AGP Executive Report

Banking Probe: Investigators are examining an alleged 1.9 billion CFA franc fraud involving banks in Abidjan and Dakar, with forged transfer orders and initial arrests in Senegal. Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a 60 billion CFA franc sustainable bond to fund affordable housing and urban projects across the WAEMU region. Bank Expansion: Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, citing growth opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana. Digital Payments: Côte d’Ivoire’s Treasury is using the BCEAO’s instant-payment platform for bulk transfers, including salaries and subsidies, with real-time tracking. Trade: Côte d’Ivoire was the second-largest destination for Dutch onions in the 2025–26 season, receiving more than 212,000 tonnes. Digital Services: The government has begun a feasibility study for a national digital authentication platform and identity wallet.

Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a CFA60 billion sustainable bond to fund affordable, energy-efficient housing across the WAEMU. The five- and seven-year tranches carry rates of 6.10% and 6.30%, with IFC and Ecobank among the anchor investors. Banking: Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, building on opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana as reforms and growth attract investors. Digital Payments: Côte d’Ivoire’s Treasury is processing bulk payments through the WAEMU’s instant-payment platform, enabling real-time tracking of salaries, subsidies, taxes and other transfers. Digital Government: The government has begun a feasibility study for a national authentication platform and digital identity wallet to support access to public services. Trade and Investment: During talks in Abidjan, India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare. Energy: Vaalco has started a new drilling phase at the offshore Baobab field, with plans for four producers and three water injectors.

Digital Public Services: Côte d’Ivoire has launched a feasibility study for a national authentication platform and digital identity wallet, with an implementation roadmap due by January 2027. The project would build on existing government databases to make online services easier to access. India Partnership: Talks in Abidjan with Indian officials covered trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, alongside plans to deepen defence cooperation and training. Offshore Energy: Vaalco has begun Phase 5 drilling at the Baobab Field, planning four producers and three water injectors; the first new producer is expected online near year-end. Rural Land: The government aims to secure nine million hectares over the next decade, issue 1.5 million land certificates and formalise 1.5 million agricultural contracts to reduce disputes and support investment. Trade and Finance: Italy–Côte d’Ivoire trade reached €829.4 million in 2025, up 10.9% year on year. Côte d’Ivoire has also signed the UMOA Securities Market’s first 20-year issuance.

India-Ivory Coast Ties: Talks in Abidjan focused on trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, alongside defence training and anti-terrorism cooperation. India also highlighted its ITEC programme, which offers nearly 10,000 funded training places annually across more than 160 countries. Oil & Gas: Vaalco has started drilling at the Baobab field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with four planned producers and the first expected online near year-end. Land & Agriculture: The government aims to secure nine million hectares of rural land over ten years, issuing 1.5 million land certificates and formalising 1.5 million agricultural contracts to reduce disputes and support investment. Digital Services: Côte d’Ivoire is studying a digital identity wallet built on existing systems, with an implementation roadmap due by January 2027. Mining & Finance: Awalé Resources reported further gold-copper drilling gains at its Odienné project, while Côte d’Ivoire made the UMOA securities market’s first 20-year issuance. Air Links: Canada and Côte d’Ivoire doubled permitted passenger flights to 14 weekly per country and expanded cargo access.

Mining: Awalé Resources reported gold-copper drilling at its Odienné project, including 44 metres grading 3.1 grams per tonne gold equivalent near surface and new mineralisation beyond the current resource. Oil: Vaalco Energy has started drilling at the offshore Baobab field, with the first producer expected online near year-end and production growth anticipated in 2027. Rural Investment: Côte d’Ivoire aims to secure nine million hectares of rural land over ten years, issue 1.5 million land certificates and formalise 1.5 million farming contracts to reduce disputes and improve security for agricultural investment. Digital Services: The government is studying a digital identity wallet and online authentication system, with an implementation roadmap due by January 2027. Public Finance: Côte d’Ivoire issued the UMOA market’s first 20-year Treasury bond, extending the previous maturity record of 15 years. Trade Links: Canada doubled permitted passenger flights with Côte d’Ivoire to 14 per week for each country and expanded cargo rights. Business Partnerships: Italy and Côte d’Ivoire will hold a business-matching event in Abidjan on October 16; bilateral trade reached €829.4 million in 2025, up 10.9% year on year.

Disability Care & Social Protection: In Bouaké, a mother says a specialised residential centre is the safest option for children with developmental disorders facing rejection, violence or worse, as UN-backed groups push for urgent action to integrate the 80+ million people living with disabilities across Africa. Education Policy: Côte d’Ivoire’s education ministry has ended “cours de renforcement” run by teachers outside regulated hours, arguing success shouldn’t depend on extra payments; parents in places like Alépé are split between relief and concerns that some pupils may lose advantages. Public Finance: Abidjan launched a 20-year Treasury bond on the UMOA Securities Market, extending the previous 15-year ceiling. Energy & Oilfield Updates: VAALCO reports successful offshore Gabon drilling and starts Baobab Phase 5 drilling offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with first producer well timing targeted for late 2026/2027. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate digital transformation across Northwest Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, targeting AI/cloud-ready power and cooling for national projects. Trade & Logistics: Coverage highlights how Cotonou’s transit flows are being reshaped by regional shocks, with Burkina Faso emerging as a key relay—an indirect signal for West African corridor planning.

Digital Infrastructure Deal: Vertiv signed an MoU with Cybastion to accelerate digital transformation across Northwest Africa, targeting Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad and Gabon, with Vertiv bringing data-centre power/cooling expertise and Cybastion leveraging government-led digital programmes. Regulatory & Markets: Côte d’Ivoire’s government is moving ahead with Meta monetization for local creators, positioning the country as a Francophone African pioneer in state-facilitated access to global platform revenues. Energy & Consumer Prices: Côte d’Ivoire maintained butane gas subsidies nationwide for October 2026, fixing 6kg at 2,000 FCFA and setting official prices for larger formats and fuel products. Trade & Mobility: ECOWAS is pushing public sensitization for its biometric ID (ENBIC) to speed mutual border acceptance by December 2026, supporting smoother travel and trade across the region. Finance: Bank of Africa Côte d’Ivoire reported a slight 1.5% rise in net banking income in the first half of 2026. Mining & Projects: Toubani Resources says construction is advancing at the Kobada Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, with CIL tank erection underway and first gold targeted for Q3 2027.

Côte d’Ivoire Digital Economy: Côte d’Ivoire is moving to monetize Facebook and Instagram content through a structured process with Meta, a rare Francophone African push that puts the state in the role of facilitator for local creators to access global platform revenues. Telecom & Regulation: ARTCI is in Douala, Cameroon, for an ITU-led workshop on digital regulation to upgrade oversight skills as Côte d’Ivoire accelerates digital transformation. Energy & Prices: The Ivorian government keeps butane subsidies nationwide for October 2026, fixing 6kg at 2,000 FCFA and setting official retail prices for larger formats and fuels, with enforcement via required price displays. Banking: BOA Côte d’Ivoire reports a slight 1.5% rise in net banking income in the first half of 2026. Mining & Investment Pipeline: Toubani Resources says construction is advancing fast on the Kobada Gold Project, with CIL tank erection underway, long-lead equipment shipped, and over 900 workers on site, targeting first gold in Q3 2027. Business & Trade Tech: Vertiv signs an MoU with Cybastion to support digital infrastructure rollouts across Northwest Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire.

Digital Infrastructure & Data Centers: Vertiv signed an MoU with U.S. firm Cybastion to accelerate critical digital infrastructure projects across Northwest Africa, including Ivory Coast, with a focus on power/cooling solutions for government-led digitalisation. Telecom & Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire’s ARTCI joined a regional workshop in Cameroon to strengthen digital regulation skills with ITU and partners. Banking: BOA Côte d’Ivoire reported a slight 1.5% rise in net banking income in the first half of 2026. Energy & Prices: Côte d’Ivoire maintained October 2026 butane gas subsidies nationwide, keeping 6kg at 2,000 FCFA, alongside published fuel and industrial butane bulk tariffs. Housing: The government launched 420 social and economic housing units in Yamoussoukro under an emergency push, as urban housing needs are estimated at 827,753 units by 2030. SME Tech: NativeTalk launched an all-in-one business communication app for African SMEs, aiming to reduce fragmented customer messaging across channels. Trade & Logistics: Cotonou port transit remains resilient despite regional shocks, with Burkina Faso driving rising cargo volumes.

Mobile Infrastructure Deal: MTN says it has cleared key regulatory hurdles to acquire IHS, with South Africa’s Competition Commission recommending approval with conditions and Nigeria’s regulators granting conditional go-ahead, including a requirement to sell up to 30% of IHS’s Nigerian business to local investors over time. Digital Regulation Capacity: Côte d’Ivoire’s ARTCI is strengthening its digital oversight skills at a regional workshop in Douala, Cameroon, organised with the ITU and partners, to improve regulatory practices for the country’s digital transformation. Housing & Urban Demand: Côte d’Ivoire estimates urban housing needs at 827,753 units by 2030 and reports a new Yamoussoukro project launching 420 social and economic units under a 25,000-unit emergency programme, with construction cost above 13.5bn CFA and a 36-month delivery target. Cocoa & Climate-Smart Farming: Barry Callebaut is rolling out Assisted Natural Regeneration in Ivory Coast, aiming to protect naturally regenerating trees alongside targeted planting to build more resilient cocoa landscapes. Regional Trade & Borders: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire jointly commissioned 37 new boundary pillars as part of a land boundary reaffirmation exercise, funded by GIZ and the African Union Border Programme. Energy/Finance Context: A wider West Africa climate-financing update says the Green Climate Fund has unlocked over US$4bn more for climate investments, with Africa expected to receive about 40%.

Oil & Gas Outlook: The Rio Oil & Gas (ROG.e 2026) conference in Brazil (starting 21 Sept) is drawing top executives from Petrobras, TotalEnergies, Shell, BP, and others—signalling continued global focus on deepwater projects and supply-chain innovation. Digital Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire’s telecom regulator ARTCI is in Douala, Cameroon for an ITU-backed workshop to sharpen digital regulation skills and improve oversight as the country’s digital transformation accelerates. Cocoa & Climate-Smart Farming: Barry Callebaut is testing Assisted Natural Regeneration in Ivory Coast, blending protection of naturally regenerating trees with targeted planting to build more resilient cocoa landscapes amid deforestation pressures. Housing Demand: Ivory Coast estimates urban housing needs at 827,753 units by 2030 and launched 420 social/economic units in Yamoussoukro under a 25,000-unit emergency programme. Regional Trade & Borders: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire commissioned 37 new boundary pillars, completing Phase One of a 150km land boundary reaffirmation exercise. Business & Sports Finance: PSG reportedly paid €3.3m for a “right of preference” tied to Ivory Coast midfielder Mario Dorgeles, securing priority in a future sale.

Digital Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire’s ARTCI is in Douala, Cameroon for an ITU-led workshop to sharpen digital regulation skills and share oversight practices as the country pushes its digital transformation. Housing & Urban Growth: In Yamoussoukro, the government says urban housing demand could hit 827,753 units by 2030, while it has launched 420 social and economic units under a 25,000-unit emergency program, with delivery targeted in 36 months. Cocoa & Climate-Smart Farming: Barry Callebaut is testing Assisted Natural Regeneration in Ivory Coast, aiming to combine naturally regenerating trees with targeted planting to build more resilient cocoa landscapes. Agro-Industry Investment: PSG reportedly paid €3.3m to Braga for a “right of preference” tied to Ivory Coast midfielder Dorgeles—priority in a future sale rather than an immediate signing. Regional Trade & Finance: BCEAO has published an updated list of 175 participants authorized to open PI-SPI services to the public as of September 30, 2026.

Digital Regulation: Côte d’Ivoire’s telecom regulator ARTCI is strengthening its digital oversight skills at an ITU-led regional workshop in Douala, Cameroon, to better manage the country’s digital transformation. Housing & Urban Demand: The government estimates urban housing needs at 827,753 units by 2030 and says a 13.5 billion CFA social and economic housing project—420 units in Yamoussoukro—has started, with a 36-month delivery target. Payments Infrastructure: BCEAO has published an updated list of 175 authorized participants for PI-SPI interoperable instant payments, with Ivory Coast listed among the active markets. Telecom Operations: Orange Côte d’Ivoire certified 42 technicians as drone remote pilots after 1,000 hours of field training to improve network inspections and reduce outages. Cocoa & Climate-Smart Farming: Barry Callebaut is advancing assisted natural regeneration in Ivory Coast, combining naturally regenerating trees with targeted planting to build more resilient cocoa landscapes. Regional Business & Trade: NCBA says it is targeting Ethiopia and the DRC for expansion, prioritizing acquisitions over new builds.

BCEAO Payments Rollout: The West African central bank (BCEAO) has published a new list of 175 authorized participants for PI-SPI interoperable instant payments, with Ivory Coast leading the expansion among member states via Orange Money, Wave, MTN Money, Moov Money and more—opening the door for banks, e-money firms and fintechs to connect faster across the UEMOA market. Telecom Skills Upgrade: Orange Côte d’Ivoire certified 42 technicians as drone remote pilots after 1,000 hours of field training, aiming to improve network inspection safety and reduce outages through better maintenance planning. Mining Output Milestone: Montage Gold says its Koné mine in Côte d’Ivoire has poured first gold on budget and ahead of schedule, with early production ramp-up supported by investments in ports, roads and power. Regional Trade & Energy Lens: A new commentary highlights how African private capital can accelerate energy transformation, using Dangote’s industrial push as an example of turning savings into reliable infrastructure and jobs. Cross-border Diplomacy: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire jointly commissioned 37 new boundary pillars, reinforcing the land and maritime boundary reaffirmation process supervised by Ghana’s Boundary Commission. Business-Adjacent Culture: Tayc announced an Africa Tour 2026 stop in Abidjan (Oct 11), boosting local event activity and tourism demand.

Payments & Fintech: BCEAO has published the latest list of 175 institutions authorized to offer interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI) across the West African Economic and Monetary Union, with Ivory Coast leading the pack among non-Senegal markets (38 participants). Telecom & Infrastructure: Orange Côte d’Ivoire certified 42 technicians as drone remote pilots after 1,000 hours of training, aiming for safer inspections and fewer network outages. Transport & Urban Mobility: Africa Global Logistics Côte d’Ivoire moved five heavy railway locomotives (332.28 tonnes) for Abidjan Metro Line 1, from the Port of Abidjan to the Abobo Sagbé receiving site. Mining & Investment: Montage Gold says its Koné mine in Côte d’Ivoire has achieved first gold pour ahead of schedule and on budget, supported by early infrastructure and workforce training. Trade & Regional Integration: Abidjan is reopening dialogue with Sahel partners, including customs easing for transit goods from Mali and Burkina Faso, as diplomacy shifts toward pragmatism. Business & Culture Linkages: Bombo Investments is partnering with Africa Monologue Challenge to turn cultural exchange into practical intra-African trade and tourism connections.

Mining & Finance: Glencore signed a five-year offtake and pre-financing deal with Guinea’s state Nimba Mining Company, with $300m upfront and 10–12m tons of bauxite annually—another signal of investor appetite for West Africa’s minerals. Telecom & Infrastructure Skills: Orange Côte d’Ivoire certified 42 technicians as drone remote pilots after 1,000 hours of training, aiming to improve network maintenance safety and reduce outages. Urban Mobility Logistics: AGL Côte d’Ivoire transported five heavy locomotives (332.28 tons) for Abidjan Metro Line 1, coordinating port unloading, rail placement, and safety/escort operations. Energy/Trade Finance: Ivory Coast raised 110bn CFA francs on the UMOA financial market, underscoring active domestic funding. Regional Business & Payments: BCEAO published the expanded list of 175 authorized institutions to open PI-SPI interoperable instant payments, including major mobile money players in Ivory Coast. Mining Output: Montage Gold said its Koné mine in Côte d’Ivoire achieved first gold pour on budget and ahead of schedule, with resources and infrastructure investments supporting ramp-up. Governance & Compliance: Ivory Coast also moved to clamp down on harmful illegal gold rushes, warning against complicity and tightening enforcement.