AGP Executive Report

Gold Exploration: Turaco Gold reported strong drilling at Côte d’Ivoire’s Afema project, including 56 metres grading 3.87 grams of gold per tonne at Woulo Woulo. Cocoa: London futures jumped 15% to a one-month high as dry weather in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana raised concerns about crop supplies. Offshore Oil: Murphy Oil’s Bubale West-1X appraisal well in Block CI-103 found 27 metres of net oil pay; state-owned PETROCI holds a 15% stake. Mining and Communities: Residents affected by Endeavour Mining’s planned Assafo-Dibibango gold mine say relocation threatens homes and cultural sites, underscoring social risks around major projects. Regional Logistics: Benin secured financing to widen the Godomey–Ouidah–Hillacondji road on the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, a project intended to cut transport costs and ease trade. Urban Development: Côte d’Ivoire says it has cleared 80% of outstanding land-title applications in Greater Abidjan and is extending the effort inland.

Cocoa: Prices climbed to a one-month high as below-normal rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana raised concerns about crop prospects. Mining & Communities: Residents affected by Endeavour Mining’s Assafo-Dibibango gold project in Tanda say relocation threatens homes, heritage sites and livelihoods, and question whether they were properly consulted. Ports & Logistics: West African container traffic rose 19.4% last year, but congestion—including at Abidjan—exposes gaps in port and inland logistics capacity. Pharmaceuticals: Algeria’s Sophal shipped 2.3 tonnes of medicines to Côte d’Ivoire, with another shipment planned. Oil & Gas: Murphy Oil reported 27 metres of net oil pay at its Bubale West-1X appraisal well offshore Côte d’Ivoire, adding to the country’s exploration prospects. Land Administration: After clearing 80% of the backlog of land-title applications in Greater Abidjan, the government plans to extend the effort inland.

Gold & Communities: Residents affected by Endeavour Mining’s Assafo-Dibibango project in Tanda say relocation threatens homes, ancestral sites and sacred forests, raising questions over how the mine’s promised benefits will reach local communities. Oil Exploration: Murphy Oil reported 27 metres of net oil pay at its Bubale West appraisal well offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with further work planned. Mining Prospects: Dalaroo Metals reported alteration and quartz veining at a Bondoukou project site, but laboratory assays are still needed to confirm whether gold is present. Regional Transport: Benin secured €306.89 million from the Islamic Development Bank toward upgrading the Godomey-Ouidah-Hillacondji road, a key link on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. Land Administration: Côte d’Ivoire says it has cleared 80% of outstanding land-title applications in Greater Abidjan and plans to extend the effort inland. Health Industry: The World Bank is assessing the Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire as a potential regional biomedical hub, but flagged unreliable electricity as a constraint on its laboratories.

Gold Exploration: Dalaroo Metals reported a broad zone of altered rock and quartz veining about a kilometre from its Bondoukou discovery. The signs are visual only; assays are still pending. Land and Housing: Côte d’Ivoire says it has cleared 80% of the backlog of urban land-title applications in Greater Abidjan and is extending the effort nationwide, a push to improve property services and certainty for development. Health Industry: The World Bank is assessing the Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire as a potential regional biomedical hub, but flagged unstable electricity as a risk to sensitive lab operations. Energy: VAALCO Energy has begun its next drilling phase offshore Côte d’Ivoire, alongside new production in Gabon. Agriculture and Trade: India’s National Cooperative Exports Limited is exploring rice-export opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, with embassy-facilitated talks aimed at linking Indian suppliers with local importers and distributors.

Land Administration: Côte d’Ivoire says it has cleared 80% of pending land title applications in Greater Abidjan and will extend the drive nationwide, aiming to speed up property services and prevent new backlogs. Rice Trade: India’s cooperative export agency is exploring rice sales to Côte d’Ivoire, with its embassy connecting it to local importers and distributors. Regional Infrastructure: The Islamic Development Bank will provide €306.9 million for Benin’s road upgrade along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, intended to cut transport costs and strengthen trade links. Mining: Resolute Mining says steady output in Senegal and progress in Côte d’Ivoire are helping offset disruptions at its Mali mine, though not enough to close the shortfall. Biomedical Industry: The World Bank is assessing Abidjan’s Pasteur Institute as a regional research and health-security hub, but unstable electricity threatens sensitive laboratory operations. Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank has launched a FCFA 60 billion bond to fund affordable, sustainable housing across the WAEMU region.

Rice Trade: India’s National Cooperative Exports Limited is exploring rice sales in Côte d’Ivoire, with the Indian Embassy in Abidjan connecting it to local importers and distributors. Gold Mining: Resolute Mining says insecurity and supply disruptions at its Syama mine in Mali have forced it to cut guidance; progress in Côte d’Ivoire offers only a partial offset. Perseus Mining says gold dealmaking remains busy, but price uncertainty is holding back completed acquisitions. Biomedical Industry: The World Bank is assessing the Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire as a potential regional biomedical hub, but unstable electricity threatens critical lab operations. Energy: VAALCO Energy has added offshore production in Gabon and started its next drilling phase in Côte d’Ivoire.

Biomedical Industry: The World Bank is assessing Côte d’Ivoire’s Pasteur Institute as a potential West and Central African biomedical hub. Its high-containment labs could support regional vaccine and medicine production, but unreliable electricity threatens operations. Energy: VAALCO has added production offshore Gabon and begun its next drilling phase in Côte d’Ivoire, while African energy firms prepare to discuss exploration and investment priorities at a Cape Town industry gathering. Investment: India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed expanding trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare ties during Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s Abidjan visit. Agriculture: Ivorian cocoa farmers fear the main crop could end early after poor rains, raising risks for production and farmer incomes. Regional Finance: Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, citing growth prospects in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. The World Bank, meanwhile, is discussing crisis aid with 30 to 40 countries facing higher energy and fertilizer costs.

Energy: Vaalco has started a new drilling phase offshore Côte d’Ivoire, while adding production in Gabon. African energy firms are also set to discuss exploration plans and investment priorities at an upcoming industry gathering in Cape Town. Trade and Investment: India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and agriculture. Standard Bank, meanwhile, aims to double its West African business by 2030, with Côte d’Ivoire among its target markets. Agriculture: Ivorian cocoa farmers are concerned poor rains could bring the main crop to an early end. Finance and Housing: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a CFA60 billion sustainable bond to finance affordable, energy-efficient housing across the WAEMU region. Healthcare Services: A new pediatric cardiac surgery center in Bingerville will provide specialist care for children and newborns, reducing the need for treatment abroad.

Energy: African oil majors are set to discuss investment and exploration plans at African Energy Week, with deepwater activity in Côte d’Ivoire among the projects in focus. VAALCO has also begun its next drilling phase offshore Côte d’Ivoire. Trade and Investment: India and Côte d’Ivoire discussed trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare during talks in Abidjan, while Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, citing growth prospects in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. Agriculture: Ivorian cocoa farmers fear the main crop could end early after poor rains. The country was also the second-largest destination for Dutch onions last season, importing more than 212,000 tonnes. Land and Infrastructure: Abidjan aims to secure nine million hectares of rural land over the next decade, a major push to strengthen land tenure. Skills: A mining and oil industry veteran in Abidjan is helping young people build routes into work, including for those without diplomas.

Workforce: Abidjan’s Youth Education helps young people find work by matching their skills and ambitions with employers’ needs, with support continuing after they are hired. Healthcare: A new pediatric cardiac surgery center in Bingerville adds operating rooms and 42 neonatal and pediatric beds, aiming to reduce overseas medical referrals. Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a CFA60 billion bond to fund affordable, sustainable housing across the WAEMU region. Investment: Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, citing opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Ghana. India and Côte d’Ivoire also discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and agriculture during recent talks in Abidjan. Agriculture: Poor rains have raised concerns among Ivorian cocoa farmers that the main crop could end early. Dutch onion exports to Côte d’Ivoire topped 212,000 tonnes in the record 2025–26 season, highlighting the scale of food imports.

Agricultural Trade: Côte d’Ivoire was the second-largest destination for Dutch onions in the 2025–26 season, receiving more than 212,000 tonnes as exports hit a record 1.39 million tonnes. Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a FCFA 60 billion bond to fund affordable, sustainable housing across the WAEMU region, including Côte d’Ivoire. Banking: Standard Bank plans to double its West African business by 2030, citing growth prospects in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. Offshore Energy: Vaalco has begun the next drilling phase at the Baobab Field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with four producers planned and the first expected online toward year-end. Cocoa: Ivorian farmers are concerned poor rains could bring the main crop to an early end.

Housing Finance: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a CFA60 billion sustainable bond to fund affordable, energy-efficient housing across the WAEMU region. The five- and seven-year tranches carry rates of 6.10% and 6.30%. Banking: Standard Bank aims to double its West African business by 2030, citing growth prospects in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. Oil and Gas: Vaalco has begun a new drilling phase at the Baobab field offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with four production wells planned and the first expected online toward year-end. Agriculture: The government plans to formalise rights to nine million hectares of rural land over ten years, issuing 1.5 million land certificates and signing 1.5 million farming contracts to strengthen investment security. Trade and Investment: During a visit to Abidjan, India’s foreign minister discussed cooperation with Ivorian officials in trade, investment, infrastructure and agriculture. Separately, an Italy–Côte d’Ivoire business-matching event is planned for October 16; bilateral trade reached €829.4 million in 2025.

Marine Inputs: IFFO warns global fishmeal supply could fall below 4.6 million tonnes in 2026, its lowest level since 2016; raw material availability also declined in African producing countries. India Ties: Talks in Abidjan covered trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, alongside defence training and capacity-building. Offshore Energy: VAALCO has started Phase 5 drilling at the Baobab field, planning four producers and three water injectors; the first producer is expected by year-end. Mining: Awalé Resources reported new gold-copper intercepts at its Odienné project, including mineralisation beyond the current resource and a near-surface interval of 44 metres grading 3.1 g/t gold equivalent. Rural Land: Côte d’Ivoire aims to secure nine million hectares over ten years, issuing 1.5 million land certificates and formalising 1.5 million agricultural contracts to support investment and reduce disputes. Port Logistics: Abidjan averaged 4.5 days of vessel waiting time, with delays reaching 12 days amid congestion at major global gateways.

India–Côte d’Ivoire Ties: Talks in Abidjan covered trade, investment, infrastructure and agriculture, while India’s ITEC programme offers training to help build local technical and institutional capacity. Offshore Energy: Vaalco has started drilling at the Baobab field, with a four-well production program underway and the first new producer expected online by year-end. Mining: Awalé Resources reported gold-copper intercepts extending mineralization beyond its current resource at the Odienné project, with further drill results pending. Agriculture: The government aims to secure nine million hectares of rural land over the next decade, issuing 1.5 million land certificates and signing 1.5 million agricultural contracts to strengthen investment security. Ports and Trade: Abidjan averaged 4.5 days of vessel waiting time, with delays reaching 12 days, underscoring pressure on cargo flows. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion are exploring projects across Côte d’Ivoire and other African markets, combining data-centre expertise with government digital-transformation programs.

Agricultural Investment: Côte d’Ivoire plans to secure 9 million hectares of rural land over the next decade, issue 1.5 million land certificates and formalize 1.5 million farm agreements to reduce disputes and support investment. Mining: Awalé Resources reported wide gold-copper intersections at its Odienné project, including mineralization beyond the current resource. Kobada is in full-scale construction, with more than 900 workers on site and first gold targeted for 2027; Lycopodium has also begun early engineering and procurement work for Endeavour’s Assafou project, pending a final investment decision. Offshore Energy: VAALCO has started drilling at the Baobab field, with the first new producer expected online near the end of 2026. Ports and Trade: Abidjan averaged 4.5 days of vessel waiting time, with delays reaching 12 days amid congestion. An October 16 business event in Abidjan will connect Italian and Ivorian firms; bilateral trade reached €829.4 million in 2025. Cocoa: Poor rains have raised concerns that Côte d’Ivoire’s main crop could finish early, while Ghana’s higher farmgate price may draw some Ivorian cocoa across the border.

Cocoa & Forest Policy: A new Global Witness analysis says the EU’s zero-deforestation rules (EUDR) are already cutting cocoa-linked emissions and pushing “deforestation-free” claims higher, even before full enforcement—raising pressure on major buyers like Mondelez. Cocoa Supply Risk (Ivory Coast): Ivorian cocoa farmers warn poor rainfall could end the main crop early, with industry expecting output to drop to about 1.25m tonnes from 1.5m last season. Oil & Gas (Ivory Coast): VAALCO reports successful Gabon Phase 3 drilling and starts Baobab Phase 5 offshore Côte d’Ivoire operations, targeting first producer well online near end-2026 and growth in 2027. Mining & EPC (Ivory Coast): Lycopodium won engineering and procurement services for Endeavour Mining’s Assafou gold project; early works are underway while the final investment decision is expected before year-end. Port & Logistics Tech: Smart berths using sensor-enabled bollards are gaining traction, with Rotterdam-style monitoring aimed at improving safety, maintenance planning, and berth asset management. Regional Trade Facilitation: ECOWAS public campaigns push mutual acceptance of the biometric ENBIC ID across borders by December 2026, supporting smoother movement for traders and travelers. Digital Infrastructure (West Africa): Vertiv and Cybastion sign an MoU to expand digital infrastructure collaboration across markets including Côte d’Ivoire. Energy Prices (Ivory Coast): Government maintains October 2026 butane and fuel price grids nationwide, including Abidjan industrial butane rates.