AGP Executive Report

Clean Mobility: Spiro and ESP have launched a Rwanda pilot training women to work in electric transport, with plans to reach 5,000 participants across Africa by 2030. Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire’s agronomic research center has developed 11 promising cocoa varieties tested for tolerance to water stress, as rainfall has declined and become less predictable. Marine Protection: Naval and coast guard leaders meeting in Abidjan identified marine pollution among the threats requiring regional training and coordinated action.

Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire’s CNRA researchers have developed 11 promising cocoa varieties that are less sensitive to water shortages, aiming to help farmers cope with hotter, less predictable weather. The country’s rainfall has trended downward since the 1980s, putting a crop that supports millions at risk. Marine Protection: Naval and coast guard chiefs meeting in Abidjan set regional priorities for 2027, including training to tackle marine pollution and stronger coordination across West African waters. Nature in Development: The African Development Bank has begun a second phase of work with 13 African countries to use natural-resource accounts in public planning and budgets, and help direct investment toward nature.

Marine Protection: Côte d’Ivoire and Maritime Zone F partners met in Abidjan to set 2027 priorities, including training and coordinated responses to marine pollution. Mining: Perseus Mining says its Yaouré underground operation has reached commercial production as the company reports stronger-than-planned gold output. Coastal Impacts: In Cameroon, fishers say offshore platforms restrict access to fishing grounds; a new report also highlights tar balls and stranded dolphins among the costs to coastal communities and marine life. Cocoa and Climate: Poor weather and crop disease in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are driving cocoa prices higher, underscoring how conditions in the region’s major growing areas affect farmers and global supply.

Marine Protection: Maritime Zone F’s naval and coast guard chiefs met in Abidjan to plan regional operations and 2027 priorities, including training on marine pollution and stronger cooperation to protect shared waters. Cocoa and Climate: Côte d’Ivoire’s poor weather and crop disease have helped drive global cocoa prices higher. African industry leaders are also pressing for more local processing and a greater share of cocoa’s value. Illegal Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts against illegal gold mining as production has risen sharply, from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023. Nature Finance: A new African Development Bank initiative will help 13 countries use natural-resource accounts in budgets and development plans, aiming to steer investment toward nature.

Cocoa and Climate: Poor weather and crop disease in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are pushing up global cocoa prices, adding pressure on farmers and chocolate buyers. Fairtrade Bananas: From January 2027, minimum prices for Côte d’Ivoire’s conventional bananas will rise 3% and organic bananas 2.5%; the separate Fairtrade Premium is unchanged. Illegal Gold Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts against illegal mining as official gold production climbed from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank is launching a second phase to help 13 countries include the value of natural resources in public budgets and development plans. Extreme Heat: A global analysis finds the largest heat event this decade covered nearly 85% of Earth and lasted 367 days, underscoring how rapidly extreme heat is expanding.

Cocoa & Climate: Heavy rain disrupted Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa harvest and transport, after earlier dry spells stressed crops. Forecasters warn that drier conditions could return, while a record heat storm this decade covered nearly 85% of the planet. Illegal Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts against illegal gold mining as official production has climbed sharply, reaching 51 tonnes in 2023, up from 13 tonnes in 2012. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a new initiative to help 13 countries factor natural assets into budgets and development plans, and attract investment that benefits nature.

Cocoa & Climate: Poor weather in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s top cocoa producer, has disrupted harvests and transport, while concern about further dry conditions is adding pressure to global cocoa prices. Illegal Gold Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts to curb illegal gold mining, as an Africa-wide report highlights the scale of gold smuggling and lost public revenue. Extreme Heat: A Reuters analysis finds vast, prolonged “heat storms” have grown sharply more frequent: averaging about 102 a year this decade, compared with five in the 1960s. The largest lasted 367 days and covered nearly 85% of the planet. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a project to help 13 countries factor natural assets into public budgets and development plans, and attract investment that benefits nature.

Cocoa and Climate: Dry weather across much of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt has raised fresh concerns about harvests, adding to weather pressures that have disrupted supply and driven up prices. Illegal Mining: A report says Côte d’Ivoire’s official gold production rose from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023, while highlighting the country’s push to tackle illegal mining and smuggling. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a project to help 13 African countries use natural-resource accounts in budgeting and development plans; the countries involved were not specified. Biodiversity: Ahead of COP17, 113 countries—58% of parties to the UN nature treaty—had submitted updated biodiversity plans, leaving many still behind on commitments to protect nature by 2030. Extreme Heat: A global analysis found the largest heat event recorded lasted 367 days and affected nearly 85% of the planet, underscoring the scale of growing climate risks.

Cocoa and Climate: Dry weather across most of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt last week renewed concern over the coming harvest, after heavy rains disrupted crops and transport. With the country the world’s largest cocoa producer, further weather swings could affect farmers and global supply. Illegal Gold Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up its fight against illegal gold mining as official production has climbed from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023. Enforcement remains key to bringing more of the country’s gold trade into formal channels.

Cocoa and Weather: Dry conditions across much of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt are raising concerns about harvests and supply, as volatile weather continues to unsettle the world’s top cocoa producer. Extreme Heat: A global analysis finds giant, long-lasting heat events have become far more common; the largest on record lasted 367 days and covered nearly 85% of the planet, underscoring the growing climate risks facing farms and communities. Illegal Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts against illegal gold mining, which threatens ecosystems while diverting production from official channels. Nature in Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a project to help 13 countries use natural-resource data in budgets and development plans, directing investment toward nature-positive outcomes.

Cocoa & Climate: Dry weather across much of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt is raising concerns about the crop, after earlier heavy rain disrupted harvests and transport. Unpredictable weather is adding to pressure on global cocoa supplies. Extreme Heat: A new analysis finds the biggest heat events have grown dramatically: one lasted 367 days and covered nearly 85% of Earth, underscoring the scale of climate risks for people and ecosystems. Illegal Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts against illegal gold mining. The country’s official gold production rose from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023, while illicit trading continues to drain resources across the region. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a second phase of work with 13 African countries to bring the value of natural resources into public budgets and development plans. Shared Waters: A new West African forum, launched in Abidjan, aims to improve cooperation on shared rivers, water management and climate resilience.

Illegal Gold Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up its fight against illegal gold mining, part of a wider effort to curb smuggling that deprives African governments of revenue. The country’s official gold output rose from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023. Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a new phase of support for 13 countries to bring the value of natural resources into public budgets and investment plans. Cocoa and Climate: Dry weather across much of Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt is raising concerns about crop prospects, after heavy rain disrupted harvests and transport. Regional Water: A forum launched in Abidjan is promoting cooperation on West Africa’s 28 shared river basins, which cover 71% of the region and are central to climate resilience. Biodiversity: Ahead of COP17, 113 countries—58% of parties to the UN nature agreement—have submitted updated plans to help halt biodiversity loss by 2030, while many remain behind.

Nature Finance: The African Development Bank has launched a new phase of support for 13 countries to bring the value of natural resources into budgets and development plans, aiming to steer investment toward nature. Illegal Mining: Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up its fight against illegal gold mining as official output climbs from 13 tonnes in 2012 to 51 tonnes in 2023. Water Cooperation: A regional forum launched in Abidjan is promoting joint management of West Africa’s shared rivers, which cover 71% of the region. Climate and Cocoa: Dry weather in Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt is raising concerns over harvests, while scientists are developing climate-resistant cocoa varieties. A Reuters investigation also found that the largest recorded “heat storm” lasted 367 days and spread across nearly 85% of the planet.

Extreme Heat: A record “heat storm” covered nearly 85% of the planet over 367 days, Reuters reports, highlighting how heat events are growing larger and longer. The analysis notes that West Africa was reached by a major heat wave in the 1960s. Cocoa and Climate: Heavy rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire disrupted cocoa harvests and transport after earlier dry conditions had stressed crops, adding to price pressures. Ivorian scientists are also developing climate-resilient cocoa varieties as rains become less reliable. Water Cooperation: A regional water forum launched in Abidjan is seeking stronger collaboration on shared rivers and water management, a pressing issue for West Africa’s climate resilience.

Extreme Heat: A Reuters analysis finds that the largest heat events have grown dramatically, with one recent “heat storm” covering nearly 85% of the planet. The findings underline mounting climate risks for West Africa. Water Cooperation: A new regional dialogue framework launched in Abidjan aims to strengthen cross-border water management. West Africa has 28 shared river basins, making cooperation key to climate resilience. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Ivorian scientists have bred cocoa varieties designed to withstand harsher conditions as rains fail, offering hope for the world’s top cocoa producer. Cleaner Air: Researchers say African countries could save billions by tackling air pollution and greenhouse gases together, while reducing illness and premature deaths.

Extreme Heat: A Reuters analysis finds that “heat storms”—vast, long-lasting heat waves—have grown dramatically: the largest identified this decade covered nearly 85% of the planet and lasted 367 days. Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Ivorian scientists have bred tougher cocoa varieties to help the world’s leading producer cope with failing rains and a changing climate. Water Cooperation: A new West African forum, launched in Abidjan, aims to strengthen collaboration on shared rivers, water management and climate resilience across the region’s 28 transboundary basins. Clean Air: Researchers say cutting air pollution and greenhouse gases together could save African countries billions in health costs and lost productivity; polluted air was linked to nearly one million premature deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023. Energy: GE Vernova will supply a gas turbine for a 372-megawatt power plant near Abidjan, expanding electricity capacity as Côte d’Ivoire faces the challenge of meeting demand while advancing its climate goals.