Stories from Cote d'Ivoire

A stabilization fund facilitated the removal of 100,000 tons of cocoa, valued at 291 billion CFA francs. The source also mentioned there are approximately one hundred artisanal chocolate producers currently operating in the country. Minister Bruno Konnet stated that industrial installations in the country have enabled a processing capacity exceeding one million tons. The development aims to promote the Ivorian chocolate label and increase consumption within Africa and emerging markets globally. Officials noted that consumption remains low in Africa and Asia despite high populations. The initiative seeks to change global consumption habits through this increased capacity. While the 2023-2024 period saw production declines linked to climate change, the 2025-2026 period has experienced optimal weather for cocoa.

The Ivorian cocoa board decided to sell cocoa stocks in anticipation of market changes. Cocoa producers in Ivory Coast are facing a blockage in price guarantees that were not respected.

The Front D'Aig party has decided to withdraw from upcoming communal and statutory elections in Côte d'Ivoire. A party spokesperson stated the decision follows a flagrant violation of the electoral code.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is planning a collective security force to support regional stability. The force is intended to provide assistance to member states within the sub-region rather than focusing solely on Côte d'Ivoire. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure global security for the area.

A strike involving maritime affairs workers in Côte d'Ivoire has been suspended following an agreement with Minister Serey Doh. The resolution follows a period of industrial action within the sector.

Ivorian rap artist Didi B is scheduled to perform at the Femmier urban music festival in Anoumabo. The festival features various activities through the end of the week.

Agronomist engineer Faustin Laurey stated that cashew production must move beyond raw exports to include local processing. He argued that transforming cashews within Dimbokro would add value to local production and create jobs.

The 18th edition of the Festival des Musiques Urbaines d'Anoumabo (FEMU) has opened in Côte d'Ivoire. The festival features performances by artists including Fatoumata Diawara and Yusundour on Friday evening.

ECOWAS experts, institutions, and national sector actors are meeting for two days in Abidjan to discuss improving the sub-regional common market. The meeting aims to better connect agricultural products from major markets like Kano, Nigeria, or Kumasi and Ghana to the wider region. Producers currently face administrative hurdles at borders and high transportation costs when attempting to sell goods in other West African markets. Experts from the ECOWAS Commission are discussing the development of maritime corridors to support the region's coastal economies. Twelve member states rely on coastal economies, making the maritime sector a key focus for the organization. The discussion aims to address these economic gaps and improve maritime infrastructure. High transport costs remain a challenge for producers. The meeting is exploring solutions such as increasing investment in rail transport.

Six defendants received life prison sentences in Côte d'Ivoire following the trial for the 2020 Kafolo jihadist attack.