AGP Executive Report

Street Dance Boom in Abidjan: Biama—an acrobatic, high-tempo street dance born in Yopougon—keeps pulling in students and young dancers after class, with weekly outdoor sessions, DJs, and a growing creative scene. Inclusion in Focus (Côte d’Ivoire): Sign language is being used to improve access to communication and essential services for deaf people, with interpreters helping bridge everyday gaps. Healthcare & Community Impact: Humanity First inaugurated the Masroor Centre for Healthcare in Yopougon-Gesco, adding surgical theatres, ICU and specialist cardiology and gastroenterology services for Abidjan and nearby communities. Digital Skills for Educators: Cybastion and the THEYA Foundation launched a training push for technical and vocational educators in cybersecurity and AI, using a train-the-trainers model to spread skills nationwide. Culture, Youth, and Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa Foundation is preparing its 10th gala and backing a new Treichville youth centre aimed at skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Travel Rules Affecting Ivorians: Malaysia confirmed an eVisa requirement for social travel that includes Côte d’Ivoire, adding another layer to regional mobility.

Healthcare & Faith-Driven Philanthropy: Humanity First inaugurated the Masroor Centre for Healthcare in Yopougon-Gesco, Abidjan, adding surgical theatres, ICU, diagnostics, and dedicated cardiology and gastroenterology services for hundreds of patients yearly. Youth Culture: Abidjan’s working-class streets keep buzzing with biama, a high-energy street dance that grew from coupe-decale, with free performances and low-cost entry for spectators. Digital Skills for Educators: Cybastion and THEYA Foundation launched Africa DigiEmpower training for technical and vocational educators in Abidjan, focusing on cybersecurity, AI, and a train-the-trainer model. AI Ambition: Côte d’Ivoire’s PM said the country wants to build a high-performing, responsible and inclusive AI sector in Africa, stressing skills, data, infrastructure, energy, and governance. Community & Inclusion: At Nigeria’s GS26 Gender and Inclusion Summit, leaders pushed for real “last-mile” delivery, including a gender legislative agenda and a national gender norms survey. Culture & Learning Abroad: A report highlights how UK student visa funding rules are rising for applicants from 15 West African countries, affecting education plans.

Street Culture: Abidjan’s working-class youth keep turning up the volume for biama, a fast-paced street dance born in Yopougon that mixes acrobatic twists, quick footwork and playful faces—free to perform, with small entry fees for spectators. Digital Skills for Educators: Côte d’Ivoire is training technical and vocational teachers in cybersecurity and AI through the Africa DigiEmpower program, using a train-the-trainers model to spread skills beyond the first cohort. AI Ambition: Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe says Côte d’Ivoire wants a high-performing, responsible and inclusive AI sector in Africa, calling for stronger data use, infrastructure, computing, skills and governance. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa marks 25 years with a push for a new Treichville youth center—skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture under one roof. Drug Trafficking Crackdown: NDLEA reports UK-linked synthetic cannabis (“Colorado/Colos”) seizures in Lagos, including drugs hidden in music speakers and even in bread-like concealments, with multiple arrests and claims of tougher trafficking tactics. Women & Education Data: A global map shows women lead college enrollment in most countries, with the gender gap widening in many major economies.

Street Culture: Abidjan’s working-class neighbourhoods are buzzing with biama, a fast-paced street dance mixing acrobatic twists, frenetic footwork and funny faces—dancers perform for free while spectators pay 1,000–2,000 CFA, keeping the youth energy alive in places like Yopougon. Tech & Skills: Côte d’Ivoire is training technical and vocational educators through Cybastion and the THEYA Foundation, using a train-the-trainers model to spread cybersecurity and AI skills beyond the first 70 teachers at Lycée Technique d’Abidjan. AI Ambition: Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe says the country wants a high-performing, responsible and inclusive African AI sector, calling for stronger data use, digital infrastructure, computing capacity, energy, skills and governance. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa Foundation marks 25 years with a push for a new Maison de la Jeunesse in Treichville, aiming to give young people space for skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Heritage & Learning: A drum workshop in West Africa traditions is reaching students abroad, with Bluefield Intermediate School teaching Côte d’Ivoire’s traditional drumming to the next generation. Hospitality Mindset: At Lagos’s AeroWest Summit, Continental Hotels’ Karl Hala argues hospitality is about people and the whole travel ecosystem—not just buildings.

AI & Skills in Abidjan: Côte d’Ivoire is pushing for a high-performing, responsible AI sector, with the Prime Minister calling for stronger data use, digital infrastructure, computing capacity, energy, cybersecurity, and training—plus support for research and start-ups. Digital Training for Educators: Cybastion and the THEYA Foundation launched a training-of-trainers push at Lycée Technique d’Abidjan, equipping over 70 technical and vocational educators with cybersecurity and AI skills so they can pass them on to students. Street Dance Culture: Abidjan’s working-class neighbourhoods are buzzing with biama, a fast, acrobatic street dance that grew from coupe-decale—organized in open-air gatherings in Yopougon where teens perform for free and spectators pay a small fee. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa marks its 25-year journey with a bold plan for a Maison de la Jeunesse in Treichville, aiming to give young people space for skills, entrepreneurship, sports, and culture.

AI & Skills: Côte d’Ivoire is pushing to build a high-performing, responsible and inclusive AI sector, with Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe calling for stronger data use, digital infrastructure, computing capacity, cybersecurity, and training for engineers and public officials. Digital Education: Cybastion and the THEYA Foundation launched Africa DigiEmpower training for technical and vocational educators in Abidjan, using a train-the-trainers model to spread cybersecurity and AI skills through institutions nationwide. Street Culture: Abidjan’s working-class neighbourhoods are buzzing with biama street dance—fast, acrobatic, and fun—where teens perform weekly events and audiences pay a small entry fee. Youth & Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa Foundation marks 25 years and gears up for its Oct. 9 gala, betting on a new Treichville youth centre to grow skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Agritech Future: UM6P and Côte d’Ivoire’s INP-HB opened applications for a two-year Digital Farming School cohort starting Nov. 2026 in Yamoussoukro, training agritech developers with drones, sensors and decision tools. Cultural Heritage Watch: ICOM’s International Observatory is being rebuilt to better prevent and fight illicit trafficking of cultural goods, with expert meetings feeding into a new platform planned for 2027.

Street Dance Culture: Abidjan’s working-class youth are turning weekly gatherings into a full-on craze with biama—fast, acrobatic street moves born from coupe-decale—where teens perform from 5pm in Yopougon, free to dance and low-cost to watch. Youth & Skills: Côte d’Ivoire is training technical and vocational educators in cybersecurity and AI through the Cybastion–THEYA Foundation partnership, using a train-the-trainers model to spread digital know-how beyond the first cohort. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa Foundation marks 25 years and gears up for its Oct. 9 gala, betting on a new Treichville youth centre to build skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture for young people. Heritage Education: Traditional West African drumming is being taught to students abroad, with a Côte d’Ivoire master drummer helping children learn rhythms and connect culture to the next generation. Creative Economy Link: Côte d’Ivoire’s creative ecosystem gets a wider spotlight as African filmmakers and industry players push visibility through global film-market initiatives.

Street Dance Culture: Abidjan’s working-class youth keep the biama craze alive, with free outdoor sessions in Yopougon where teens dance high-tempo, acrobatic moves to mixed rhythms from zouk to zouglou and afrobeat. Education & Heritage: Bluefield Intermediate students learn Ivorian traditional drumming through visiting master drummer Adama Dembele, while Côte d’Ivoire’s digital push trains technical and vocational educators in cybersecurity and AI via Cybastion and THEYA Foundation. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa marks 25 years and gears up for a 10th gala on Oct. 9, betting on a new Treichville youth centre for skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Creative Economy & Culture-to-Capital: AFRIMA founder Mike Dada and Lagos and California leaders plan a California–Lagos summit (Sept. 17–18) focused on investing in music, film and intellectual property. Cultural Skills for the Next Generation: KanKouran Dance Company celebrates 43 years, spotlighting Gen-Z dancers and the discipline behind preserving African dance. Digital Agriculture: UM6P and Côte d’Ivoire’s INP-HB open applications for a first Agritech cohort in Yamoussoukro starting Nov. 2026.

Digital Skills for Educators: Côte d’Ivoire is rolling out a new training push for technical and vocational teachers, with Cybastion and the THEYA Foundation launching cybersecurity, AI and other digital courses at Lycée Technique d’Abidjan, using a train-the-trainer model to reach more students nationwide. Youth Philanthropy: Dominique Ouattara’s Children of Africa Foundation marks 25 years with a bold youth-focused plan, aiming to build the Maison de la Jeunesse de Treichville to support skills, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. Cultural Heritage & Identity: KanKouran Dance Company celebrates 43 years with a concert that spotlights intergenerational West African dance and new leadership from Gen-Z performers. Culture, Film & Independent Screens: The Lumière Summit highlights support for independent arthouse cinemas through a new IRIS initiative meant to protect film diversity and connect local screens. Sports & Community: A look at how African football leadership and facility maintenance shape the future of stadiums and grassroots engagement. Heritage Protection: ICOM’s International Observatory is being rebuilt into an operational platform to help stop illicit trafficking of cultural goods, with expert meetings feeding into a 2027 relaunch.

Digital Skills for Educators: Cybastion and THEYA Foundation launched Africa DigiEmpower training for over 70 technical and vocational educators in Abidjan, focusing on cybersecurity and AI, using a train-the-trainer model to reach students nationwide. Agritech Talent Pipeline: UM6P and Côte d’Ivoire’s INP-HB opened applications for a two-year Digital Farming School cohort starting in November 2026 in Yamoussoukro, training 50 students with drones, sensors, and decision-support tools. Creative Economy & Culture-to-Capital: Plans are underway for the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit (Sept 17–18, Sacramento/San Francisco), with AFRIMA’s Mike Dada set to pitch “From Culture to Capital,” spotlighting music, film, and intellectual property as investment engines. Women’s Rights & Education: A new feature highlights West African girls losing schooling to forced marriage, including an Ivorian survivor who refused an early marriage and pursued training as a midwife. Public Health & Maternal Care: Another report warns maternal deaths are still driven by delays in care and weak facility readiness, even as progress has slowed across Africa. Sports Infrastructure Focus: Coverage notes Ghana’s push to keep stadiums match-ready, with attention on Essipong Stadium’s work as part of maintaining facilities for continental action.

Cultural Heritage & Youth: KanKouran Dance Company marks 43 years with a new generation of dancers, spotlighting how discipline and mentorship are passing West African dance culture forward. Creative Economy: AFRIMA founder Mike Dada, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and California leaders are set to headline the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit, with a focus on investing in music, film and intellectual property. Tech & Education in Côte d’Ivoire: UM6P-backed Digital Farming School opens applications for its first cohort in Yamoussoukro, training 50 students in agritech tools like sensors, drones and decision-support systems. Women’s Rights & Education: A feature highlights West African girls resisting forced marriage to stay in school, including an Ivorian survivor now aiming for a future of her own choosing. Public Health & Misinformation: Africa CDC-linked reporting warns that rumours can fuel deadly outbreaks, urging communities to manage misinformation fast. Mobility & Policy: The UK raises student visa living-cost requirements for applicants from 15 West African countries, effective Nov. 30, 2026.

Independent Cinema Spotlight: France’s Lumière Summit put arthouse cinemas in the spotlight, backing a new IRIS initiative to protect and connect independent screens and keep film diversity alive. Coastal Climate Reality: A West African coastal community story from Ghana shows how storms and shifting shorelines are swallowing homes and livelihoods, with adaptation now urgent. Culture & Travel Link: Angola’s TAAG is running a Brazil–Luanda–Abidjan cultural tourism familiarisation trip, featuring Yamoussoukro sites and Abidjan’s UNESCO-listed “France” district. Tech for Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire: UM6P and Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute launched applications for a digital farming school cohort in Yamoussoukro, training agritech developers from November 2026. Creative IP with AI: Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho is expanding her Baoulé-inspired universe through Pokou, blending fashion, film, art, and AI. Women’s Rights & Education: A Côte d’Ivoire survivor of forced marriage speaks out on refusing early marriage and fighting for a future in healthcare. Visa Policy Watch: The US Embassy in Abuja stopped routine visa processing, redirecting applicants to Lagos—an update that affects travel planning for many in the region.

Creative Industries & IP: Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho is expanding beyond fashion with “Pokou,” a Baoulé-inspired creative universe blending local craftsmanship and AI across clothing, film, art, architecture, and digital experiences. Arts & Culture Diplomacy: TAAG’s cultural famtrip is promoting the São Paulo–Luanda–Abidjan route, with visits to Yamoussoukro, Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Félix Houphouët-Boigny sites, Abidjan’s craft center, and UNESCO-listed “La France.” Education & Skills: UM6P and Côte d’Ivoire’s INP-HB launched applications for a two-year Digital Farming School cohort in Yamoussoukro, training 50 agritech developers with drones, sensors, and field projects. Women’s Rights & Community Life: A Côte d’Ivoire cocoa-belt story highlights tiny loans helping women resist poverty and build independence, while another feature spotlights girls who refused forced marriage and fought for education. Culture, Media & Memory: A CNN Films short, “Top of the World,” revisits the Windows on the World workers’ lives and loss ahead of the 9/11 anniversary. Climate & Coastal Livelihoods: A report on Ghana’s Keta shows how storms and sea erosion are destroying shops, homes, and even graves—pushing communities to adapt fast.

Tourism & Culture: TAAG’s Côte d’Ivoire push brings a Brazil–Luanda–Abidjan cultural famtrip, with visits to Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Félix Houphouët-Boigny sites, the National Dress Museum, Abidjan craft hubs, and UNESCO-listed “France” district—plus ecotourism at Banco National Park and Domaine BINI. Tech for Agriculture: UM6P and Côte d’Ivoire’s INP-HB launch applications for a two-year Digital Farming School cohort in Yamoussoukro (starting Nov 2026), training 50 fully funded Agritech developers with drones, sensors, automation, and field projects. Creative Economy: Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho expands Pokou beyond fashion, using Baoulé heritage and AI to build a sci-fi creative universe spanning clothing, film, art, architecture, and digital experiences. Women’s Economic Power: In Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt, Bringakro’s Nestlé/ICI-supported savings groups are helping hundreds of women gain borrowing power, start businesses, and protect children from vulnerability. Safety & Mobility: Yango reports fewer reckless-driving incidents across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, alongside privacy-focused tech and 24/7 urgent support. Health & Rights: Africa CDC highlights how managing rumours can prevent disease outbreaks, while UNICEF-backed stories show girls in West Africa fighting forced marriage to stay in school.

California–Lagos Creative Economy: AFRIMA founder Mike Dada will speak at the Sept. 17–18 California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit, pitching “From Culture to Capital” to link music, film and intellectual property with new investment ties. Women’s Rights & Education: West African girls’ stories highlight how forced marriage during school breaks can derail education, with Côte d’Ivoire featuring survivor Absétou* who resisted a marriage plan and pursued training. Maternal Health Focus: A new report warns that maternal deaths across Africa remain tied to delays in care and weak facility readiness, even as progress has slowed. Ivorian Design Meets AI: Abidjan designer Loza Maléombho is building “Pokou,” a Baoulé-inspired creative universe blending fashion, film and digital experiences powered by AI. Illegal Mining Alarm: Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa Dogbo calls illegal gold mining a moral and environmental crisis, urging authorities and citizens to fight greed. Local Mobility Safety: Yango says its safety upgrades cut reckless driving incidents across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire, alongside fewer post-trip complaints.

Maternal Health & Care Readiness: A new IPS report warns that while maternal deaths in Africa fell 40% since 2000, progress is stalling and Africa still accounts for over 70% of global maternal deaths; preventable causes like postpartum hemorrhage persist, and “delay” in seeking care, reaching facilities, and getting proper treatment remains the key problem. Cocoa Belt Women’s Livelihoods: In Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa-growing Bringakro, women’s savings circles supported by Nestlé and the International Cocoa Initiative are expanding—helping families borrow, start small businesses, and reduce children’s vulnerability to labour. Culture & Design with AI: Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho is building “Pokou,” a Baoulé-inspired creative universe blending fashion, film, art, architecture, and generative AI—turning local heritage into a digital storytelling world. Cardinal Dogbo on Illegal Mining: Abidjan’s Cardinal Dogbo condemns illegal gold mining and urges state action, framing the crisis as greed and the worship of money that destroys the environment. Mobility Safety in Côte d’Ivoire: Yango’s safety report says reckless driving incidents dropped 35% in Côte d’Ivoire after updated driving controls and privacy-protecting call tech.