AGP Executive Report

Cleaner Air: New research says African countries could save billions by cutting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions together, through measures that also reduce healthcare costs and illness-related lost work. Air pollution caused nearly one million premature deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, with polluting cooking fuels a major source. Sahel Displacement: Nearly 3.8 million people have been displaced in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—more than double the 2020 figure. UNHCR says climate-related shocks, attacks on civilians and funding shortfalls are worsening the crisis. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that show promise under water stress, as declining, less reliable rainfall threatens a crop that supports about five million people. Mining Pollution: Researchers in Côte d’Ivoire are developing ways to clean up pollution at illegal gold-mining sites.

Climate and Displacement: Nearly four million people have fled their homes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, more than double the 2020 figure. UNHCR says climate shocks, attacks and funding shortfalls are deepening the crisis. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Ivorian researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that show promise under water stress, as falling and less predictable rainfall threatens a crop vital to millions of livelihoods. Mining Pollution: Researchers in Côte d’Ivoire are developing ways to clean up sites damaged by illegal gold mining.

Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Ivorian researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that show promise under water stress, as declining and less reliable rainfall threatens a crop that supports about five million people. The varieties are still being tested before possible release to farmers. Energy Investment: Côte d’Ivoire is seeking more than $10 billion by 2030 for oil and gas developments, pipelines, LNG facilities and power generation, underscoring the scale of its planned energy expansion. Mining Pollution: Researchers are developing ways to decontaminate sites polluted by illegal gold mining, though details of the proposed solutions have not been reported.

Cocoa Community Resilience: Mars and Côte d’Ivoire health nonprofit Elucid are launching a three-year programme to help up to 12,750 cocoa-growing households access national health insurance, aiming to protect livelihoods from health shocks. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Researchers at the National Centre for Agronomic Research have identified 11 cocoa varieties that performed well in tests under water stress. They hope to make the drought-tolerant varieties available to farmers as declining rainfall threatens a crop vital to millions of livelihoods. Mining Pollution: Ivorian researchers are developing ways to clean up sites polluted by illegal gold mining, according to a report on efforts to tackle the damage.

Cocoa and Climate: Ivorian researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that performed well in water-stress tests, as declining, less predictable rainfall threatens farms and the livelihoods of millions. The varieties are expected to reach farmers in future. Sustainable Cocoa: Mars and Côte d’Ivoire-based Elucid plan to help up to 12,750 cocoa-growing households access national health insurance from 2026 to 2029, aiming to reduce health-related shocks and strengthen community resilience. Energy Investment: Côte d’Ivoire is seeking more than $10 billion by 2030 for energy projects, including oil and gas development, LNG facilities, pipelines and refining. Mining Pollution: Researchers in Côte d’Ivoire are developing ways to clean up sites polluted by illegal gold mining. Ocean Governance: Benin’s election as chair of the International Whaling Commission puts an African representative at the helm; Côte d’Ivoire was among the participating Atlantic coastal states.

Climate-Ready Cocoa: Ivorian researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that show promise under water stress, as declining, less predictable rainfall threatens a crop that supports about five million people. The CNRA plans to make the varieties available to farmers in the future. Mining Pollution: Ivorian researchers have proposed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste to address damage from illegal gold mining. Ocean Governance: Côte d’Ivoire joined other Atlantic African states at the International Whaling Commission’s meeting, where members adopted a declaration on the commission’s role and future and agreed to develop a code of conduct.

Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire researchers have developed 11 cocoa varieties that performed well in tests with limited water, aiming to protect the world’s top producer as rainfall declines and becomes less reliable. The crop supports about five million people and accounts for 15% of GDP. Energy Investment: Petroci is seeking more than $10 billion by 2030 across oil, gas, refining and power projects, including expansion of the Baleine field. Mining Pollution: Researchers in Côte d’Ivoire have proposed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste from illegal gold-mining sites.

Cocoa and Climate: Cocoa prices climbed to a one-month high as below-normal, El Niño-linked rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire and southwestern Ghana raised concerns about the crop outlook. Illegal Mining: Ivorian researchers have proposed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste to tackle the environmental damage from illegal gold mining. The solutions were presented by the FONSTI science and innovation fund in Abidjan. Ocean Governance: Côte d’Ivoire joined four other Atlantic African states at the International Whaling Commission meeting, where members adopted a declaration on the commission’s role and set up a group to examine rules for resolving disputes over meeting procedures.

Low-Carbon Industry: African cement producers will discuss cutting emissions, investment and EU carbon rules at a November summit in Casablanca. Cocoa and Weather: Cocoa prices climbed to a one-month high as below-normal, El Niño-linked rainfall in Côte d’Ivoire and southwestern Ghana raised concerns about crops; dry conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. Mining Pollution: Ivorian researchers have developed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste from illegal gold-mining sites, presented in Abidjan by the science and innovation fund FONSTI. Ocean Governance: Côte d’Ivoire joined four other Atlantic African states at an International Whaling Commission meeting that adopted a declaration on the commission’s role and a code of conduct.

Illegal Mining: Ivorian researchers have developed approaches to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste at sites damaged by illegal gold mining. Ocean Governance: Côte d’Ivoire joined African coastal states at the International Whaling Commission meeting, where members adopted a declaration on the commission’s role and future and backed science-based ocean governance. Cocoa and Forests: A report explores how the EU’s zero-deforestation law could help address forest loss linked to cocoa production.

Illegal Gold Mining: Ivorian researchers have proposed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste to tackle the environmental damage caused by illegal gold mining. Cocoa and Forests: A recent analysis argues the EU’s zero-deforestation law could help curb forest loss linked to cocoa production, a key issue for Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector.

Illegal Mining Cleanup: Ivorian researchers have developed ways to restore soils, monitor water pollution and reuse mining waste from illegal gold-mining sites. The solutions were presented by the FONSTI science fund in Abidjan-Marcory. Cocoa and Forests: A recent analysis examines how the EU’s zero-deforestation law could help curb forest loss linked to cocoa, a key issue for Côte d’Ivoire.

Cocoa and Forests: A Global Witness analysis says major chocolate companies’ cocoa-sourcing emissions fell by a quarter in three years, while reported deforestation-free sourcing rose. The EU’s deforestation law appears to be driving progress before it takes effect — a key development for Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector. Mondelez reported the highest sourcing emissions and did not publicly report traceability progress. Climate Pressures: The World Bank is discussing crisis aid with 30 to 40 countries as fuel and fertilizer costs rise and a potential super El Niño adds to risks for developing economies. The Bank has not identified the countries in talks.

Climate and Food Costs: The World Bank says 30 to 40 countries are discussing crisis aid as higher diesel and fertilizer prices squeeze budgets; it also warns a looming super El Niño could add pressure on developing economies. Cocoa and Forests: A new analysis says the EU’s deforestation rules are already pushing major chocolate makers to reduce cocoa-related emissions and improve deforestation-free sourcing — a significant shift for Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer.

Climate Pressure: The World Bank says 30 to 40 countries are discussing crisis aid as diesel and fertilizer costs climb, with a looming super El Niño adding to risks for developing economies. Sahel Displacement: More than twice as many people are displaced in the central Sahel as six years ago, UNHCR says; climate shocks, attacks and funding shortages are forcing families to flee and undermining livelihoods. Cocoa and Forests: A Global Witness analysis finds cocoa-sourcing emissions at major chocolate companies fell by a quarter in three years, while reported deforestation-free sourcing rose. The EU’s deforestation rules are driving changes that matter to Côte d’Ivoire, a major cocoa producer. Sustainable Housing: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a FCFA 60 billion bond to fund affordable, energy-efficient housing across the WAEMU region, which includes Côte d’Ivoire.

Climate Displacement: UNHCR says displacement in the central Sahel has more than doubled in six years, as violence, climate shocks and funding shortfalls push more families from their homes and erode livelihoods. Sustainable Housing: Shelter Afrique Development Bank launched a FCFA 60 billion bond to finance affordable, energy-efficient housing across the WAEMU region, including Côte d’Ivoire. Cocoa and Forests: A Global Witness analysis finds cocoa-sourcing emissions at major chocolate companies fell by a quarter in three years, while reported deforestation-free sourcing rose. It says the EU’s deforestation rules are driving change ahead of their entry into force, with implications for Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa sector.