Author: ISSOUF KAMAGATE

The Ivory Coast has reached a historic milestone in the management of its public finances. The Ministry of Economy, Finance and Budget announced on June 24, 2026, the successful completion of the economic and financial program conducted with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The Republic of Ivory Coast is taking a major step in strengthening...

The World Bank officially launched the SIRA program (Skills for Innovation, Resilience, and Aspirations) on June 22, 2026 in Washington. With a budget of $642 million (approximately 360.1 billion CFA francs), this regional initiative aims to improve the employability of young people in West and Central Africa, with a priority on the integration of young...

4G Capital, a fintech company, announced from Nairobi (Kenya) on Tuesday, June 23, that it has reached the symbolic threshold of one billion dollars in loans granted to small businesses in Kenya and Uganda. Since its establishment in 2013, the company claims to have assisted nearly 800,000 clients through over 7.6 million working capital loans,...

Ivory Coast has recorded a new oil discovery on the offshore block CI-709. Murphy Ivory Coast, operator of the block, and its partner Petroci Holding announced this in a statement relayed on Tuesday, June 23 by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy. According to the information provided, this discovery resulted from the drilling of...

NSIA Banque Côte d’Ivoire and British International Investment (BII), the British development finance institution, have signed a partnership agreement for a term loan of over €32 million (€30 million). The agreement was signed on June 17, 2026 in Abidjan. This funding aims to strengthen access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Côte...

“The African continent displays remarkable economic vitality, notes the Report on African Trade 2026, entitled “Harnessing Geopolitics for Global Trade and Africa’s Industrialization”, published on June 21, 2026. Prepared by the Research Division of the African Import-Export Bank (Afreximbank), this document indicates that real GDP growth increased from 3.4% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025....

Valency International, in partnership with Revata Carbon, officially commissioned the first industrial biochar production unit in Côte d’Ivoire on June 18, 2026. Located in Attinguié, on the western outskirts of Abidjan, this infrastructure marks a new milestone in the valorization of biomass at the national level. This plant has a processing capacity of nearly 20,000...

The Dutch Development Bank (FMO) has indicated that the amount of its investments already made in Côte d’Ivoire amounts to nearly 200 million euros, or approximately 131 billion CFA francs. The announcement was made by Rob Beeker, chairman of the institution’s board of directors, during a meeting held in Abidjan on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The FMO management also announced its intention to soon open a permanent representative office in Abidjan. According to the institution, this structure is intended to strengthen its operational presence in the country and support the deployment of its financing in several sectors of the Ivorian…

Presidents Alassane Ouattara and John Dramani Mahama strengthened their cooperation during a summit held on June 16, 2026 at the Presidential Palace of Côte d’Ivoire, in Abidjan. This high-level meeting, dedicated to the joint Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana initiative, aims to establish a fairer and stronger cocoa economy. By harmonizing their field price policies and promoting local...

Abidjan hosted, on June 12, 2026, a high-level meeting between the President of the UEMOA Commission, Abdoulaye Diop, and members of the Ivorian government, led by the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget. On this occasion, Mr. Diop officially presented the conclusions of the annual review of community reforms, policies and programs for the period 2024-2025. The assessment is clear: Ivory Coast confirms its position as a driving force for regional integration, with an implementation rate of reforms at 85%, a performance praised by the sub-regional institution. The evaluation process intensified over the past year, reflecting UEMOA’s willingness to strengthen…

To strengthen the competitiveness of its capital market, the UEMOA region is taking a decisive step with the launch, on Thursday, June 11 in Abidjan, of the “UEMOA Chapter”. The initiative is led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Paris Europlace, and the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM). The program aims to build a network of experts capable of supporting the development of capital markets in the region. According to Josiane Kwenda, Country Manager of the IFC, the objective is to propose solutions to improve the liquidity of local markets and support the financing of the regional economy. For Dr. Edoh…

The National Investment Bank (BNI) closed the 2025 fiscal year with a net profit of 47.97 billion CFA francs (around 84.5 million dollars), compared to 39.98 billion CFA francs a year earlier, representing a 20% increase. These figures were announced on Wednesday, June 10 in Abidjan by the bank’s executives. The total balance sheet stood...

The Single Window for Foreign Trade of Ivory Coast (GUCE-CI) launched the first edition of “GUCE Connect” on Monday, June 8th. Bringing together over 400 key players – economic operators, financial institutions, port and logistics authorities – the event focused on the theme: “Digitalization of multimodal logistics chains for more efficient foreign trade.” Digital transformation...

To keep up with the global technological shift and stay in line with the changes brought by artificial intelligence (AI), Ivory Coast is preparing to take a decisive step. On Monday, June 8 in Abidjan, in front of digital ecosystem stakeholders, the press, and representatives of technical ministries, the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, announced the imminent preparation of two structuring partnership agreements aimed at permanently anchoring the country in this innovation dynamic. These agreements, which will be officially signed at the VivaTech trade show in Paris from June 17 to 20, involve two major international…

The third edition of the Abidjan Private Equity and Venture Capital Summit (APES) opened on Thursday, June 4, 2026 in Abidjan. Under the theme “Mobilizing local capital to finance African businesses: towards a better return on investment”, this meeting allowed the general commissioner, Jean-André Ahipeaud, to set an ambitious goal: to transform local savings into...

Senegal has officially chosen General Birame Diop, former Minister of the Armed Forces, to occupy the presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission for the 2026-2030 mandate. This nomination was announced on Sunday, May 31 by the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, confirming President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s desire to position a key figure at the helm of the regional organization. This designation follows the decision made at the 68th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja in December 2025, which assigned Senegal the leadership of…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the OCP Group signed an agreement on May 22, 2026 in Rabat for a partial credit guarantee of €450 million. This financial mechanism aims to support the implementation of the 2023-2030 investment program of the world leader in phosphate fertilizers, focusing on industrial decarbonization, sustainable water management, and the integration of renewable energies. This operation enables Société Générale and BNP Paribas to mobilize a green financing envelope of €530 million. These resources are specifically intended to support the industrial and energy projects planned by the Moroccan group, while facilitating access to long-term capital from…

The 9th Conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) marked a turning point with the adoption, on Tuesday, May 19, of the Abidjan Declaration. More than just a guiding document, this strategic document outlines the continent’s roadmap for personal data governance by 2030. This shift has significant political implications. Data protection is no longer viewed solely as a regulatory or technical issue: it is now presented as a pillar of state modernization, public service credibility, and economic attractiveness. Implicitly, the text recognizes an increased responsibility of the highest national authorities, called upon to drive this transformation…

The ninth international conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) opened on Monday, May 18, 2026 in Abidjan, for a duration of four days. The event brings together more than thirty countries from Africa and Europe, including twenty-four African delegations, as well as international experts, representatives from the private sector, and specialized institutions. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, marking the beginning of working sessions dedicated to the challenges related to artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and biometric data on the continent. The central issue of…

Following his re-election as head of the African People’s Party – Ivory Coast (PPA-CI), at the end of the party’s first congress, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo surprised everyone on Saturday, May 16, 2026. In front of thousands of supporters gathered in Songon, west of Abidjan, for the fourth edition of the Renaissance Festival, the opposition leader officially announced his intention to “delegate” his powers as party president. However, Laurent Gbagbo immediately clarified the scope of his decision, firmly ruling out any idea of permanent withdrawal or automatic succession. This move is presented as an internal reorganization of the party’s…

During a joint seminar of the World Bank and the African Center for Economic Transformation on May 7, 2026, dedicated to “Revamping trade for growth and employment in Ghana,” Minister of Trade, Agro-Industry and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, announced that Ghana recorded a trade surplus of $13.6 billion in 2025, the best performance in its history....

On the occasion of Europe Day, celebrated on May 9 and marking 65 years of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Ivory Coast, EU Ambassador Irchad Razaaly reaffirmed European support for the National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. This support is first and foremost part of a 1 billion euro investment program led by Team Europe as part of the Global Gateway strategy. According to European authorities, this program aims to support the private sector, infrastructure, training, and certain agricultural value chains. The transport component of the PND is also set to benefit from investments in the strategic corridors of…

The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced former Nigerian Energy Minister Saleh Mamman to 75 years in prison on May 13, 2026, in a case of fraud and money laundering involving 33.8 billion nairas (approximately 24.7 million dollars). The sentence was handed down after his conviction on May 7 on 12 charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to funds intended for the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric projects. Judge James Omotosho ordered that the sentences be served consecutively, not concurrently. According to court records, most charges resulted in seven-year prison terms without the possibility…

During the Africa Forward summit held in Nairobi (Kenya) on May 11 and 12, 2026, Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), and Atlantic Group officially signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This document establishes a framework for a long-term strategic partnership aimed at supporting the growth of high-impact African private sector players. This alliance is based on a common desire to support sectors essential to the structural transformation of the continent, leveraging Atlantic Group’s multisectoral presence and extensive regional footprint. The cooperation will specifically target investments in the real economy, including agro-industry, cement industry, mining, and financial…

Local authorities want to increase the mobilization of their own resources for sustainable local development. According to Amoi Sanhou, Deputy Director General of Decentralization and Local Development at the Ministry of Interior and Security, the main challenge lies in their ability to raise funds through the acquisition of internal tools and techniques, especially since less than 10% of the resources of these entities come from their own mobilization, with the rest being provided by the State. To address this low financial autonomy, the Project to Support the Mobilization of Internal Resources of Local Authorities (PAMRI), initiated by Expertise France, is…

The Sugar Company of Ivory Coast (SUCAF-CI), a sugar subsidiary of the Somdia group, the agro-industrial branch of the giant Castel, inaugurated on May 7, 2026, the operation of a state-of-the-art industrial distillery in Ferkessédougou, in northern Ivory Coast. Located in the Ferké 2 sugar complex, the project, based on a circular economy approach, aims to locally transform by-products from sugar cane, especially molasses, into extra-neutral alcohol with a purity level equal to or greater than 96%. Intended for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, this new unit strengthens the national value chain by substituting local production for massive imports.…

Financial transfers from the Ivorian diaspora have significantly increased over the past fifteen years. Estimated at 165.8 million dollars in a previous period, they reached 316.7 million dollars in 2019, and are now standing at around 1.4 billion dollars. However, a large part of these resources are still oriented towards households’ social expenses, particularly in the areas of health, education, and housing. During the launch of the “Diaspora for Growth” forum on May 7, 2026 in Abidjan, authorities emphasized the need to better direct these flows towards productive investments. According to the figures presented on this occasion, only 10 to…

The Ivorian government, under the presidency of Alassane Ouattara, officially approved a reduction and harmonization of aeronautical fees during the Council of Ministers held on Wednesday, April 29 in Abidjan. This regulatory reform results in the adoption of several decrees deeply modifying the fee structure applied to passengers, as well as the charges related to...

The Ivorian government, under the presidency of Alassane Ouattara, officially approved a reduction and harmonization of aeronautical fees during the Council of Ministers held on Wednesday, April 29 in Abidjan. This regulatory reform translates into the adoption of several decrees deeply modifying the tariff structure applied to passengers, as well as levies related to security...

Commercial International Bank (CIB) has finalized a securitization issuance worth 1.307 billion Egyptian pounds ($27.3 million) on behalf of B.TECH. For this transaction, completed in mid-April, CIB acted as the exclusive financial advisor, lead arranger, issuance manager, promoter, and subscriber. This operation, structured in a single tranche with a maturity of 12 months, represents the third phase of B.TECH’s 14th securitization program, with a total envelope of 10 billion Egyptian pounds ($208.8 million) over two years. Middle East Rating & Investors Service (MERIS) has assigned a credit rating of “P1” to this issuance, based on the strength of the underlying…