AGP Executive Report

Telemedicine in Côte d’Ivoire: Umed eHealth Center is using video consultations in Abidjan to cut travel and waiting times for minor cases like malaria tests, easing pressure on hospitals. Real Madrid & Ivory Coast spotlight: Jose Mourinho began his second Real Madrid spell with a 2-1 win over Espanyol, while new Ivorian winger Yan Diomande says he’s ready to force his way into the starting XI after his blockbuster move. US visa policy reversal hits West Africa: A US judge struck down Trump’s immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Ivory Coast, restoring hope for affected families. Football injury update: Manchester United left Ivorian winger Amad Diallo out of the squad for their Premier League opener after a late training “niggle,” with hopes for a quick return. Cocoa market watch: London cocoa dipped, as Ivory Coast’s regulator says it’s ready for EU anti-deforestation rules, but exporters warn compliance could disrupt purchases and exports. Regional faith event: Vatican Cardinal Czerny urged West African youth to prepare for the inaugural West Africa Youth Day in Accra.

Real Madrid & Ivory Coast Football: José Mourinho began his second spell with a 2-1 win at Espanyol as substitute Carlos Espí scored a late winner, while the spotlight stays on Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande after his record-breaking move to Madrid. US Immigration Ruling: A US judge in Manhattan struck down Donald Trump’s immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Ivory Coast, saying the policy was unlawful and beyond the State Department’s authority. Cocoa & EU Rules: Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator says it’s ready for new EU anti-deforestation rules, but exporters warn compliance systems due next month could disrupt bean purchases and exports. Sahel Security: A new Global Terrorism Index report says the Sahel has become the world’s deadliest terrorism hotspot, accounting for over half of terrorism deaths in 2025. Maritime Leadership (Ghana): Commodore Stephen Billings Nyam took over as FOC Western Naval Command, with Ghana citing shifting maritime security needs in the region.

US Visa Ruling Hits West Africa: A US federal judge struck down Donald Trump’s immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria—calling the policy unlawful and beyond the State Department’s powers. Ivory Coast Star Update in Europe: Manchester United confirmed Amad Diallo, the Ivory Coast winger, is out of the Premier League opener vs Hull City due to a minor training “niggle,” with the club assessing his return timeline. Real Madrid & Mourinho Era: Real Madrid kick off Jose Mourinho’s second spell against Espanyol, with new signings including Ivory Coast forward Yan Diomande—who says he’s ready to “die” for Mourinho. African Qualifiers in Focus: Window 4 of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers runs late August, with Group E in Radès (Tunisia) and Group F in Dakar (Senegal), using the Dakar Arena and Radès Arena as key venues. Cocoa Livelihood Pressure: Fairtrade Africa will convene in Accra for Change Day 2026, highlighting living-income gaps for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana cocoa farmers as EU rules tighten.

Cocoa Living Income Push: Fairtrade Africa will hold Change Day 2026 in Accra on 27 August, unveiling 2026 Fairtrade Living Income Reference Prices for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to help close the gap between farm-gate cocoa prices and a living income for smallholders. West Africa Cocoa Worries: Cocoa prices have bounced on fears of smaller crops, with early signals pointing to weaker pod development in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Oil & Gas Deal: Panoro Energy has signed an $80m agreement to buy DNO’s indirect stake in four producing offshore gas fields in Côte d’Ivoire’s Block CI-27, supplying the domestic market. World Cup Qualifiers Venues: The 2027 African qualifiers’ fourth window will run 27–30 August, with Group E in Radès (Tunisia) and Group F in Dakar (Senegal), using Dakar Arena and Radès Arena. Sports Spotlight (Ivory Coast): Real Madrid’s Ivorian teen Yan Diomandé says he’s ready to “die” for José Mourinho as he prepares for the season opener; meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly demanding over £70m for Yankuba Minteh.

Oil & Gas: Petrobras says Ghana’s Ministry has approved it to negotiate exploration contracts for four offshore blocks in the Keta Basin, as the Brazilian state-run firm looks to expand beyond Brazil and includes Ivory Coast in its Africa plans. Cocoa & Trade: Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator says it is ready for the EU’s new anti-deforestation rules, with digital “producer cards” set to start tracking beans from September 1—though exporters warn the compliance system could disrupt purchases and exports. Sports (Ivory Coast spotlight): Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho era begins with a rebuilt squad, highlighted by Ivorian winger Yan Diomandé—who says he feels no pressure and is “ready to die” for Mourinho after a record move from RB Leipzig. West Africa Football: The 2027 World Cup African qualifiers’ fourth window is set for Dakar and Radès from Aug 27–30, with venues and rest days confirmed for Groups E and F. Health & Water: WHO/UNICEF report finds many West African health facilities still miss basic sanitation standards, raising concerns for patient dignity and safety.

Energy Deal: Panoro Energy has signed an $80m definitive agreement to buy DNO’s indirect stake in four producing offshore gas fields in Côte d’Ivoire’s Block CI-27, boosting Panoro’s presence in the country’s fast-growing oil-and-gas sector; the deal covers DNO CI LLC (with a 9.09% indirect interest), where gas is piped to shore and supplies the domestic market, with 2025 output averaging about 195 MMscfd gas and 1,380 bpd liquids. Cocoa Watch: Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa regulator says it is ready for the EU’s anti-deforestation rules, with digital “producer cards” meant to trace beans from farms to ports starting from the 2026/27 season on Sept. 1—though exporters warn the new compliance system could disrupt purchases and exports. Sports Talent Abroad: Seattle Reign has signed Ivory Coast forward Ami Diallo through 2028, adding another Ivory Coast name to the NWSL after her WAFCON run and CAF Women’s Champions League experience. Football Transfers (Regional): Newcastle is reported to have approached Galatasaray for Ivory Coast defender Wilfried Singo, with talks centered on a potential €40m offer.

EU Cocoa Rules: Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator says it’s ready for the EU’s new anti-deforestation requirements, with digital “producer cards” meant to prove traceability from farms to ports starting Sept. 1—though exporters warn the system could slow purchases and shipments. Climate & Prices: With El Niño forecast to become “very strong” later this year, cocoa prices have jumped again as drought risk threatens West African harvests in Ivory Coast and Ghana, while analysts also flag possible fertiliser shortages. Energy Deal: Panoro Energy has agreed to buy DNO’s Côte d’Ivoire gas business (Block CI-27), a move expected to lift Panoro output and deepen its presence in the country. Sports (Women’s Football): Seattle Reign signed Ivory Coast forward Ami Diallo through 2028, and Bernadette Amani says her Bayern Munich success reflects a higher level of professionalism. Tech & Telecom: Blue Cloud Softech signed an MoA with GCIB and Côte d’Ivoire’s Afro Mobile to develop fibre, 4G/5G, digital identity and other digital infrastructure across Africa.

Energy & Investment: Panoro Energy signed a deal to acquire DNO’s subsidiary DNO CI, giving it an indirect 9.09% stake in offshore Côte d’Ivoire’s Block CI-27 gas project—boosting group production and reserves and strengthening its West Africa portfolio. Cocoa & Trade: Cocoa prices are swinging with the dollar and weather—reports of strong flowering in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are weighing on prices, while higher shipments from Côte d’Ivoire and production forecasts keep the market tightly watched. Sports (Local & Regional): Ivorian forward Ami Diallo has signed with Seattle Reign through 2028 after a standout run with ASEC Mimosas, while Côte d’Ivoire’s football continues to draw global attention through player moves and CAF competitions. Public Health & Research: Tanzania launched a trial on probiotics to improve rotavirus vaccine protection, with Ivory Coast among participating countries. Governance & Environment: COP17 Bureau meetings in Ulaanbaatar focused on land degradation and drought cooperation, with Côte d’Ivoire among the vice-presidents.

Cocoa & Climate Watch: Cocoa prices are moving on El Niño-linked supply worries, with Ivory Coast shipments reported down sharply and inventories tight in the US, while traders also watch for weather shifts that could later boost yields. Women’s Football: Cameroon won WAFCON 2026 with a 3-0 final win over Malawi, sealing World Cup spots for the semi-finalists and highlighting how the expanded 16-team format is reshaping the competition. Football Transfers (Ivory Coast links): Seattle Reign signed Ivorian forward Ami Diallo through 2028 after a standout run with ASEC Mimosas, and Ivory Coast international striker Jean-Philippe Wahi is reportedly pushing for another move to OGC Nice after a productive loan. COP17 (Land & Drought): COP17’s first Bureau meeting in Ulaanbaatar focused on organizing conference work, land degradation and drought solutions, and future cooperation, with Côte d’Ivoire among the elected vice-presidents. Local Sports & Talent: ASEC Mimosas’ success continues to feed into international leagues, while Côte d’Ivoire’s youth basketball also stays in the spotlight after recent AfroBasket results.

Ivory Coast Football Abroad: Seattle Reign have signed Ivorian forward Ami Diallo through 2028 after paying an undisclosed fee to ASEC Mimosas, betting on her 31-goal season and Champions League run. WAFCON 2026 Spotlight: Cameroon won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in years, beating Malawi 3-0 in the final; Marie Ngah Manga took the Best Player prize and Temwa Chawinga won Golden Boot. Cocoa Watch: Cocoa prices are moving on El Niño fears and supply signals, with Ivory Coast port shipments reported down sharply in recent data while inventories and weather expectations keep traders on edge. EU Rules Pressure: West African cocoa exporters face tighter compliance as the EU deforestation rules tighten traceability demands, raising costs for fragmented small-farm supply chains. Business & Finance: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group are partnering to expand supply chain finance across Côte d’Ivoire and four other West African markets, aiming to boost SME working capital. Sports Talent Pipeline: Middlesbrough midfielder Abdoulaye Kante, an Ivory Coast youth prospect, earned a start after strong pre-season form.

Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa futures are swinging as traders weigh “exceptional” flowering conditions in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana against tighter stocks and future weather risks. El Niño Risk: Global forecasters warn a “very strong” El Niño could disrupt rainfall and stress tropical crops, a key worry for cocoa, coffee and sugar. EU Deforestation Rules: West African cocoa exporters face higher traceability costs and tighter compliant supply as EU anti-deforestation enforcement nears, raising pressure on farmers and buyers. Women’s Football: Cameroon won WAFCON 2026 with a 3-0 final win over Malawi, while Côte d’Ivoire’s women reached the tournament and were highlighted among the beneficiaries of the expanded format. Sports & Talent: Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessié is reportedly open to a pay cut to join Al-Ittihad’s rivals, while another Ivorian, Abdoulaye Kante, earned a start for Middlesbrough after impressing in training. Community & Business: Veefin Solutions and NSIA Group partner to expand supply chain finance across Côte d’Ivoire and four other West African markets.

WAFCON Awards: Cameroon’s Monique Ngock was named Best Player of WAFCON 2026, while Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga won the Golden Boot with five goals and two assists in the tournament’s historic run. Ivory Coast Sports Spotlight: The Côte d’Ivoire women’s football story continues to surface in WAFCON coverage, including player mentions like Ines Konan as the competition’s top scorers list took shape. Local Football Development: Medeama SC says it will fix defensive issues after a 2-2 pre-season draw in Ivory Coast, promising cleaner sheets before the 2026/27 season starts. Youth Basketball (Côte d’Ivoire): Nathan Djako starred as Côte d’Ivoire won the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket in Abidjan, beating Senegal 73–51 and finishing 6–0 to lift the title. Agriculture: Côte d’Ivoire is replanting ageing coconut plantations, with a national plan aiming to renew all old orchards over the next decade.

Coconut Renewal in Côte d’Ivoire: Côte d’Ivoire is replanting ageing coconut plantations, with the state-backed programme aiming to renew all old orchards over the next decade and expand to 100,000 hectares, after CNRA introduced high-demand hybrids PB113 and PB121. EU Cocoa Pressure: West African cocoa producers, including Ivory Coast, are struggling to meet the EU’s anti-deforestation rules, raising fears of supply disruptions and higher costs for chocolate makers as farm mapping and traceability requirements tighten. Gold Update from Boundiali: Aurum Resources says drilling at its Boundiali project in Côte d’Ivoire returned high-grade results, including 3m at 80.09 g/t, as it extends mineralisation at BST1 and BST2. Energy Finance for West Africa: Genser Energy secured a EUR 456m credit package to fund ongoing EPC work and expand gas-to-power infrastructure across West Africa, building on earlier financing in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Youth Basketball Glory: Côte d’Ivoire won the U18 AfroBasket title in Abidjan, beating Senegal 73–51, with Nathan Djako named MVP after a perfect 6–0 run. Sports Spotlight: Real Madrid’s pre-season featured Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, with Mourinho upbeat that the squad is starting to “look like a team” ahead of LaLiga.

Mining & Investment in Côte d’Ivoire: Aurum Resources says it has returned further high-grade gold from its Boundiali project, reporting standout drill results including 3m at 80.09 g/t at BST1 (plus 2m at 117.73 g/t) and 3m at 27.65 g/t at BST2, with drilling confirming mineralisation beyond the current resource and both systems still open. WAFCON Awards: Cameroon’s Monique Ngock was named WAFCON 2026 Best Player, while Malawi’s Temwa Chawinga won the Golden Boot with five goals and two assists; Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina took Best Goalkeeper. Basketball in Abidjan: Côte d’Ivoire hosted the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket, where Mali and Nigeria reached the final; Mali won the title after beating Nigeria 77–68, with Maimouna Traoré named MVP. Football Spotlight: Real Madrid beat Schalke 3–0 in a friendly as Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande made his first appearance, while the week also highlighted Diomande’s rapid rise after starring for Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup.

Real Madrid Friendly Buzz (Ivory Coast link): Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid thrashed Schalke 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly, with Kylian Mbappe scoring early and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande making his first appearance for the club after joining in a big-money summer move. West Africa Transformation: A new report traces how the Gulf of Guinea coast—from Lagos to Abidjan—is turning separate cities and ports into a more connected urban and economic corridor, with major implications for jobs, trade, and growth. Border Tensions (Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire): Coverage highlights how social-media claims of jihadists “entering from the border” are fueling a growing diplomatic rift, while the on-the-ground security picture is described as more complex. Women’s Football (WAFCON fallout): Ghana beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in the Women’s World Cup qualification play-off, keeping qualification hopes alive and setting up the next stage against Spain. Local Sports (Basketball in Abidjan): The FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket is reaching its climax in Abidjan, with Mali and Nigeria set for the final after securing World Cup tickets.

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers (Côte d’Ivoire): Ghana’s Black Queens fought back to beat Côte d’Ivoire 2-1 in Casablanca, keeping their 2027 Women’s World Cup dream alive after a penalty early on and a late spot-kick winner from Josephine Bonsu. Basketball (Abidjan): Mali and Nigeria booked Africa’s two spots for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup in China, with the final set for Sunday at the Palais des Sports Treichville. Sports (Ivory Coast spotlight): MTN and Huawei say they’ve validated an AI-driven fibre-sensing system in Abidjan that can detect vibrations around underground cables to help prevent cuts. Local Football (Ghana): Medeama SC coach Ibrahim Tanko says his side’s Abidjan pre-season camp is improving their attack, while they work on tightening up defending ahead of the new season. Business/Mining (Côte d’Ivoire): EU Gold Mining reports results from its maiden diamond drilling at the Kimoukro gold project, saying it confirmed bedrock gold mineralisation and refined its target model.