AGP Executive Report

Cocoa & Farm Incomes: Ivory Coast will keep the cocoa farmgate price at 1,200 CFA francs per kg for the main harvest, a decision that disappoints farmers after global prices surged then fell sharply. Telecom & Infrastructure: Orange Côte d’Ivoire warns it may take legal action after Espina’s construction work damaged fibre cables in Cocody Angre Djorobite, cutting fixed, mobile and internet services for 1,121 customers. Sports & National Teams: Jordan Ayew is expected to return to Ghana’s Black Stars squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers, with Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia fixtures in the coming weeks. Regional Football Leadership: Burkina Faso’s football federation president Oumarou Sawadogo takes over as WAFU B president after Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s resignation. Business & Investment: Sipef expands Côte d’Ivoire banana production by buying the Tiabam plantation in Tiassalé, adding 450 hectares (320 in production) to its certified estates. Mining & Lithium Options: Firering Strategic Minerals and Australasian Metals move forward with option deals covering Côte d’Ivoire lithium/tantalum projects, with potential majority stakes and exploration funding pathways. Public Health & Safety: Africa CDC highlights how managing rumours is key to stopping disease outbreaks, as misinformation can trigger deadly violence.

Cocoa Price Watch: Ivory Coast will keep the 2026/27 farmgate cocoa price at 1,200 CFA francs per kilogram for well-fermented, well-dried, well-sorted beans—disappointing farmers who had hoped for a rebound after the sharp cut earlier this year. Telecom & Justice: Orange Côte d’Ivoire says fibre cable damage in Cocody (Angre Djorobite) by a civil engineering firm has disrupted fixed, mobile and internet services for 1,121 customers, and warns it may pursue legal action. Sports & Regional Ties: Burkina Faso football boss Oumarou Sawadogo has taken over as WAFU B President, stepping in after Ibrahim Musa Gusau’s resignation. Migration & Health: MSF reports 1,046 survivors of Atlantic boat crossings disembarked in Mauritania and Senegal last week of August, many in critical condition, including women and minors. Mining & Investment: Firering Strategic Minerals has struck an exclusive 90-day option deal with Australasian Metals to advance Côte d’Ivoire lithium/tantalum projects, with potential cash consideration up to A$1.5m. Women’s Football Rewards: Nigeria’s NSC and finance ministry say they are finalising presidential rewards payments for the Super Falcons and D’Tigresses, including cash and housing steps already approved.

Maternal Health Focus: A new report highlights that Africa still accounts for over 70% of global maternal deaths, with women far more likely to die from preventable causes like postpartum hemorrhage—often due to delays in seeking care, reaching facilities, and getting timely treatment. Cocoa Economy: Côte d’Ivoire will keep the 2026/27 cocoa farmgate price at 1,200 CFA francs per kilogram for the main harvest, disappointing farmers who had hoped for a rebound after the March cut. Telecom Growth: MTN says service revenue rose 17.5% to R115bn in H1 2026, led by growth in markets including MTN Ivory Coast, as it pushes its Ambition 2030 strategy and expands networks. Sports & Talent: Coventry City completed the signing of Ivory Coast-born winger Yann Gboho from Toulouse, adding another Ivorian link to European club football. Global Policy Watch: The US published the DV-2026 “Green Card Lottery” country list, with West Africa featuring prominently.

Cocoa Policy: Ivory Coast will keep its 2026/27 cocoa farmgate price at 1,200 CFA francs per kg, buying only “well-fermented, well-dried, well-sorted” beans at the same rate introduced in March—an outcome farmers say is a major disappointment after hopes of a rise. Regional Trade & Industry: Klaveness Dry Bulk says it completed a milestone cement clinker shipment from Vietnam to Ivory Coast, reflecting a shift toward larger vessels and new sourcing patterns as West African ports expand. Immigration & Mobility: The US has published the full DV-2026 (Green Card Lottery) country list; West Africa features prominently, with 129,516 prospective applicants registered and selectees needing to act before Sept. 30, 2026. Sahel Diplomacy: Niger and France remain locked in a dispute over a thwarted mutiny in Niamey, with Paris calling Niger’s claims “pure fantasy.” Transport Business: Uber has ended operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, citing a wider global restructure, while saying it remains active in other African markets including Ghana.

Cocoa Policy: Ivory Coast will keep the 2026/27 farmgate cocoa price at 1,200 CFA francs per kg for well-fermented, dried and sorted beans, disappointing farmers who had hoped for a rebound after the March cut. Regional Trade & Risk: A Philippines agriculture circular orders a temporary ban on importing FMD-susceptible animals and products from at least 23 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, after lab-confirmed outbreaks. Transport & Jobs: Uber has shut down operations in Nigeria and Uganda effective Sept. 2 as part of a wider restructuring that also cuts about 3,300 jobs, while saying the rest of its African footprint remains active. Diplomacy & Security: France rejects Niger’s claim that Paris helped incite the Aug. 29 mutiny in Niamey, calling it “pure fantasy,” as Niger expands accusations and threatens international legal action. Oil & Investment: Benin-born oil veteran Samuel Dossou-Aworet is reported to hold Nigerian oil shares worth about $1.43bn, underscoring cross-border stakes in West Africa’s energy sector.

Cocoa Policy: Ivory Coast will keep the cocoa farmgate price at 1,200 CFA francs per kg for the 2026/27 main season, Agriculture Minister Bruno Nabagne Kone said, buying only “well-fermented, well-dried, well-sorted” beans at the same rate as the March mid-crop—leaving farmers disappointed after months of sector turmoil and a near-60% cut earlier this year. Regional Trade & Health: The Philippines has ordered a temporary ban on importing FMD-susceptible animals and products from at least 23 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, after lab-confirmed outbreaks. Mobility & Jobs: Uber is ending operations in Nigeria and Uganda effective Sept. 2, 2026, as part of a wider global restructure that includes cutting about 3,300 jobs; it says the pullout is limited to those two markets, while it continues in Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Energy & Investment: Work has started on first steel for an Eni FPSO at the Baleine Phase 3 project offshore Côte d’Ivoire, with the vessel designed for large-scale oil and gas handling. Sports (Local Interest): Coventry City signed Ivory Coast-born winger Yann Gboho from Toulouse ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Cocoa Policy: Ivory Coast kept its 2026/27 cocoa farmgate price unchanged at 1,200 CFA francs per kilogram, with harvesting running to Feb. 28, 2027—down sharply from 2,800 CFA in 2025/26—while the lower price raises smuggling concerns into Ghana, Liberia and Guinea. Oil & Gas Buildout: Wison New Energies started first steel for the Baleine Phase 3 FPSO hull offshore Ivory Coast, a project targeting 90,000 bpd oil and 160 MMcfd gas once on stream. Mining & Investment: Aurum Resources reported new high-grade gold intercepts from drilling at Boundiali’s BST1 deposit in Côte d’Ivoire and outlined plans for 130,000m of drilling in 2026. Sports (Regional): Ghana’s football federation reappointed Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars head coach for a new mandate ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers, including a Sept. 23 clash vs Ivory Coast. Health & Trade Risk: A Philippines order temporarily bans imports of foot-and-mouth disease–susceptible animals and products from at least 23 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire.

Cocoa Policy: Côte d’Ivoire kept its cocoa farmgate price unchanged for the 2026/27 main crop season at 1,200 CFA francs per kg, with harvesting running to Feb. 28, 2027—down sharply from 2,800 CFA francs in 2025/26—raising renewed smuggling concerns as Ghana prepares its own periodic price reviews. Agriculture & Health: The Philippines ordered a temporary ban on importing FMD-susceptible animals and related products from at least 23 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, after lab-confirmed foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks were reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Energy & Industry: Eni’s Baleine Phase 3 offshore project in Côte d’Ivoire advanced with first steel cut for a new FPSO hull by Wison New Energies, designed for 90,000 bpd oil and 160 MMcfd gas, with partners including Vitol, Petroci and Socar. Sports (Regional Talent): Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande is being eased into Real Madrid action under a “take it little by little” plan, while Coventry completed a permanent signing of Ivory Coast-born winger Yann Gboho from Toulouse. Business (Mining): Aurum Resources reported new high-grade gold drill intercepts at its Boundiali BST1 deposit in Côte d’Ivoire, supporting continued resource growth potential.

Ghana Football: The Ghana Football Association has reappointed Carlos Queiroz as Black Stars head coach for the next phase, after his World Cup mandate ended following a 1-0 loss to Colombia; the GFA says he will lead preparations for 2027 AFCON qualifiers starting with the international window. Cocoa Policy (Ivory Coast): Ivory Coast will keep the farmgate cocoa price unchanged at 1,200 CFA francs per kilo for the main harvest, disappointing farmers after earlier hopes of a rebound. Oil & Gas (Ivory Coast): First steel has been cut for Eni’s West Africa FPSO at the Baleine Phase 3 project offshore Ivory Coast, with production expected to feed domestic gas markets once on stream. Gold (Ivory Coast): Aurum Resources reports new high-grade gold drill intercepts at its Boundiali BST1 deposit, extending mineralisation and flagging further drilling through 2026. Public Health (Africa): WHO says the DRC Ebola outbreak is now the worst in the country’s history, with vaccine trials planned as cases spread across borders. Mobility (Africa): Uber has shut down ride-hailing in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, leaving it active in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Cocoa Price Watch (Côte d’Ivoire): Ivory Coast will keep the farmgate cocoa price unchanged at 1,200 CFA francs per kilo for the 2026/27 main harvest, a decision that disappoints farmers after hopes of a rebound. Gold Drilling Update (Côte d’Ivoire): Kobo Resources says diamond drilling at its Kossou Gold Project has extended high-grade gold mineralisation north and at depth, with multiple strong intercepts including 68.60 g/t Au over 1.0 m. Regional Security Frameworks: A report revisits West Africa’s coastal defence plans, arguing that initiatives on paper have struggled to match the pace of jihadist advances. Uber Exit (Africa, incl. Côte d’Ivoire context): Uber has shut down in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect, cutting about 3,300 jobs globally and leaving it active in only four African markets—a sign of shifting strategy after earlier withdrawals from Ivory Coast and Tanzania. Football (Ghana, regional link): Ghana’s Black Stars reappointed Carlos Queiroz as coach for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with officials defending his World Cup approach.

Cocoa Price Shock for Farmers: Ivory Coast will keep the farmgate cocoa price unchanged at 1,200 CFA francs per kilo for the 2026/27 main harvest, a decision that disappointed growers after hopes of a rise. Political Cocoa Debate in Ghana: UP’s Solomon Owusu challenged Ghana’s NPP over cocoa pricing, pointing to the Ivorian 1,200 CFA rate versus Ghana’s higher producer price, arguing for a more honest public discussion. Uber Exits Two African Markets: Uber shut down operations in Nigeria and Uganda effective September 2, after a global restructuring that includes cutting 3,300 jobs, leaving it operating in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Abidjan Toxic Waste Fallout: Survivors of the 2006 Probo Koala disaster say they are still waiting for promised cleanup funds, after a controversial settlement that limited further legal action. Football Leadership Update: Ghana’s FA confirmed Carlos Queiroz will stay on as Black Stars coach under a new mandate. Regional Security Tensions: Niger’s military alleges an attempted coup involved neighboring states and France, with claims tied to ECOWAS and support routes through Abidjan.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire is ramping up local cocoa processing as farmgate prices fall, aiming to lift installed capacity from 1.155 million tonnes to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026/27 after new plants come online, with officials also calling for more research, mechanisation and better plant protection. Rural Connectivity: The country also launched an XOF 38 billion rural connectivity project covering 575 localities, part of efforts to extend services beyond major cities. Regional Power Links: West Africa is expanding electricity integration with over 4,000 km of transmission lines linking 15 countries, boosting cross-border power trade and improving access for millions across the region. Football & Identity: Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he is stepping back from international duty, accusing authorities of “humiliating” him after the 2025 AFCON in Morocco—an episode that also reignited debate across the region about how teams are managed. Global Business Note: Uber has ended operations in Uganda (and also Nigeria), leaving it active in only four African markets: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Cocoa Value Push: Côte d’Ivoire opened the 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days in Abidjan, with officials saying new plants will lift processing capacity to 1.344 million tonnes in 2026/27 from 1.155 million tonnes now, as farmgate prices fall and the country keeps the minimum guaranteed price at 1,200 CFA francs/kg. Market Pressure: Cocoa prices eased on larger Ivory Coast supplies and rising inventories, even as quality worries from West Africa’s crop risks continue to support the market. Power for Growth: The World Bank says West Africa has expanded cross-border electricity links with over 4,000 km of lines across 15 countries, helping more people access power and boosting regional power trade. Housing Crunch in Abidjan: An AFP report highlights how Abidjan residents struggle to find affordable, decent homes, with rental costs outpacing the minimum wage. Football & Transfers: Sunderland’s Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra and attacker Abdoullah Ba could still leave after England’s deadline, with Ajax linked to Adingra as the Netherlands window stays open.

Housing Crunch in Abidjan: A new AFP report puts Abidjan’s rental squeeze in sharp focus, with families struggling to find decent homes on wages that don’t stretch far enough, as UN-Habitat warns rental unaffordability is among the worst in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa futures keep rallying as traders price in West African crop risks, with concerns over pod quality and weaker outlooks in both Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Cocoa Living Income Push: Fairtrade Africa calls for stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to close the living income gap, citing new living income reference prices for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Electricity Subsidy Pressure: Nigeria’s electricity subsidy bill hit N1.92trn in 2025 as tariffs stayed frozen below production costs—another reminder of how energy policy can strain public finances. Football—Ivory Coast Links Abroad: Ajax are reportedly close to signing Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra on loan ahead of the Netherlands deadline, while Chelsea confirmed Ivory Coast midfielder David Datro Fofana’s move to Servette. Business—Regional Banking: Nedbank’s bid to buy 66% of Kenya’s NCBA cleared another hurdle after Central Bank of Kenya approval, with NCBA also operating digitally in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Rural Connectivity Push: Côte d’Ivoire has completed the first phase of its National Rural Connectivity Programme (PNCR), commissioning new telecom sites and aiming to connect 575 rural localities under a XOF 38bn budget to close the digital divide and expand public e-services. Cocoa Price Pressure: Cocoa futures surged on supply fears as West African crop quality concerns grow—disease and weather are expected to hit bean quality in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, while early estimates point to a weaker 2026/27 season. Fair Income for Farmers: Fairtrade Africa urged stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to speed progress toward living income, citing new living income reference prices for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Housing Crunch in Abidjan: A new report highlights how Abidjan’s fast growth is outpacing decent, affordable housing, with many households struggling to find homes within budgets despite the minimum wage. Trade & Business Links: Afrikrea has relaunched under its original name on its 10th anniversary, restoring a platform for African and diaspora creators.

Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa futures surged to 11-month highs as traders priced in worsening West African crop risks, with reports pointing to poor pod development in Côte d’Ivoire and disease and weather pressure in Ghana. Fair Income Push for Farmers: Fairtrade Africa urged stronger coordination across the cocoa chain to close the living income gap, citing new reference prices including 1,758 CFA francs/kg for Côte d’Ivoire. Digital Connectivity: Côte d’Ivoire launched the first phase of its XOF 38 billion rural connectivity push, targeting 575 communities and expanding access to public e-services. Housing Crunch in Abidjan: An AFP report highlights how Abidjan’s fast growth is colliding with unaffordable rentals, leaving many families priced out despite economic gains. Trade & Business Links: Afrikrea relaunches under its original name on its 10th anniversary, aiming to reconnect African and diaspora creators with global buyers. US Deportation List: The US published an updated deportation list of 427 people from West Africa, including 15 from Côte d’Ivoire.