AGP Executive Report

Climate & Disaster Risk: A World Weather Attribution study says extreme West Africa rainfall is now about five times more likely than in the late 19th century, with the June 20–22 downpours hitting coastal cities from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria and overwhelming drainage systems. Digital Connectivity: CSquared says it boosted capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to improve route diversity and resilience, after recent undersea cable disruptions affecting the Abidjan corridor. Cocoa Tech & Industry: Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire push a “From Bean to Brand” agenda, signing the Abuja Declaration to create a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance aimed at shifting value to local processing. AI for Food Systems: The EU backs Coco-AI with €5.5M to use AI and plant cell culture to produce cocoa ingredients in bioreactors, targeting more stable supply. Energy & Offshore Engineering (Ivory Coast): SLB OneSubsea wins an EPC contract for Eni’s Baleine Phase 3 offshore Côte d’Ivoire, delivering subsea production systems for 13 wells. Local Digital Ads Growth: 365 Digital becomes an authorised Google Ads sales representative across Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, setting up an Africa Centre of Excellence. Finance & Policy (Abidjan): AfDB, UNDP and OECD launch the African Chief Economists Network to speed up coordinated, evidence-based economic policy responses.

Cocoa Value Addition: West African cocoa producers (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon) signed the Abuja Declaration to form a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance under “From Bean to Brand,” aiming to boost local processing, factories, and farmer incomes. Digital Ads Growth: 365 Digital became an authorised Google Ads sales representative across Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, launching an Africa Centre of Excellence to support campaign strategy and optimisation. Connectivity Resilience: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to strengthen route diversity and reduce the impact of past cable disruptions affecting West Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Offshore Tech for Côte d’Ivoire: SLB OneSubsea won a major EPC contract from Eni for Baleine Phase 3, delivering subsea production systems for 13 wells offshore Côte d’Ivoire. Energy Policy Platform: APPO NOC-CEO Forum will run in Cape Town on Oct 12 alongside African Energy Week, pushing integrated African refining, gas markets and regulation. Fintech Deal Watch: PayPal faces a $53B Stripe takeover bid, with PayPal’s Africa expansion efforts (including Nigeria) potentially reshaped by any deal. Space & Safety: A new push for Moon exploration highlights the growing threat of space junk around Earth.

Cocoa Value Addition: West African cocoa producers (Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon) signed the Abuja Declaration to create the Cocoa Value Addition Alliance, aiming to shift from exporting raw beans to local processing, factories, and better farmer incomes. Digital Growth in Côte d’Ivoire: 365 Digital became an authorised Google Ads sales representative across Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, Seychelles and Réunion, launching an Africa Centre of Excellence to boost campaign strategy, technical support and training. AI for Cocoa: The EU backed the Coco-AI project with €5.5M to use AI and plant cell culture to produce cocoa ingredients in bioreactors, targeting more resilient supply chains. Economic Policy Coordination: The AfDB, UNDP and OECD launched the African Chief Economists Network in Abidjan to speed up joint research and policy action on trade, debt, climate finance and macro stability. Connectivity & Data Infrastructure: Raxio plans a Tanzania data centre (TZ1) and raised its funding pool to $380m, while CSquared announced new capacity on the 2Africa West cable to reduce landing-hub concentration risk. Energy & Industry (Ivory Coast): OneSubsea won an Eni contract for Baleine Phase 3 subsea production systems offshore Côte d’Ivoire, reinforcing deepwater execution capacity.

Energy & Offshore Tech (Côte d’Ivoire): SLB OneSubsea (SLB/Aker/Subsea7 JV) won an EPC contract from Eni for Phase 3 of the Baleine deepwater project offshore Côte d’Ivoire, covering subsea production systems for 13 wells (trees, umbilicals, manifolds, multiphase flowmeters, control systems) plus installation and life-of-field support—another sign of fast-track expansion in the region. Digital Infrastructure: CSquared launched capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to add route diversity and reduce landing-station concentration risk across West and Central Africa, after recent Côte d’Ivoire-related subsea disruptions. Data Centres (Pan-Africa): Raxio raised its funding pool to $380m and is pushing into Tanzania, adding to its carrier-neutral footprint that already includes Ivory Coast. Policy for Resilience (Abidjan): The AfDB, UNDP and OECD wrapped the 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan with a call to turn resilience into economic self-reliance, trade resilience and stronger public policies. Cocoa Tech & Markets: Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana committed to cocoa market reform and farmer support as prices swing and climate pressure grows. Mining Update (Didievi): Montage Gold reported drilling progress at its Didievi project in Côte d’Ivoire, extending mineralization at Blaffo Guetto and outlining a 60,000m follow-up programme. AI in Education (West Africa): Korea’s Education Ministry and KERIS launched an advisory group of migrant-background students (including from Ivory Coast) to improve an AI-powered Korean learning platform.

Mining Update (Côte d’Ivoire): Montage Gold says it has drilled 39,963m at its Didievi project, extending high-grade mineralisation at the Blaffo Guetto deposit over 1.3km and down-dip, with standout intercepts like 15.0m at 20.97 g/t Au and 4.0m at 86.47 g/t Au; a new 60,000m programme is underway to expand and upgrade resources. Offshore Energy (Ivory Coast): SLB OneSubsea won an EPC contract from Eni for Baleine Phase 3, delivering subsea production systems for 13 wells offshore Côte d’Ivoire, including trees, manifolds, flowmeters and control systems, with local execution support. Digital Connectivity (West Africa): CSquared launched capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to add independent routing and reduce landing-hub concentration risk across West and Central Africa, after recent Côte d’Ivoire-related disruptions. Policy & Industry (Abidjan): The 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan ended with AfDB, UNDP and OECD calling for turning Africa’s resilience into economic strength via trade integration, local value addition, investment and stronger public policies. Energy Reform Spotlight (Edo State): The African Union invited Edo State’s power commissioner to discuss electricity-sector reforms in Abidjan, including plans for a 100MW gas-fired plant, renewables, mini-grids and regulatory framework work. Border Tech (Nigeria-Benin): Nigeria Customs and Benin’s counterpart agreed to use geospatial tools and a WCO satellite platform to improve border surveillance and target vulnerable points along the Seme corridor.

Subsea Energy Tech: OneSubsea (SLB/Aker/Subsea7 JV) won an EPC contract from Eni for Phase 3 of the Baleine deepwater project offshore Côte d’Ivoire, delivering the subsea production system for 13 wells—plus installation, commissioning and life-of-field support. Security & Forensics: Nigerian troops in Borno State repelled an ISWAP infiltration attempt at Cross Kauwa, recovering a Sony camcorder and footage that analysts say reveals how foreign expertise is increasingly woven into the insurgency’s operations. Digital Infrastructure Resilience: CSquared launched capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable system to add independent routing and reduce landing-hub concentration risk across West and Central Africa, with Abidjan highlighted as a key hub. Policy for Growth: The 2026 African Economic Conference in Abidjan ended with AfDB, UNDP and OECD calling for turning Africa’s resilience into economic strength via trade integration, local value addition, investment and stronger public policies. Cocoa Market Reform: Ivory Coast and Ghana pledged tighter cooperation and moves to raise cocoa farmers’ pay as prices swing and climate risks like El Niño pressure the sector. Regional Tech Diplomacy: India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed Digital Public Infrastructure cooperation (UPI/Aadhaar) alongside agro-processing and farm mechanisation plans.

Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity: CSquared launched capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to cut route concentration risk around landing hubs like Abidjan, after recent cable cuts near Côte d’Ivoire disrupted regional services. Data Centres Investment: Raxio raised its funding pool to $380m and is expanding carrier-neutral facilities, already operating in Côte d’Ivoire and other African markets. Cocoa Market Reform: Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana pledged tighter regional cooperation and pay support for cocoa farmers as prices swung sharply and farm-gate cuts hit livelihoods. Energy & Grid Modernisation: Beacon Power Services signed on as sponsor/technical partner of Abidjan-based APUA to back research and digital tools for utility grid visibility and loss reduction. Water Security Research: IUCN highlighted how population growth and climate-driven rainfall shifts are intensifying water stress and transboundary pressures across West Africa. Policy, Trade & Education Finance: UNESCO urged debt-for-education swaps, citing cases including Ivory Coast school construction, while the AfDB/UNDP/OECD African Economic Conference in Abidjan pushed trade resilience and stronger African agency. Geopolitics & Diplomacy: A U.S. top diplomat (Frank Garcia) is set to visit Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali amid intensifying great-power competition.

Border Tech & Security: Nigeria Customs and Benin’s counterpart are partnering on geospatial technology to spot vulnerable border points and deploy officers for targeted action along the Seme corridor, using a World Customs Organisation satellite platform. Digital Cooperation: India and Côte d’Ivoire are discussing Digital Public Infrastructure, including UPI-style systems, plus an MoU track, while India also pushes farm mechanisation and agro-processing capacity building. Power Grid Analytics: Beacon Power Services will sponsor and support the Abidjan-based Association of Power Utilities of Africa through 2028, backing research and digital frameworks to cut losses from weak metering and non-technical theft. Education Finance: UNESCO urges wider debt-for-education swaps, citing that many countries now spend more on debt servicing than schooling, and points to Ivory Coast as a recent example. Cocoa & Deforestation Rules: The World Cocoa Foundation rolls out a new deforestation risk assessment methodology for supply chains as EU deforestation and due-diligence laws near. Local Jobs Reality: In Abidjan, youth face limited steady employment, with some turning to part-time teaching and social media for income.

World Cup Tech & Sports Governance: FIFA said there’s “no evidence” that a ball hit a camera wire in England’s goal during the England–Norway quarterfinal, after Norway players protested the incident in Miami. Youth & Jobs in Côte d’Ivoire: A new report spotlights how many young Ivorians keep chasing employment despite weak odds, juggling part-time work and side hustles to survive. Digital Skills for Employability: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX are funding XOF 700 million for 6–8 weeks of training to boost youth employability, including AI career essentials, data analytics, and entrepreneurship tracks. Power Sector Innovation (Abidjan): Beacon Power Services will back the Abidjan-based Association of Power Utilities of Africa with research and digital-framework work through 2028, aiming to cut losses and modernize grids. Science & Nature: Researchers highlight the West African slender-snouted crocodile, a rare species that climbs trees and remains poorly understood, underscoring conservation urgency. Education Finance: UNESCO urges wider debt-for-education swaps, citing a growing crisis where many countries spend more on debt servicing than schooling.

Digital Cooperation: India and Côte d’Ivoire officials met in Abidjan to discuss Digital Public Infrastructure, including UPI-style systems, plus an MoU on bilateral tech collaboration. Power & Grid Tech: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX are funding XOF 700m for 6–8 weeks of youth digital training, including AI career skills and data analytics. Space for Development: Abidjan hosted the 2nd African Space Solutions Market (July 7–9), showcasing satellite imagery, drones, AI and Earth observation for farming and land-tenure solutions. Energy Utilities Research: Beacon Power Services will sponsor and partner with the Abidjan-based Association of Power Utilities of Africa through 2028, backing grid research and digital transformation. Education Finance: UNESCO urged wider debt-for-education swaps, citing that many countries spend more on debt service than schooling, with Ivory Coast cited as a beneficiary of such deals. Biodiversity & Food Security: A new cocoa deforestation risk assessment methodology was unveiled, while fertilizer trade disruptions from the Persian Gulf conflict raise concerns for African farm inputs and food prices. Science & Environment: Researchers reported genetic signs of multiple human-driven introductions of invasive blackchin tilapia in Thailand, highlighting how transport spreads species.

Digital Diplomacy (Côte d’Ivoire–India): In Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation Djibril Ouattara met India’s officials to discuss Digital Public Infrastructure, including UPI-style payments and Aadhaar, plus an MoU on cooperation. Power & Grid Analytics (Abidjan): Beacon Power Services will sponsor and partner with the Association of Power Utilities of Africa through 2028, backing research and digital tools to cut losses and modernize utility grids in member countries. Youth Tech Skills (Côte d’Ivoire): MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX invest XOF 700 million for 6–8 weeks of training for young people, including AI career skills, data analytics, and entrepreneurship. Space for Development (Abidjan): The 2nd African Space Solutions Market opens July 7–9, showcasing satellite imagery, drones, geomatics, and AI for agriculture and land tenure solutions. Education Finance (Global, with Côte d’Ivoire link): UNESCO urges wider debt-for-education swaps, citing a France–Ivory Coast deal that helped build 30+ schools. Energy Access (Liberia): Liberia’s solar boom is expanding rural electricity via record panel imports, but experts warn about quality and e-waste/fire risks. Invasive Fish Genetics (Regional science): A genetic study traces human-driven spread of invasive blackchin tilapia, with origins linked to West Africa including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Climate Governance (West Africa): Lagos tops the West Africa Climate Governance Index, scoring highest among ECOWAS sub-national governments. Fertilizer Trade Shock (Food security): WTO data links Persian Gulf conflict to fertilizer disruptions, raising risks of shortages and price hikes. Aviation Policy (Zimbabwe, AfCFTA/SAATM): Zimbabwe reviews bilateral air service agreements to reduce protectionism and expand routes under the Single African Air Transport Market.

Power Sector Partnership: Beacon Power Services will sponsor and support the Abidjan-based Association of Power Utilities of Africa through 2028, backing research and digital grid-analytics work to cut power losses and modernize ageing networks. Digital Skills in Côte d’Ivoire: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX invest XOF 700 million in AI, data analytics, entrepreneurship and freelancing training for youth to boost employability. Space Tech in Abidjan: The second African Space Solutions Market opens July 7–9 in Abidjan, showcasing satellite imagery, geomatics, AI, drones and Earth observation for agriculture and development, including land-tenure use cases. Education Finance: UNESCO urges wider debt-for-education swaps, warning 113 countries now spend more on debt servicing than on schooling, and cites examples including Ivory Coast school construction. Climate & Floods: A continent-wide flood wave is blamed on climate change plus planning gaps, with West Africa seeing severe urban flooding including in Accra and Côte d’Ivoire. Fertilizer Disruption: WTO data links Persian Gulf conflict to urea and phosphate trade shocks, raising fears of shortages and food-price pressure in vulnerable economies. Energy Access (Liberia): Liberia’s solar boom is expanding electricity access with record panel imports, but experts warn about equipment quality and e-waste/fire risks. Regional Finance (ECOWAS): EBID approves $417m for transport, healthcare, housing finance and regional connectivity, including a major Trans-Saharan Highway segment in Nigeria.

Digital Skills for Youth: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX are funding XOF 700 million for 6–8 weeks of training for young people, including AI career essentials, data analytics, and entrepreneurship tracks. Space & Innovation in Abidjan: The 2nd African Space Solutions Market opened in Abidjan (July 7–9), showcasing satellite imagery, drones, geomatics, and AI use-cases like land tenure support for farmers. Education Finance: UNESCO urges governments and lenders to expand debt-for-education swaps, warning 113 countries now spend more on debt servicing than on schooling—citing Côte d’Ivoire as an example of school construction funded via such deals. Cocoa Supply-Chain Risk: The World Cocoa Foundation unveiled a new Active Deforestation Risk Assessment methodology for cocoa supply chains, aiming to meet upcoming EU deforestation rules. Regional Development Finance: EBID approved $417m for West Africa projects across transport, healthcare, housing finance, mining, and regional connectivity. Climate Governance Spotlight: Lagos topped the West Africa Climate Governance Index, scoring 86.3/100 and ranking ahead of Abidjan’s autonomous district.

Digital Skills & AI Training: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX are funding XOF 700 million for 6–8 weeks of youth training in AI career essentials, data analytics, entrepreneurship and freelancing. Cocoa Supply Chain Tech: The World Cocoa Foundation unveiled a new Active Deforestation Risk Assessment methodology for cocoa supply chains, aiming to help firms meet tightening EU deforestation rules amid disease and price volatility hitting Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Space for Development in Abidjan: The 2nd African Space Solutions Market opens in Abidjan (July 7–9), showcasing satellite imagery, drones, AI and Earth observation, with startups like Geofonex pushing land-tenure solutions. Energy & Payments Innovation: Liberia’s BanffPay secured a Central Bank PSP license to launch the country’s first unified pay-in/pay-out API, while Liberia’s solar boom grows fast—though experts warn about equipment quality and access gaps. Offshore Oil Tech for Côte d’Ivoire: Eni’s Baleine Phase 3 contract will bring a new FPSO vessel (90,000 bpd) to Côte d’Ivoire’s coast, boosting production and feeding gas to the domestic market. Transport Finance: AfDB approved €205m for Morocco’s high-speed rail upgrades, improving corridor connectivity and logistics. Environment & Health: Wildfires and extreme heat in Europe are driving evacuations and raising health risks, from respiratory strain to heart stress.

Space & Innovation (Abidjan): The 2nd African Space Solutions Market opens in Abidjan (July 7–9), bringing together researchers, investors and startups to showcase satellite imagery, geomatics, AI, drones and Earth observation for Africa’s development. Local startup Geofonex pitches COST Network for land tenure security, while Drone Group highlights drone-based data collection for businesses. Offshore Energy (Côte d’Ivoire): Eni and Altera Infrastructure move ahead with Baleine Phase 3, signing for a new FPSO to be built in China by Wison New Energies—targeting up to 90,000 bpd oil and 160 million cubic feet of gas daily, with gas allocated to Côte d’Ivoire’s domestic market. Regional Development Finance (ECOWAS): EBID approves $417mn for five West Africa projects, including a $260mn Trans-Saharan Highway segment in Nigeria, plus support for healthcare, housing finance, mining and regional connectivity. Fintech (Liberia): BanffPay (Liberia) secures a Central Bank PSP license to launch Liberia’s first unified Pay-In/Pay-Out API, aiming to simplify digital payments for merchants, fintechs and institutions. Biosecurity (Science): A genetic study links invasive blackchin tilapia in Thailand to multiple introductions and human-mediated transfers, tracing origins that may include Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Digital Governance (Cambodia): Cambodia boosts AI governance and digital literacy via tech centres and school computer labs, and promotes its verify.gov.kh verification platform in UN tech talks.

Space & Innovation: Space in Africa’s NewSpace Africa Conference Impact Report (2022–2026) says the event has grown from 100 delegates to nearly 700 across 73 countries, positioning it as a top African space policy and investment platform. Racism & Sports Media: World Cup coverage is again under fire after racially coded remarks about African teams and Black players, including comments tied to Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, sparking renewed debate on stereotypes in football commentary. Digital Payments (Liberia): BanffPay wins a Central Bank of Liberia PSP license to launch Liberia’s first unified Pay-In/Pay-Out API, aiming to simplify business and consumer payments through one integration. Energy Access (Liberia): Liberia’s solar boom is expanding electricity reach with record panel imports, but experts warn about equipment quality, e-waste, and fire risks. Oil & Gas (Côte d’Ivoire): Altera and Eni move ahead on Baleine Phase 3 with a newbuild FPSO deal: 90,000 bpd oil, 160 mcf/d gas, and 1.4 million barrels storage, with gas earmarked for Côte d’Ivoire’s domestic market. Regional Development (ECOWAS): EBID approved $417m for West Africa projects, including transport, healthcare, housing finance, mining, and regional connectivity, while planning to double its balance sheet over five years. Fintech & Infrastructure (West Africa): Equinix’s purchase of MainOne signals continued growth in data center connectivity across the region, with local cities needing reliable power and services to benefit.