LNG & Power Build-Out: Exmar signed a 10-year deal with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci to lease and operate a 152,000 m³ FSRU at Abidjan, with LNG imports due in Q3 2027 and regasified gas feeding electricity generation (project EBITDA cited at about $21.3m/year). Offshore Oil Push: Petrobras secured production-sharing contracts for eight offshore blocks (CI-513, CI-600, CI-601, CI-602, CI-603, CI-605, CI-701, CI-702), holding 90% via Petrobras Netherlands B.V., while Petroci keeps 10%. Baleine Stake Deal: SOCAR completed a 10% acquisition in Eni’s Baleine project off Côte d’Ivoire, joining Eni (37.25%) and Vitol (30%) with Petroci (22.75%), as the field scales toward Phase 3. Illegal Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire’s National Security Council suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units, with tougher penalties and site rehabilitation. Gold Processing Upgrade: Simep will be able to refine up to 100 tonnes of gold annually, targeting operations by H1 2027, as Côte d’Ivoire aims for 100 tonnes by 2030. Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa prices slid on signs of adequate near-term supply, with Ivory Coast harvest and shipment figures pointing to higher output and inventories. Trade & Logistics Cost Pressure: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, making the route more expensive than Antwerp and Le Havre to Douala. Business & Investment Pipeline: Côte d’Ivoire is set to pitch $80bn+ investment ambitions at a Business and Investment Forum in New York on Sept. 21 alongside global investors and development finance partners.