AGP Executive Report

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.

Climate Extremes: A Reuters analysis finds the largest heat events have grown dramatically: the biggest this decade lasted 367 days and at its peak covered nearly 85% of the globe. Energy: GE Vernova will supply a gas turbine for a 372-megawatt power plant near Abidjan, a major addition to electricity capacity that also reinforces reliance on fossil fuels. Cleaner Air: Research says nearly one million people in sub-Saharan Africa died prematurely from air pollution in 2023; cutting pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions together could also save billions. Cocoa Resilience: Ivorian scientists are developing climate-tough cocoa varieties as changing rainfall threatens the world’s top cocoa producer.

Air Quality: New research says nearly one million people in sub-Saharan Africa died prematurely from air pollution in 2023. Cutting pollution and greenhouse gases together could save billions through lower healthcare costs and fewer lost workdays; polluting fuels used for cooking are a major source. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire researchers have identified 11 cocoa varieties that show promise under water stress, as declining rainfall and rising temperatures threaten the crop and farmers’ livelihoods. Energy Investment: Petroci is seeking more than $10 billion by 2030 for projects spanning oil exploration, gas infrastructure, refining and power generation.**

Air Pollution: African countries could save billions by cutting air pollution and greenhouse gases together, researchers say. Polluted air caused nearly one million premature deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, with household fuels a major source. Climate-Resilient Cocoa: Ivory Coast scientists have identified 11 promising cocoa varieties that may better withstand drought and erratic rainfall, which are putting farmers’ crops and livelihoods at risk. Mining Pollution: Ivorian researchers are developing ways to clean up sites polluted by illegal gold mining.

Clean Air: African countries could save billions by tackling air pollution and greenhouse gases together, researchers say, through measures that cut health costs and boost productivity. Climate-Ready Cocoa: Côte d’Ivoire scientists have identified 11 cocoa varieties that performed well under water stress, as declining and less predictable rainfall threatens farms and a crop that supports millions. Mining Pollution: Researchers in Côte d’Ivoire are developing ways to clean up sites damaged by illegal gold mining.

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.