reviewing implementation of integrated water resources management across shared river basins. Security & Business Environment: ECOWAS Court urged to activate its arbitration role to unlock a stronger regional dispute-resolution hub for trade and investment.

World Bank Push for Jobs: Côte d’Ivoire says the World Bank Group’s active portfolio has hit $5.3bn across 25 projects, tied to the 2026–2030 plan targeting 3 million jobs for youth and women, with funding spanning education, infrastructure, agriculture and energy. Energy & LNG Infrastructure: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal for a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan, with LNG imports starting Q3 2027 to support power generation via CI-Energies and Petroci. Oil & Gas Investment Signals: SOCAR acquired a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore project off Côte d’Ivoire, joining Eni and Vitol as the field scales production. Agri-Industry & Food Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, aiming to expand organized industrial grain processing. Tech & Skills Pipeline: Yango’s 2026 Fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions from cashless transport payments to water-quality testing. Cocoa Market Watch: Dry West African conditions are lifting cocoa prices, with forecasts pointing to possible stress for the 2026/27 crop. Security/Industry Link: A Belarusian firm, Belspetsvneshtechnika, is seeking a contract to modernize Côte d’Ivoire’s Mi-17 helicopters, including engine replacement.

Cocoa & Weather: Cocoa prices are rising again as dry conditions in West Africa, especially the Ivory Coast, threaten the 2026/27 crop outlook; London and New York futures both climbed after below-normal rainfall forecasts and a weaker pound boosted sterling-priced contracts. Trade & Justice: At an ECOWAS Court conference in Dakar, a lawyer urged the court to fully activate its arbitration role to become a go-to hub for regional trade and investment disputes, aligning with AfCFTA dispute rules. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS opened a major water governance session in Abidjan, reviewing implementation of regional resolutions and setting recommendations for the next ministerial meeting—timely for a region with shared river basins. LNG for Power: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal for a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan to support Côte d’Ivoire’s LNG imports and rising power demand, with regasification deliveries planned from Q3 2027. Food Processing Investment: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill in Côte d’Ivoire with CEPICI support, targeting stronger local grain processing capacity. Health Logistics: Zipline will expand its drone delivery program in Côte d’Ivoire, adding facilities to reach up to 12 million people over eight years. Tech Talent Pipeline: Yango Fellowship 2026 wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows from six countries pitching solutions ranging from cashless transport payments to water-quality testing.

LNG & Power Infrastructure: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal for a 152,000 m³ FSRU at the Port of Abidjan to start LNG imports for Côte d’Ivoire’s power needs in Q3 2027, with regasified gas delivered to CI-Energies. Oil & Gas Investment: SOCAR entered Côte d’Ivoire’s upstream by taking a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore project (Eni 37.25%, Vitol 30%, Petroci 22.75%). Industrial & Food Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, targeting organized industrial development and grain processing expansion. Construction & Industrial Capacity: Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures highlighted digitalisation, circular economy and maintenance skills as Côte d’Ivoire pushes its building programme. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan, reviewing regional IWRM progress and Côte d’Ivoire’s 2023 Water Code reforms. Agri-Food Costs: Cocoa and sugar prices eased on global supply and weather signals, while analysts warn winter food prices could rise amid El Niño-linked volatility and higher input costs. Tech for Delivery & Health: Zipline will expand drone health deliveries in Côte d’Ivoire, adding facilities to reach about a third of the population over eight years. Finance & Capital Markets: Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire began trading on the BRVM after its public offer, adding new investors and funding for regional growth. SME Digital Services: NativeTalk launched an all-in-one business app for African SMEs, aiming to reduce fragmented customer communications. Innovation Pipeline: Yango Fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions spanning payments, merchant identity, health supply visibility, waste recycling and low-cost water testing.

Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed a 2-year oil and gas cooperation MoU with Mozambique’s ENH, while in Côte d’Ivoire it also moved deeper offshore with production-sharing contracts for eight exploratory blocks (Petrobras 90%, PETROCI 10%), adding momentum to Abidjan’s upstream push. Water Governance: Abidjan hosted ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILSS talks on integrated water resources management, reviewing regional resolutions as West Africa prepares for its first-ever regional water forum. World Bank Jobs Drive: The World Bank unveiled a $5.3bn active portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire (25 projects) under Abidjan Open Days, targeting 3 million jobs with focus on youth and women across infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health. Industrial & Food Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, aiming to strengthen grain processing and expand organized industrial output. Logistics & Digital Trade: Zipline will expand drone delivery in Côte d’Ivoire to cover about a third of the population, while a BRVM listing kicks off for Bridge Bank Côte d’Ivoire, boosting regional finance access. Energy/Tech for Industry: SOCAR acquired a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore project, and NTN Europe with OCP is advancing predictive maintenance—building skills and reducing downtime for industrial operators.

World Bank Jobs Push: Côte d’Ivoire says the World Bank Group’s active portfolio has hit $5.3bn across 25 projects, with a clear line to the national goal of creating 3 million jobs—spanning infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health. Industrial Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, aiming to deepen grain and food processing in an industrial zone. Construction & Equipment: At Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures, Neemba Côte d’Ivoire pitched a full delivery model—equipment availability, digitalisation, maintenance, reconditioning and training—framed as the answer to keeping the national building programme on schedule. Tech for Delivery & Health: Zipline will expand drone delivery in Côte d’Ivoire, adding nine facilities to serve up to 12m people over eight years under a government-paid operating-cost contract. Energy & Upstream Stakes: SOCAR completed a 10% stake purchase in Eni-operated Baleine offshore, reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s growing upstream momentum. Food Commodities Watch: Cocoa and sugar prices fell on supply and weather signals, with Côte d’Ivoire dryness raising near-term yield concerns. Textiles & Local Value: COIC (cotton) completed its takeover of wax fabric maker Uniwax, moving from raw cotton into finished cloth and strengthening Abidjan’s industrial textile base.

World Bank Push for Jobs: Côte d’Ivoire’s World Bank Group unveiled a $5.3bn active portfolio across 25 projects at Abidjan Open Days, tied to the 2026-2030 goal of creating 3 million jobs, with funding spanning infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health—aimed at turning financing into real business and employment outcomes. Industrial Upgrades in Construction: Neemba Côte d’Ivoire used Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures to argue for a full delivery chain—equipment availability, digitalisation, maintenance, reconditioning and training—after the Prime Minister called for deeper private-sector partnership on national building programmes. Food Processing Investment: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, focusing on site readiness, water access and industrial-zone placement to strengthen local grain and food processing capacity. Drone Health Logistics: Zipline will expand its Côte d’Ivoire drone delivery pilot, adding nine facilities to reach up to 12 million people over eight years, with government covering operating costs for cold chain, warehousing and digital tracking. Predictive Maintenance Tech: NTN Europe and OCP Maintenance Solutions partnered to scale AI-driven predictive maintenance, building on trials that already include deployments in Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire. Textile Deal: COIC completed its takeover of wax fabric maker Uniwax, taking 72.29% ownership and moving further from cotton into finished cloth manufacturing.

Textiles & Industrial Ownership: Ivorian cotton group COIC, led by Koné Daouda Soukpafolo, has completed its takeover of Abidjan wax fabric maker Uniwax, buying the Vlisco-held stake to reach 72.29% ownership and signaling a push from raw cotton into finished cloth, with COIC planning a direct governance role within 12 months. LNG & Power Infrastructure: Exmar has secured a 10-year lease for an FSRU in Abidjan with Côte d’Ivoire Energies and Petroci, targeting LNG imports from Q3 2027 to feed gas-to-power demand and strengthen energy security. Offshore Oil Exploration: Petrobras has signed to explore eight offshore blocks off Côte d’Ivoire’s equatorial margin under a production-sharing deal, with Petroci holding 10% and Petrobras operating via its subsidiary. Gold Value-Add: Simep will be able to refine up to 100 tonnes of gold annually, with the unit expected to start operations by end of H1 2027, as Côte d’Ivoire targets 100 tonnes by 2030. Logistics Costs: Shipping a 20-foot container from Abidjan to Douala nearly doubled in 2025 (+95%), raising regional trade friction for West African supply chains.

LNG Infrastructure in Abidjan: EXMAR secured a 10-year lease with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci for a 152,000 m³ FSRU (250 million ft³/d), with LNG imports starting 3Q27 and regasified gas feeding power generation—aimed at boosting energy security as demand rises. Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci 10%, expanding exploration on the equatorial margin. Offshore Oil Stake Moves: SOCAR completed a 10% acquisition in the Baleine project, joining Eni, Vitol and Petroci as the field scales up. Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units to curb illegal mining, with tougher penalties planned. Cocoa Market Pressure: Farmers were urged to stay calm after sharp farm-gate price drops for coffee and cocoa, blamed on shifting global supply expectations and domestic weather. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, making the route more expensive than Antwerp/Le Havre to Douala. Industrial Skills Push: China-Africa vocational education cooperation continues to build job-ready skills, with African competitors gaining pathways through skills competitions.

LNG & Power Buildout in Abidjan: Exmar signed a 10-year deal with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci for a 152,000 m³ FSRU (250 MMSCFD) in the Port of Abidjan, with LNG imports starting in Q3 2027 to feed gas-to-power demand—an energy-security push after earlier LNG plans stalled. Offshore Oil Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600…CI-702), taking a 90% operating stake via Petrobras Netherlands B.V., with Petroci Holding at 10%, aiming to replenish reserves along the equatorial margin. Gold Sector Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units to curb illegal gold mining, with tougher penalties and site rehabilitation plus reintegration for miners. Cocoa Market Pressure: Coffee and cocoa farmers were urged to stay calm as farm-gate prices fell sharply, blamed on shifting global supply expectations and severe domestic weather rather than collapsing demand. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs nearly doubled in 2025 (+95%), making the route more expensive than Antwerp/Le Havre links—raising pressure on regional supply chains. Investment Spotlight: Côte d’Ivoire will pitch its 2026–2030 plan at a New York Business and Investment Forum on Sept. 21, targeting infrastructure, energy, agriculture and technology with over US$80bn in financing intentions.