Reforestation for growth: Côte d’Ivoire says it wants reforestation to become a real economic driver, aiming to lift forest cover to at least 20% by 2030. The plan targets forest landscape restoration, urban forestry and sustainable water management, citing pressure from agriculture, illegal mining, bushfires and urbanisation. Power-sector investment push: EBRD’s Sub-Saharan Africa MD Heike Harmgart says the bank is expanding operations across Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin, with Abidjan opening in October, and stresses that fixing power is key to unlocking private investment. Education debt relief: UNESCO urges wider debt-for-education swaps, warning 113 countries now spend more on debt service than on education; it cites Côte d’Ivoire as an example where a France-backed swap helped fund 30+ schools. Cocoa market watch: Cocoa prices are rebounding after a slump, with heavy rains in Ivory Coast and Ghana disrupting plantations and logistics and raising disease risks. Aviation and trade rules: Zimbabwe is reviewing air service agreements to support SAATM and AfCFTA trade—an angle that matters for regional connectivity and business travel. US visa restrictions: The US keeps full entry bans for four West African countries and applies partial restrictions to Côte d’Ivoire and others, affecting cross-border mobility for workers and firms.