Illegal Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire says it will eradicate illegal gold mining within six months by boosting river surveillance, increasing brigades, and adding ecological rehabilitation plus reintegration programmes for miners. Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed eight production-sharing contracts for offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire, taking 90% operating stakes (Petroci Holding keeps 10%), as the firm pushes deeper exploration to replenish reserves. LNG Infrastructure Push: Exmar secured a 10-year deal to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan, with LNG imports due in Q3 2027 to support power generation. Offshore Ownership Shuffle: Eni completed the sale of a 10% stake in the Baleine project to SOCAR, reshaping the project’s partner mix (Eni 37.25%, Vitol 30%, Petroci 22.75%, SOCAR 10%). Energy Supply Pressure: Ghana’s BOST says it cut fuel exports to Burkina Faso and Mali to protect domestic supply, highlighting regional fuel tightness that also affects Côte d’Ivoire’s trading environment. Youth & Jobs Follow-Through: Abidjan’s youth open days at the World Bank Group raised hopes on training and entrepreneurship, but attendees are now asking what happens after the doors close. Business Diplomacy: Côte d’Ivoire will take its $80bn investment ambitions to a New York business forum on Sept. 21, pitching projects in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and technology. Security & Compliance: The Abidjan Convention says it’s making progress on funding challenges, while Côte d’Ivoire also faces broader scrutiny as some countries near removal from the FATF “dirty money” grey list.