US Visa Bond Rules: The US has confirmed its visa bond programme is now permanent, with consular officers able to require refundable deposits of up to $20,000 for covered business/tourist visas; Côte d’Ivoire is on the list, with an implementation date of January 21, 2026, adding a new upfront cost and compliance hurdle for travellers and business travel planning. Cocoa Shock Risk: Ghana’s COCOBOD warns output could fall 16% in 2026/2027 due to El Niño-linked weather swings, swollen shoot disease, aging farms and illegal mining—an outlook that can ripple into West African cocoa pricing and procurement decisions, including Côte d’Ivoire’s supply chain. Regional Air Costs: Côte d’Ivoire is highlighted for fully implementing ECOWAS moves to cut selected air transport taxes and passenger/security charges—good news for regional business travel and tourism economics. Côte d’Ivoire Trade & Mobility: EQUIP AUTO Côte d’Ivoire is set for 26–28 Nov 2026 in Abidjan, aiming to draw 10,000 professionals and brands across vehicles, transport and aftermarket, signaling continued investment in the mobility sector. US-Africa Data Center Push: US-backed deals are expanding across Africa’s data center market, intensifying competition with China and shaping future infrastructure demand. Crisis Watch: UN experts say victims of Trafigura’s “Probo Koala” toxic waste dumping in Côte d’Ivoire still await justice after 20 years, keeping legal and reputational risk on the agenda.