AGP Executive Report

Water & Infrastructure: ECOWAS says Abidjan will host the first West Africa Regional Water Forum on Sept. 24-25, aiming to set a regional roadmap for sustainable water management across transboundary river basins. Oil & Gas Investment: Eni has expanded Saipem’s contract for Baleine Phase 3 offshore Côte d’Ivoire, covering engineering, fabrication, installation of ~50 km of rigid pipelines and subsea systems over a three-year program. Mining Value Addition: Nigeria and the AfDB back a Lagos-to-Dakar minerals processing corridor, with AfDB financing support under an “Abidjan Declaration” to boost beneficiation and reduce reliance on raw exports. Cocoa Industry Push: The Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI) welcomed a cocoa value addition summit in Abuja, focused on raising farmer gains, harmonising farmgate pricing, and expanding local processing. Capital Markets: Awalé Resources says Fortuna Mining exercised participation rights in its Odienné project financing, keeping Fortuna’s equity stake and lifting cash expected after closing to over $35m. Business & Trade Finance: Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund highlights blended finance as a way to mobilise long-term capital into West Africa’s energy, transport, telecoms and data centers. Sports Betting Integrity: IBIA reports 76 suspicious betting alerts across nine sports in Q2 2026, including football alerts linked to Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Infrastructure Finance: Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund says blended finance is unlocking long-term capital for Africa’s next-gen infrastructure, with over 30% of its ~$1.7bn portfolio already in West Africa across energy, transport, airports, telecoms and data centers. Minerals & Industrial Policy: Nigeria and the AfDB pushed the Abidjan Declaration, urging African countries to stop exporting raw minerals and instead scale local value addition, regional cooperation, strategic financing and mineral data sovereignty. Cocoa Value Chain: The Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative backs efforts to raise farmer earnings and processing capacity, while Swiss chocolatier Lindt faces a US lawsuit over alleged child labour in West African cocoa supply chains. Energy & Oil Services: Saipem won two Eni contracts worth $910m for offshore work on Ivory Coast’s Baleine Phase 3 and biofuel capacity expansion in Italy. Sports—Local Spotlight: In Yamoussoukro, Ghana’s Black Satellites squad is set for a WAFU B U-20 opener vs Nigeria, with the tournament also serving as a qualifier for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Global Business—Football: PSG formally withdrew from the Yan Diomande race, clearing the way for Real Madrid’s expected €100m+ deal for the Ivory Coast winger.

Minerals & Value Addition: Nigeria’s Dele Alake urged African countries to stop exporting raw minerals and instead push local processing, regional cooperation and mineral data ownership, speaking at an AfDB ministerial forum in Abidjan that also backed a Lagos–Dakar minerals processing corridor. AfDB Financing for Industry: The AfDB approved a €100m loan for Gotion Power Morocco to build Africa’s first integrated lithium iron phosphate battery gigafactory, aiming to scale from 10GWh to 100GWh and create 600+ jobs. Côte d’Ivoire Energy Contract: Eni Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore drilling work got a boost with Saipem’s award for the Santorini drillship under a related-party but market-equivalent deal, tied to the Baleine Phase 3 push. Sports & Talent (Ivorian spotlight): Real Madrid moved closer to completing the €100m+ signing of Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig after PSG withdrew, while Arsenal reportedly explored Vinícius Júnior terms as Madrid set conditions for any deal. Youth Football (Yamoussoukro): Nigeria’s Flying Eagles open the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Yamoussoukro against Ghana, with coach Abdu Maikaba insisting on an outright win to defend the trophy.

Offshore Energy Deal: Eni Côte d’Ivoire Limited has awarded Saipem a contract for the Santorini drillship to support development drilling in Côte d’Ivoire’s growing offshore sector, with an extended programme starting in early 2027. Regional Aviation Connectivity: Etihad Airways and Air Peace signed an interline agreement to link Nigeria’s domestic network with Etihad’s UAE routes, opening seamless one-ticket connections to cities including Lagos, Accra and Abidjan. Debt & Development Push: At AU technical meetings in Abidjan, Tanzania urged African countries to strengthen debt sustainability and domestic resource mobilisation, while AIDS Healthcare Foundation backed the AU’s debt reform agenda. Education Financing Alarm: A new UNESCO-linked report warns many countries now spend more on debt servicing than on educating children, highlighting the squeeze on social spending. Human Capital & Skills: Morocco’s Mohammed VI Foundation completed a 5,200 sq m vocational training complex in Bamako, training nearly 1,000 youths annually—an example of skills investment across the region. Digital Telecom Governance: The ATU plenipotentiaries conference in Abuja elected a new Secretary-General and appointed West African council members including Ivory Coast. Women’s Rights Index: A global Women, Peace and Security ranking puts Northern Europe at the top, with Denmark leading—useful context for policy debates across Africa. Sports & Business (Local Talent): Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande remains at the centre of major European transfer talks, with Real Madrid and others reportedly circling, underscoring the economic value of African talent.

Transfer Market: Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande is back in the spotlight as Real Madrid step up talks with RB Leipzig after an initial bid was rejected; multiple reports say Madrid are negotiating a package around €120m, with Leipzig holding out near €130m and other clubs (including PSG and Liverpool) still watching closely. Sports & Business: Bayern Munich has cooled Real Madrid’s hopes for Michael Olise by publicly ruling out a summer sale, pushing Madrid to pivot to Diomande. Aviation & Trade Links: Etihad and Air Peace signed an interline agreement to sell single-ticket journeys between Abu Dhabi and 20+ West/Central African destinations, including Abidjan, via Lagos and Accra—boosting connectivity for regional business travel. Energy & Investment: A $260m offshore drilling contract will bring a 20,000-tonne-capacity drillship to Côte d’Ivoire for development work, supporting the country’s expanding offshore oil and gas push. Finance & Debt: The African Development Bank approved a €100m loan for Morocco’s first integrated battery gigafactory, while African civil groups renewed calls in Abidjan for debt reforms that protect spending on health and education. Regional Integration: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in phases by 2027, with key rules and CFA-linked countries still to be aligned.

AfDB Financing: The African Development Bank approved a €100m loan to Gotion Power Morocco for Africa’s first integrated lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery gigafactory in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, with plans to scale from 10 GWh to 100 GWh and create 600+ jobs in phase one. Debt vs Development: A new UNESCO-backed warning says many countries now pay more on debt servicing than on education, while an Africa-focused push at the AU’s Abidjan talks urges debt reforms so governments can fund health and schooling. Digital Connectivity & Air Links: Etihad and Air Peace signed an interline deal to sell single tickets between Abu Dhabi and 20+ Air Peace destinations, including Abidjan and multiple West/Central African cities. ECOWAS Single Currency: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO in phases by 2027, with open questions around the central bank and how CFA-franc countries will join. Ivorian Talent in Europe: Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande remains at the center of a high-stakes transfer race, with Real Madrid reportedly stepping up offers after Leipzig rejected earlier bids. Telecom Leadership: The ATU conference in Abuja elected Zambia’s Mwale Kezias as Secretary-General, with Ivory Coast among West Africa’s appointed administrative council members.

Telecom Markets: MTN added about R100bn to its market value in 2026, pushing it toward a potential R500bn valuation milestone as investors back its growth plan; Regional Integration: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in phases by 2027, with countries meeting inflation, debt and monetary stability criteria first; Aviation & Trade Links: Etihad and Air Peace signed an interline agreement enabling single-ticket travel between Abu Dhabi and 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa, including Abidjan and other regional hubs; Debt & Health Spending: AIDS Healthcare Foundation backed the African Union’s push for debt sustainability in Abidjan, urging structural reforms so developing countries can fund health and education; Sports & Business Attention: Ghana’s finance minister said the government will recover GHS 58m advanced for the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup preparations once FIFA releases appearance funds.

ECOWAS Single Currency Push: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in phases by 2027, starting with countries meeting inflation, debt and monetary stability criteria, while key issues remain around the future central bank and how to bring in CFA franc users like Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. Air Connectivity for West Africa: Etihad Airways and Nigeria’s Air Peace signed an interline agreement enabling one-ticket travel from Abu Dhabi via Lagos/Accra to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa, including Abidjan, Dakar and Conakry—boosting regional business travel and UAE-Africa commercial links. Cocoa Supply Chain Under US Scrutiny: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt was sued in a US court over alleged child labour in cocoa sourced from Ghana and Ivory Coast, with the complaint alleging misleading consumer claims despite Lindt’s denial and insistence on supplier monitoring. Sports Funding Watch (Ghana): Ghana’s Finance Minister said the government will recover GHS 58m spent to support the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign once FIFA releases appearance funds—highlighting how delayed payments can force public cash advances. Regional Industry Agenda (Côte d’Ivoire): Tanzania joined other African countries pushing faster industrialisation at AU finance and trade meetings in Abidjan, focusing on access to development finance, debt management, capital markets and private sector participation.

Child Labour & Cocoa Supply Chains: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli is facing a U.S. lawsuit alleging it misleads consumers about efforts to eliminate child labour in cocoa sourced from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, despite saying it has supplier protocols and plans to certify cocoa under the Rainforest Alliance. Air Connectivity for West Africa: Etihad Airways and Nigeria’s Air Peace signed an interline deal enabling single-ticket travel from Lagos and Accra to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa, including Abidjan, Dakar, Conakry and Bamako—boosting UAE–Africa business and tourism links. Cocoa Value Addition Push: A new report highlights how Africa’s cocoa producers still capture only a small share of the global chocolate market value, renewing calls for local processing and value addition to keep more earnings in West Africa. Urban & Flood Resilience (Ghana, Regional Impact): Ghana’s finance minister says 2027 Budget funding will support a permanent solution to flooding in Accra and other flood-prone areas—an issue that also affects Côte d’Ivoire and the wider region. Industrialisation & Finance (AU Meeting in Abidjan): Tanzania joined AU talks in Abidjan focused on expanding access to finance, improving debt management, and strengthening trade and capital markets to accelerate African industrial development.

Air Connectivity Deal: Etihad Airways and Nigeria’s Air Peace signed an interline agreement linking their networks and opening single-ticket access to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa, including Abuja, Lagos onward, Abidjan, Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala and Libreville—supporting Etihad’s planned daily Abu Dhabi–Lagos service. Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS leaders backed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, a corridor expected to run through multiple West African states including Côte d’Ivoire, but analysts warn security and protection of long infrastructure routes will be the real test. Local Innovation & Mobility: Ivorian micro-mobility startup Ecobyke joined FasterCapital’s EquityPilot programme to scale shared electric bikes, scooters and trotinettes across African cities, focusing on execution milestones and go-to-market readiness. Cocoa Value Chain Push: A new push for cocoa value addition highlights how Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana supply most of the world’s cocoa yet capture only a small share of the $130bn chocolate industry—driving efforts like the Cocoa Value Addition Alliance to move from raw exports to local processing. Business & Education in the Region: A student from Côte d’Ivoire’s Institut Universitaire d’Abidjan hosts the Christof Heyns African Human Rights Moot Court, with an Ivorian-based event drawing regional talent, while Nigeria’s National Mathematical Centre reports six medals at the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad held in Yamoussoukro.

Micro-mobility & Innovation: Ivorian startup Ecobyke has joined FasterCapital’s EquityPilot programme to scale its shared electric bikes, scooters and trotinettes across major African cities, focusing on execution milestones and early go-to-market readiness. Energy & Regional Trade: ECOWAS-backed momentum is building for the $25bn Morocco–Nigeria Atlantic gas pipeline, with the planned route set to pass through countries including Côte d’Ivoire—though analysts flag security and protection risks across multiple jurisdictions. Agrifood Jobs & Youth Entrepreneurship: NourishNext West Africa 2026 is launching a youth-led fruit and vegetable innovation challenge across Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, offering mentorship and seed funding to boost local availability and affordability. Mining & Investment Signals: Awalé Resources reports high-grade gold-copper results from its Odienné project in Côte d’Ivoire, expanding the mineralized footprint and pointing to stronger underground growth potential. Cocoa Value Addition Push: Four leading African cocoa producers have agreed to end raw cocoa bean exports and capture more of the chocolate value chain, with Côte d’Ivoire highlighted as the top producer. Transport & Urban Life: Colorful minibuses continue to define everyday mobility in Abidjan, underscoring the city’s street-level transport culture as it grows.

Youth Agrifood Innovation: GAIN and SDC, with ECOWAS and the SUN Movement, launched NourishNext West Africa 2026 to back youth-led solutions that boost fruits and vegetables in Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, with national pitches and a regional finale in Dakar plus seed funding for finalists. Regional Appointments: ECOWAS approved new commissioners and judges for 2026–2030, including Dr Kalilou Sylla (Côte d’Ivoire) as Commissioner for Internal Services, as well as new ECOWAS Court judges. Micro-mobility Investment: Côte d’Ivoire’s Ecobyke joined FasterCapital’s EquityPilot programme to scale shared electric bikes, scooters and trotinettes across major African cities, focusing on execution milestones and early go-to-market readiness. Cocoa Outlook: Cocoa prices are expected to keep rising into year-end as West African production faces pressure from a looming super El Niño, according to a Reuters poll. Critical Minerals Push: The AfDB urged African countries to stop exporting raw critical minerals and move into local processing and regional value chains, with a ministerial forum held in Abidjan. Côte d’Ivoire Business Champions: After 15 years of growth and stability, Côte d’Ivoire is betting on “national champions” to drive its 2030 plan, highlighting firms like Kaera (cosmetics) and Petro Ivoire (oil & gas distribution).

Côte d’Ivoire Transport & Urban Life: Colorful minibuses remain a defining feature of Abidjan’s street culture, highlighting how everyday mobility underpins local commerce. Mining & Investment: Awalé Resources’ Odienné project in Côte d’Ivoire reports high-grade gold-copper assay results, expanding the known mineralized footprint and pointing to stronger underground potential. Digital Economy & Infrastructure: Starlink has received final approval to operate in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside authorisation for a US-backed sovereign data centre, a government digitisation platform and smart border surveillance—signaling a broader push to link broadband, cloud and public-sector tech. Regional Policy & Finance: ECOWAS approved new appointments for 2026–2030, including commissioners and judges—an update that matters for business confidence and cross-border governance. Cocoa Value Chain: West African cocoa producers, including Côte d’Ivoire, are pushing “from bean to brand” plans aimed at ending raw bean exports and capturing more value through local processing. Macroeconomic Watch: Bloomberg flags that African central banks face fresh inflation pressure as shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz push up oil and fertilizer costs, with Côte d’Ivoire among the exposed importers.

Digital Infrastructure Boost: Côte d’Ivoire has granted final approval for Starlink to operate, following a high-level US visit, alongside authorising a US-backed sovereign data centre, government digitisation platform, smart border surveillance and a $170m Cybastion project—signalling broadband and cloud build-out as a package, not a standalone telecom move. Regional Appointments: ECOWAS approved new leadership for its 2026–2030 term, including commissioners, judges for the ECOWAS Court of Justice, an auditor-general and the WAHO director-general—an institutional reset that can shape regional business rules. Monetary Watch: African central banks are bracing for another inflation shock after Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushed up oil and fertilizer prices; countries including Côte d’Ivoire that import fuel face renewed pressure to keep rates cautious. Cocoa Outlook: Cocoa prices are expected to keep rising into year-end as West African production faces risk from a strong El Niño pattern, tightening supply expectations for the world’s key chocolate ingredient. Cocoa Value Agenda: AfDB urged African states to stop exporting raw critical minerals and instead push local processing and value chains—an industrialisation push echoed by regional development forums in Abidjan.

Critical Minerals Push: The AfDB urged African countries to stop exporting raw critical minerals and instead scale local processing, beneficiation and regional value chains, arguing the continent holds about 30% of global deposits but captures little value because most is shipped unprocessed. Cocoa Outlook: A Reuters poll says cocoa prices are set to keep rising into year-end as West African production is expected to fall under a looming super El Nino, with London futures forecast around £4,450/ton and New York around $6,000/ton by end-2026. Ivory Coast “National Champions”: After 15 years of growth and renewed stability, Côte d’Ivoire is betting on home-grown firms to drive its 2030 plan, highlighting companies like Kaera (cosmetics), Petro Ivoire (oil & gas distribution) and fintech Djamo. West Africa Gas Moves: Togo joined regional talks on integrated gas markets, building on the West African Gas Pipeline and the PRIME-GAS project, as demand is expected to surge by 2035. Regional Energy Politics: ECOWAS endorsed the Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a $25bn, multi-country project aimed at monetising Nigerian gas and linking into Europe via Morocco and Spain.

National Champions for Growth: Côte d’Ivoire is pushing “home-grown” firms to drive its 2030 plan, spotlighting companies like Kaera (natural cosmetics, 600 jobs) and Djamo (online banking/fintech), as stability and investor confidence help scale local brands across West Africa and beyond. Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS has endorsed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,000–6,900km project aimed at monetising Nigerian gas and linking to Europe via Morocco and Spain, with construction expected from 2028 after financing and transit rules are agreed. Climate & Cities Risk: West African floods are being intensified by human-driven climate change, while rapid urban expansion into flood-prone areas is worsening damage in places including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. Cocoa Supply Pressure: Reports point to abundant Ivory Coast cocoa supplies weighing on global prices, keeping traders focused on how production and export policy shape market swings. Rubber Sector Stress: Liberia’s rubber processors face a major raw-material shortfall, raising the risk of factory closures—an issue that underlines how supply bottlenecks can quickly hit jobs across the region. Sports-to-Business Link: Ivory Coast’s World Cup-linked talent is also showing up in transfer-market chatter, with interest in Ivorian winger Yan Diomande highlighting how performance on the pitch can translate into new commercial opportunities.