AGP Executive Report

Cocoa Integrity: A new Ivory Coast cocoa study by ETH Zurich affiliates found manipulated data in at least 1 in 4 traceability audits, raising fresh concerns ahead of delayed EU deforestation rules. Health Tech & Pharma: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it has started producing affordable generic hydroxyurea in Africa, aiming to cut sickle-cell treatment costs and improve access across West Africa. Energy Access: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with solar mini-grids highlighted as key for rural electrification in Francophone West Africa including Côte d’Ivoire. Agriculture & Trade: West Africa is pushing to speed up regional seed movement, so certified varieties can be multiplied and sold across borders more easily. Côte d’Ivoire Industry: The country’s cashew sector report points to continued growth and a push toward more processing capacity, while a separate coconut replanting plan targets 100,000 hectares over the next decade. Digital Ports: Singapore’s maritime digital twin approach is being used to simulate port decisions before investing—an idea relevant for African port upgrades.

Space & Design: Studio Khoa Vu’s “Lunar Cavern” project draws inspiration from the Moon’s dark side, blending architecture, interiors, and spatial installations. Climate & Food Tech: El Niño is already hitting global markets, with knock-on effects for agriculture and commodities—an early warning for food and energy planning. Energy Access: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, and off-grid solar mini-grids are flagged as key for expanding electricity access in Francophone West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Agritech & Trade: West Africa is pushing to speed up regional seed movement, aiming to make cross-border variety recognition work in practice. Cocoa Integrity: A Côte d’Ivoire cocoa study finds manipulated data in 1 in 4 traceability audits, raising pressure as deforestation rules loom. Health Tech & Local Production: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma is producing Africa-made hydroxyurea for sickle cell—an important model for affordable treatment access across West Africa. Côte d’Ivoire Built Environment: Abidjan’s Tour F is set to rise in the Administrative City, with plans for a public glass “lantern” viewpoint. Agriculture Investment: Côte d’Ivoire is launching a coconut replanting push to restore production after major declines.

El Niño & Food Systems: A new report links the strongest El Niño in years to shocks in global supply chains, with insect-protein firms like Innovafeed benefiting as anchovy catches fall and fish-feed prices spike. Solar for Rural Power: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, while off-grid solar mini-grids are highlighted as a practical fix for low rural electrification in Francophone West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Cocoa Integrity Under Pressure: ETH Zurich research finds about 1 in 4 cocoa traceability audits in Côte d’Ivoire show manipulated data, raising alarms ahead of EU deforestation rules. Côte d’Ivoire Agriculture & Trade: West Africa is pushing to speed regional seed movement, and Côte d’Ivoire is also moving to revive coconuts with a replanting plan targeting 100,000 hectares over the decade. Health Tech & Local Manufacturing: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma is producing affordable generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell—an example of how local drug production can cut costs and improve access across West Africa. Mining & Investment Signals: Allied Gold and Zijin Gold pivot after a failed $4bn takeover, while gold-focused drilling updates from Côte d’Ivoire keep investor attention on projects like Bonikro.

Solar Push: Africa is on track for a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with solar mini-grids flagged as key for rural electrification in Francophone West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Cocoa Integrity: A new ETH Zurich study says at least 1 in 4 cocoa traceability audits in Côte d’Ivoire show manipulated data to meet sustainability targets—raising pressure as EU deforestation rules loom. Coconut Replanting: Côte d’Ivoire is launching an ambitious coconut replanting drive aimed at 100,000 hectares over the next decade after production fell sharply, with 2,000 hectares planned for 2027. Health Tech & Pharma: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma is producing Africa-made hydroxyurea for sickle cell, cutting reliance on expensive imports—an important regional signal for affordable treatment. Agri Trade & Policy: West Africa is working to speed up regional seed movement, while Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire deepen cooperation on high-tech agriculture and processing models. Mining Update: Aurum Resources’ latest high-grade gold assay results from its Boundiali project in Côte d’Ivoire lift market sentiment.

Gold Deal Fallout: Allied Gold and Zijin Gold have scrapped a planned US$4bn takeover after cross-border regulatory hurdles, but Zijin is still injecting US$295m via a private placement for a 9.2% stake—an update that keeps attention on Côte d’Ivoire’s Bonikro gold project and its extended mine plan to 2036. Solar Push: New analysis says Africa could hit a record 17GW of solar installations in 2026, with solar mini-grids highlighted as a practical fix for low rural electrification in Francophone West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Cocoa Integrity Under Scrutiny: A study on Côte d’Ivoire cocoa audits finds manipulated sustainability records in about 1 in 4 cases, raising pressure ahead of EU deforestation rules and spotlighting how farm-level monitoring can be gamed. Coconut Replanting Plan: Côte d’Ivoire has launched an ambitious coconut replanting drive aiming for 100,000 hectares over the next decade to reverse falling production, with 2,000ha targeted for 2027. Health Tech & Pharma: Senegal’s move to produce affordable generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell is a reminder of the region’s push toward local manufacturing to cut treatment costs and improve access.

Cocoa Integrity: A new ETH Zurich study on Côte d’Ivoire cocoa audits says about 1 in 4 sustainability monitoring cases show manipulated data, raising fresh concerns ahead of the delayed EU deforestation rules. Child Labour Progress: Ferrero and Save the Children report gains from the Cacao Connect initiative in Ivorian cocoa communities, including more education access and reduced poverty levels. Sickle Cell Tech: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it has started producing an Africa-made generic hydroxyurea, aiming to cut costs and improve access for patients across West Africa. Agri-Processing Cooperation: Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire’s parliamentary leaders visited high-tech rice and seafood processing models in Can Tho, pushing for stronger agricultural trade and know-how transfer. Coconut Replanting: Côte d’Ivoire launched an active replanting push to restore coconut production, targeting 100,000 hectares over the decade as output has fallen sharply. Digital Ports: Singapore’s maritime digital twin approach is highlighted as a way to simulate port decisions using live and historical data—an idea relevant for African port planning. Telecom Growth: MTN reported strong H1 2026 sales and earnings growth, with notable momentum in Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Malaria Treatment Misconceptions: New research highlights how many patients stop malaria drugs once symptoms ease, fueling avoidable setbacks and stressing better adherence and patient education. Cocoa Traceability Integrity: ETH Zurich-linked research finds about 1 in 4 cocoa sustainability audits in Côte d’Ivoire show manipulated records, especially when farms miss targets—raising stakes ahead of EU deforestation rules. Telemedicine in Abidjan: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations to reduce travel and waiting times, managing minor cases remotely while easing pressure on hospitals. Sickle Cell Drug Access: A Senegalese lab is producing generic hydroxyurea locally for the first time in Africa, aiming to cut costs and improve treatment availability across West Africa. Coconut Replanting Push: Côte d’Ivoire plans to replant 100,000 hectares of coconut over the next decade to reverse declining production. Cashew Processing Upgrade: Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew sector is pushing processing transformation and investment as it remains the world’s top producer. Port Planning Tech: Singapore’s maritime digital twin approach shows how African ports could simulate decisions before spending on infrastructure. Industrialisation Rankings: AfDB’s Africa Industrialisation Index puts Morocco first, while Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal break into the top 10, signaling shifting industrial momentum.

Telemedicine in Abidjan: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases, connecting patients across Abidjan with doctors online. Health & Pharma: Senegal’s Teranga Pharma says it has started producing an Africa-made generic hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease, aiming to lower costs and ease access across West Africa. Cocoa Integrity: A study on Côte d’Ivoire cocoa audits found about 1 in 4 sustainability monitoring cases may include manipulated records, raising concerns ahead of EU deforestation rules. Agriculture & Trade: Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire parliamentary leaders are exchanging agricultural development models in Can Tho, with rice processing and export know-how in focus. Coconut Replanting: Côte d’Ivoire has launched an interim plan to replant coconut trees, targeting 100,000 hectares over the next decade to reverse declining production. Digital Ports: Singapore’s maritime digital twin approach is highlighted as a way to simulate port decisions before investing—relevant for West African port planning.

Cocoa Supply-Chain Integrity: A new ETH Zurich-linked study warns that at least 1 in 4 cocoa traceability audits in Côte d’Ivoire show manipulated sustainability data, especially when auditors know the certification target—raising fresh concerns ahead of EU deforestation rules. Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center in Abidjan is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases like malaria tests, easing pressure on hospitals. Coconut Replanting Push: Côte d’Ivoire is rolling out an ambitious coconut replanting plan to restore production, targeting 100,000 hectares over the next decade with early hectares planned for 2027. Digital Ports Planning: Singapore’s “maritime digital twin” approach is highlighted as a model for African ports—simulating vessel and weather scenarios to test decisions before spending. Health Tech (Regional): Senegal’s first generic hydroxyurea production for sickle cell is reported as a major cost and access breakthrough across West Africa. Security & Crime Networks: Interpol’s Operation Jackal IV reports 58 arrests across 22 countries, targeting West African money-laundering and cyber-enabled fraud networks.

Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases in Abidjan, showing how digital health can expand access. Cocoa Integrity & Audits: A new study flags weaknesses in sustainability audits on cocoa farms, with auditors reportedly adjusting records to help farms “pass,” raising concerns for EU-linked compliance. Coconut Replanting Push: Côte d’Ivoire has launched an interim plan to replant coconut trees, targeting 100,000 hectares over the decade after production fell sharply from 1980s–90s levels. Agri Tech Cooperation: Ivorian and Vietnamese National Assembly leaders visited high-tech rice and seafood processing models in Can Tho, aiming to scale lessons for Côte d’Ivoire’s productivity and processing capacity. Digital Infrastructure Deal: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed an MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop telecom and digital public infrastructure across Africa. MTN Growth in West Africa: MTN reported strong H1 2026 sales and earnings growth, citing subscriber expansion in markets including Côte d’Ivoire.

Coconut Revival: Côte d’Ivoire has kicked off an ambitious coconut replanting push, targeting 100,000 hectares over the next decade to reverse a steep production drop (about 150,000 tonnes now vs ~480,000 tonnes in the 1980s-90s). The program is already active, with 2,000 ha planned for 2027 and selected planters set to benefit, though timelines will depend on climate. Telemedicine in Abidjan: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases across Abidjan, easing pressure on hospitals for issues like malaria tests and basic symptoms. Cocoa Supply Chain Scrutiny: A new study in Science flags weaknesses in cocoa farm sustainability audits in Côte d’Ivoire, finding record alterations in about one in four monitoring cases—especially where farms initially missed planting benchmarks—raising concerns for EU-linked deforestation rules. Agri Tech Learning Tour: Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly President Patrick Achi met Vietnam’s National University of Agriculture in Hanoi, looking to replicate Vietnam’s higher rice productivity and agro-processing gains. Digital Infrastructure Deal: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed a MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop telecom and digital infrastructure across Africa, including fibre, 4G/5G, connectivity assets, and digital public infrastructure.

Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases in Abidjan, showing how digital health can expand access beyond hospital walls. Cocoa Integrity & EU risk: A Science study on 407 Côte d’Ivoire cocoa farms finds auditors may alter records to hit sustainability benchmarks, raising red flags for “sustainable” claims and EU deforestation compliance. Digital infrastructure push: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed a MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop fibre, 4G/5G, submarine connectivity, towers, satellite links, and digital public infrastructure across Africa. Border security research: LASU and Nigeria’s Immigration Service convened researchers, policymakers and border communities to tackle migration, security and socio-cultural integration—an approach relevant to West Africa’s cross-border realities. ECOWAS data modernization: ECOWAS is running Abidjan workshops to improve migration and macroeconomic statistics quality and harmonization under PHASAOC. Fertiliser worries for cocoa: Commodity analysis flags potential fertiliser shortages across West Africa, with cocoa farmers among those at risk. MTN subscriber momentum: MTN reported strong H1 growth, citing accelerated subscriber gains in markets including Ghana and Nigeria, with Côte d’Ivoire also mentioned.

Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center in Abidjan is using video consultations to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases like malaria tests, easing pressure on hospitals. Digital infrastructure push: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed a strategic MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop telecom and digital public infrastructure across Africa, including fibre, 4G/5G, submarine connectivity, towers, satellite links, and digital identity and payments. Agriculture skills exchange: Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly President Patrick Achi visited Vietnam National University of Agriculture, looking to learn from Vietnam’s rice productivity, agro-processing, and market organization to boost local output. Regional policy and data: ECOWAS is running Abidjan workshops to improve migration statistics and harmonize macroeconomic data frameworks for better regional planning. Cocoa supply stress: New reporting flags fertiliser shortages risk for cocoa and other key crops in West Africa, with input gaps threatening next season’s yields.

Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center is using telemedicine since 2019 to connect Abidjan patients with doctors via video calls, cutting travel time and easing pressure on hospitals for minor issues like malaria tests and early symptoms. Digital infrastructure push: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed a MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop telecom and digital infrastructure across Africa, covering fibre backbones, 4G/5G, submarine cable landing support, internet exchange points, towers, satellite links, and digital public infrastructure. Regional data modernization: ECOWAS is running two Abidjan workshops (Aug 18–22) to improve migration statistics and harmonize macroeconomic data compilation across member states under PHASAOC. Health research trial: Tanzania launched the PRORota clinical trial to test whether probiotics can boost rotavirus vaccine protection, reduce childhood diarrhoea, and lower antibiotic use, with partners including Ivory Coast. Agriculture risk: West Africa faces warnings of possible major fertiliser shortages affecting cocoa and other key crops, with input gaps already straining farmer incomes. Workforce skills: UBA inducted 374 graduate inductees into its Graduate Management Accelerator Programme, including 29 from Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing a tech-enabled customer service focus.

Digital Infrastructure & Telecom: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed a MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile SARL to develop fibre, 4G/5G, submarine connectivity, towers, satellite links (VSAT/LEO) and digital public infrastructure like digital ID, interoperability, e-gov and payments across Africa. Port & Logistics Tech: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and pulling ahead of Abidjan, with growth tied to transshipment and ultra-large vessels. Cocoa Tech & Farm Inputs: New warnings point to possible fertiliser shortages hitting cocoa and other key crops in 2027, while EU deforestation rules are tightening traceability demands for West African exporters. Regional Data & Integration: ECOWAS is running Abidjan workshops to improve migration and macroeconomic statistics quality and harmonization. Health Research: Tanzania launched a clinical trial testing whether probiotics can boost rotavirus vaccine protection and cut diarrhoea and antibiotic use, with partners including Côte d’Ivoire. Mining & Exploration: Dalaroo Metals secured funding for continued exploration at its Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.

US Immigration Ruling: A New York federal judge struck down Trump’s blanket immigrant visa freeze for 75 countries, calling it “patently unlawful” and restoring case-by-case consular discretion—an immediate win for many African families. Sahel Security Insight: A new Global Terrorism Index report says the Sahel has become the deadliest terrorism hotspot, driven by shocks since 2011–2012 and now affecting countries including Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Cocoa Supply Pressure (Côte d’Ivoire): Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire report delayed payments and ongoing poverty despite cocoa’s global importance, while new warnings point to potential fertiliser shortages that could hit cocoa yields. Digital Infrastructure Deal: AI-first Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signed an MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire-based Afro Mobile SARL to develop telecom and digital public infrastructure across Africa, including fibre, 4G/5G, connectivity and digital identity. ECOWAS Data Modernisation: ECOWAS is running Abidjan workshops to improve migration statistics and harmonise macroeconomic data systems across member states. Tech for Finance: Veefin and NSIA Group will expand digital supply chain finance across five West African markets, aiming to speed SME working-capital access.