AGP Executive Report

Cocoa & Weather: Cocoa prices are rising again as dry conditions in West Africa, especially the Ivory Coast, threaten the 2026/27 crop outlook; London and New York futures both climbed after below-normal rainfall forecasts and a weaker pound boosted sterling-priced contracts. Trade & Justice: At an ECOWAS Court conference in Dakar, a lawyer urged the court to fully activate its arbitration role to become a go-to hub for regional trade and investment disputes, aligning with AfCFTA dispute rules. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS opened a major water governance session in Abidjan, reviewing implementation of regional resolutions and setting recommendations for the next ministerial meeting—timely for a region with shared river basins. LNG for Power: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal for a 250MMcf/d FSRU at the Port of Abidjan to support Côte d’Ivoire’s LNG imports and rising power demand, with regasification deliveries planned from Q3 2027. Food Processing Investment: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill in Côte d’Ivoire with CEPICI support, targeting stronger local grain processing capacity. Health Logistics: Zipline will expand its drone delivery program in Côte d’Ivoire, adding facilities to reach up to 12 million people over eight years. Tech Talent Pipeline: Yango Fellowship 2026 wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows from six countries pitching solutions ranging from cashless transport payments to water-quality testing.

LNG & Power Infrastructure: EXMAR signed a 10-year deal for a 152,000 m³ FSRU at the Port of Abidjan to start LNG imports for Côte d’Ivoire’s power needs in Q3 2027, with regasified gas delivered to CI-Energies. Oil & Gas Investment: SOCAR entered Côte d’Ivoire’s upstream by taking a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore project (Eni 37.25%, Vitol 30%, Petroci 22.75%). Industrial & Food Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, targeting organized industrial development and grain processing expansion. Construction & Industrial Capacity: Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures highlighted digitalisation, circular economy and maintenance skills as Côte d’Ivoire pushes its building programme. Water Governance: ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS convened water governance talks in Abidjan, reviewing regional IWRM progress and Côte d’Ivoire’s 2023 Water Code reforms. Agri-Food Costs: Cocoa and sugar prices eased on global supply and weather signals, while analysts warn winter food prices could rise amid El Niño-linked volatility and higher input costs. Tech for Delivery & Health: Zipline will expand drone health deliveries in Côte d’Ivoire, adding facilities to reach about a third of the population over eight years. Finance & Capital Markets: Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire began trading on the BRVM after its public offer, adding new investors and funding for regional growth. SME Digital Services: NativeTalk launched an all-in-one business app for African SMEs, aiming to reduce fragmented customer communications. Innovation Pipeline: Yango Fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions spanning payments, merchant identity, health supply visibility, waste recycling and low-cost water testing.

Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed a 2-year oil and gas cooperation MoU with Mozambique’s ENH, while in Côte d’Ivoire it also moved deeper offshore with production-sharing contracts for eight exploratory blocks (Petrobras 90%, PETROCI 10%), adding momentum to Abidjan’s upstream push. Water Governance: Abidjan hosted ECOWAS/UEMOA/CILSS talks on integrated water resources management, reviewing regional resolutions as West Africa prepares for its first-ever regional water forum. World Bank Jobs Drive: The World Bank unveiled a $5.3bn active portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire (25 projects) under Abidjan Open Days, targeting 3 million jobs with focus on youth and women across infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health. Industrial & Food Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, aiming to strengthen grain processing and expand organized industrial output. Logistics & Digital Trade: Zipline will expand drone delivery in Côte d’Ivoire to cover about a third of the population, while a BRVM listing kicks off for Bridge Bank Côte d’Ivoire, boosting regional finance access. Energy/Tech for Industry: SOCAR acquired a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore project, and NTN Europe with OCP is advancing predictive maintenance—building skills and reducing downtime for industrial operators.

World Bank Jobs Push: Côte d’Ivoire says the World Bank Group’s active portfolio has hit $5.3bn across 25 projects, with a clear line to the national goal of creating 3 million jobs—spanning infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health. Industrial Processing: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, aiming to deepen grain and food processing in an industrial zone. Construction & Equipment: At Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures, Neemba Côte d’Ivoire pitched a full delivery model—equipment availability, digitalisation, maintenance, reconditioning and training—framed as the answer to keeping the national building programme on schedule. Tech for Delivery & Health: Zipline will expand drone delivery in Côte d’Ivoire, adding nine facilities to serve up to 12m people over eight years under a government-paid operating-cost contract. Energy & Upstream Stakes: SOCAR completed a 10% stake purchase in Eni-operated Baleine offshore, reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s growing upstream momentum. Food Commodities Watch: Cocoa and sugar prices fell on supply and weather signals, with Côte d’Ivoire dryness raising near-term yield concerns. Textiles & Local Value: COIC (cotton) completed its takeover of wax fabric maker Uniwax, moving from raw cotton into finished cloth and strengthening Abidjan’s industrial textile base.

World Bank Push for Jobs: Côte d’Ivoire’s World Bank Group unveiled a $5.3bn active portfolio across 25 projects at Abidjan Open Days, tied to the 2026-2030 goal of creating 3 million jobs, with funding spanning infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education and health—aimed at turning financing into real business and employment outcomes. Industrial Upgrades in Construction: Neemba Côte d’Ivoire used Abidjan’s Salon des infrastructures to argue for a full delivery chain—equipment availability, digitalisation, maintenance, reconditioning and training—after the Prime Minister called for deeper private-sector partnership on national building programmes. Food Processing Investment: Moulin Koira plans a $45.1m flour mill with CEPICI support, focusing on site readiness, water access and industrial-zone placement to strengthen local grain and food processing capacity. Drone Health Logistics: Zipline will expand its Côte d’Ivoire drone delivery pilot, adding nine facilities to reach up to 12 million people over eight years, with government covering operating costs for cold chain, warehousing and digital tracking. Predictive Maintenance Tech: NTN Europe and OCP Maintenance Solutions partnered to scale AI-driven predictive maintenance, building on trials that already include deployments in Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire. Textile Deal: COIC completed its takeover of wax fabric maker Uniwax, taking 72.29% ownership and moving further from cotton into finished cloth manufacturing.

Textiles & Industrial Ownership: Ivorian cotton group COIC, led by Koné Daouda Soukpafolo, has completed its takeover of Abidjan wax fabric maker Uniwax, buying the Vlisco-held stake to reach 72.29% ownership and signaling a push from raw cotton into finished cloth, with COIC planning a direct governance role within 12 months. LNG & Power Infrastructure: Exmar has secured a 10-year lease for an FSRU in Abidjan with Côte d’Ivoire Energies and Petroci, targeting LNG imports from Q3 2027 to feed gas-to-power demand and strengthen energy security. Offshore Oil Exploration: Petrobras has signed to explore eight offshore blocks off Côte d’Ivoire’s equatorial margin under a production-sharing deal, with Petroci holding 10% and Petrobras operating via its subsidiary. Gold Value-Add: Simep will be able to refine up to 100 tonnes of gold annually, with the unit expected to start operations by end of H1 2027, as Côte d’Ivoire targets 100 tonnes by 2030. Logistics Costs: Shipping a 20-foot container from Abidjan to Douala nearly doubled in 2025 (+95%), raising regional trade friction for West African supply chains.

LNG Infrastructure in Abidjan: EXMAR secured a 10-year lease with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci for a 152,000 m³ FSRU (250 million ft³/d), with LNG imports starting 3Q27 and regasified gas feeding power generation—aimed at boosting energy security as demand rises. Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci 10%, expanding exploration on the equatorial margin. Offshore Oil Stake Moves: SOCAR completed a 10% acquisition in the Baleine project, joining Eni, Vitol and Petroci as the field scales up. Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units to curb illegal mining, with tougher penalties planned. Cocoa Market Pressure: Farmers were urged to stay calm after sharp farm-gate price drops for coffee and cocoa, blamed on shifting global supply expectations and domestic weather. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, making the route more expensive than Antwerp/Le Havre to Douala. Industrial Skills Push: China-Africa vocational education cooperation continues to build job-ready skills, with African competitors gaining pathways through skills competitions.

LNG & Power Buildout in Abidjan: Exmar signed a 10-year deal with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci for a 152,000 m³ FSRU (250 MMSCFD) in the Port of Abidjan, with LNG imports starting in Q3 2027 to feed gas-to-power demand—an energy-security push after earlier LNG plans stalled. Offshore Oil Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600…CI-702), taking a 90% operating stake via Petrobras Netherlands B.V., with Petroci Holding at 10%, aiming to replenish reserves along the equatorial margin. Gold Sector Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units to curb illegal gold mining, with tougher penalties and site rehabilitation plus reintegration for miners. Cocoa Market Pressure: Coffee and cocoa farmers were urged to stay calm as farm-gate prices fell sharply, blamed on shifting global supply expectations and severe domestic weather rather than collapsing demand. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs nearly doubled in 2025 (+95%), making the route more expensive than Antwerp/Le Havre links—raising pressure on regional supply chains. Investment Spotlight: Côte d’Ivoire will pitch its 2026–2030 plan at a New York Business and Investment Forum on Sept. 21, targeting infrastructure, energy, agriculture and technology with over US$80bn in financing intentions.

Energy & LNG Buildout: Exmar signed a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan Port for Côte d’Ivoire Energies and Petroci, with LNG imports set to start in Q3 2027 to feed power generation and regional demand. Oil & Gas Exploration Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600, CI-601, CI-602, CI-603, CI-605, CI-701, CI-702), taking a 90% operating stake via Petrobras Netherlands B.V., while Petroci Holding keeps 10%. Offshore Strategy & Partnerships: SOCAR acquired a 10% stake in the Baleine project (Eni 37.25%, Vitol 30%, Petroci 22.75%), reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s role in West Africa’s upstream growth. Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining permits for six months and will set up 21 river security units, expand brigades, and raise penalties to curb illegal mining and mercury-linked pollution. Industrial Investment Pipeline: Côte d’Ivoire will pitch $80B+ investment ambitions at a New York business forum on Sept. 21, targeting infrastructure, energy, agriculture and technology. Cocoa Supply Pressure: Cocoa prices eased as Ivory Coast harvest and port shipments rose, with “adequate supplies” weighing on near-term prices.

Offshore Oil & Gas Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600…CI-702) in Côte d’Ivoire, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci 10%, aiming to replenish reserves on the equatorial margin. LNG Import Leap: Exmar secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan for CI-Energies and Petroci, with LNG imports starting Q3 2027 to feed power generation and support regional demand. Gold Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units, with tougher penalties and plans for site rehabilitation and reintegration. Cocoa Supply Pressure: Cocoa prices slid as Ivory Coast shipments and harvest figures pointed to adequate near-term supply, even as Mars reported progress in its Cocoa For Generations sustainability push. Shipping Costs: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, raising logistics pressure for regional trade. Healthcare Infrastructure: Bouygues subsidiary Setao won a €95m contract to overhaul Yopougon University Hospital, targeting completion in May 2028.

Offshore Oil Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight new offshore blocks off Côte d’Ivoire, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci 10%, expanding exploration on the equatorial margin. LNG for Power Demand: Exmar secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan, with LNG imports due Q3 2027 to feed gas-to-power via CI-Energies and Petroci. Baleine Stake Shift: SOCAR completed a 10% acquisition in Eni’s Baleine project, keeping Eni (37.25%) and Vitol (30%) in place and reinforcing Côte d’Ivoire’s offshore investment momentum. Illegal Gold Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units, with tougher penalties and site rehabilitation plans. Local Gold Processing: Simep will be able to refine up to 100 tons of gold annually, with the unit set to start operations by end of H1 2027, supporting the push to process more locally. Healthcare Infrastructure: Bouygues’ Setao won a €95m contract to overhaul Yopougon University Hospital in Abidjan, targeting completion in May 2028. Cocoa Pressure: Cocoa prices fell as Ivory Coast supply looked stronger, with higher harvest and shipment figures weighing on near-term sentiment. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, raising regional transport costs and competitiveness concerns.

Offshore Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed exploration contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci Holding 10%, aiming to replenish reserves on the equatorial margin. LNG for Power Demand: EXMAR secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan, with LNG imports starting Q3 2027 to supply CI-Energies and boost electricity generation. Gold Sector Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units, with tougher penalties and plans for site rehabilitation and reintegration. Gold Processing Push: Simep will process up to 100 tons of gold annually, with the refinery expected to start operations by end of H1 2027, supporting the country’s 100-ton by 2030 target. Industrial & Infrastructure Delivery: Bouygues subsidiary Setao won a €95m contract to overhaul Yopougon University Hospital in Abidjan, including new theatres and imaging capacity, targeting completion in May 2028. Cocoa Supply Signals: Cocoa prices fell as near-term supplies looked adequate, with Ivory Coast shipment and harvest figures pointing to higher output.

Offshore Oil & Gas: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600, CI-601, CI-602, CI-603, CI-605, CI-701, CI-702), taking a 90% operating stake via Petrobras Netherlands B.V., with Petroci at 10%, as the company expands its African exploration push. Baleine Ownership Shuffle: Eni completed the sale of a 10% Baleine stake to SOCAR, leaving Eni at 37.25% (with Vitol 30% and Petroci 22.75%), boosting SOCAR’s entry into Côte d’Ivoire upstream. LNG-to-Power Buildout: EXMAR secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan for CI-Energies and Petroci, with LNG imports due Q3 2027 to feed power generation. Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units, with tougher penalties and site rehabilitation aimed at stopping illegal gold mining. Healthcare Infrastructure: Bouygues subsidiary Setao won a €95m contract to overhaul Yopougon University Hospital in Abidjan, targeting full completion by May 2028. Investment Pipeline: Côte d’Ivoire will take its 2026–2030 plan to New York on Sept 21, pitching projects in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and technology to global investors and development finance partners. Energy Market Context: Cocoa and broader commodity moves were mixed, with cocoa pressured by supply expectations and shipping data.

Illegal Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire plans to wipe out illegal gold mining within six months, boosting river surveillance, penalties, and ecological clean-up while pushing reintegration for miners. LNG & Power Infrastructure: Exmar secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan, with LNG imports due in Q3 2027 to feed electricity generation. Offshore Oil Push: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks, taking 90% operating stakes, as it expands deepwater exploration in Côte d’Ivoire. Offshore Equity Shuffle: Eni completed the sale of a 10% stake in the Baleine project to SOCAR; Eni keeps 37.25% as the field ramps toward higher output. Healthcare Construction: Bouygues’ Setao won a €95m contract to overhaul Yopougon University Hospital, targeting completion in May 2028. Industrial Investment Pipeline: Côte d’Ivoire will pitch $80bn+ investment ambitions at a New York business forum on Sept 21, spanning infrastructure, energy, agriculture and tech. Energy Governance: Abidjan Convention officials say funding is improving after renewed commitments, while outstanding contributions are still being chased.

Offshore Energy Deal: Eni has completed the sale of a 10% stake in Côte d’Ivoire’s Baleine oil and gas project to SOCAR, reshaping the ownership (Eni 37.25%, Vitol 30%, Petroci 22.75%, SOCAR 10%) as Baleine keeps producing 57,000 bpd oil and 78m cf/d gas, with a Phase 3 ramp-up planned. Gas-to-Power Expansion: Panoro Energy completed its acquisition of DNO CI LLC, taking an indirect 9.09% interest in Block CI-27, adding gas supply for Abidjan’s electricity market under a take-or-pay structure. Port Competitiveness Pressure: Ghana’s IEAG warns Tema port congestion and rising costs could push importers to route via Abidjan—an indirect reminder for Côte d’Ivoire’s logistics edge. Agribusiness & Prices: Arabica coffee slid to a fresh 10-week low on strong Brazil exports and good weather, while cocoa pricing stayed choppy amid supply signals from Ivory Coast. Local Industry & Jobs: Thor Explorations reported encouraging maiden drilling results at its Marahui gold project in northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, pointing to high-grade gold potential along a multi-kilometre strike.

Cocoa Finance Pressure: Ghana is struggling to raise domestic funds for the 2026/27 cocoa season as licensed buyers warn about GH¢4bn in unpaid debts, while investors demand higher risk premiums after COCOBOD’s funding costs jumped and offshore syndicated lending dried up. Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa prices are moving sideways—London and New York both trade in a tight band—amid mixed signals from Ivory Coast supply, including higher harvest and shipment figures. Energy & Gas Investment (Côte d’Ivoire): Panoro Energy completes its acquisition of DNO CI LLC, taking an indirect 9.09% interest in the CI-27 offshore gas block, with gas tied to Abidjan power generation under a take-or-pay structure. Port Competitiveness Risk (Ghana): IEAG warns Ghana could lose import trade to Abidjan if Tema Port congestion and clearance delays aren’t fixed before the December peak. Agribusiness Conservation (Côte d’Ivoire): IUCN names Ivorian agribusiness leader Jean-Louis Billon a Patron of Nature, citing SIFCA’s forest protection and sea turtle conservation. Mining Exploration (Côte d’Ivoire): Thor Explorations reports encouraging maiden drilling results at its Marahui Gold Project, highlighting multiple gold-rich intersections over a 4km strike length. Logistics & Trade Context: Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire agree to deepen security and trade cooperation, including stronger intelligence sharing and action against illegal gold mining. Creative Economy (Abidjan): The biama street-dance craze keeps expanding in Abidjan, turning working-class youth events into a growing local entertainment economy.