Cocoa & Coffee Campaign: Côte d’Ivoire is set to unveil the 2026/27 coffee and cocoa farm-gate prices on Sept 1 at the Abidjan Exhibition Park during the 10th National Cocoa and Chocolate Days, with Vice-President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné acting for President Ouattara; the 2025/26 campaign peaked at 2,800 FCFA/kg, then fell to 1,200 FCFA/kg in the intermediate phase as global prices weakened, while forecasts warn of climate pressure and aging plantations. Cocoa Market Signals: Cocoa futures surged to multi-month highs as traders priced in tighter West African supply, citing disease risk and weaker crop prospects in both Ivory Coast and Ghana, alongside a sharply reduced global surplus estimate. Living Income Push: Fairtrade Africa is urging stronger coordination across the cocoa value chain to close the living income gap, pointing to new reference prices (including 1,758 FCFA/kg for Côte d’Ivoire). Abidjan Housing Crunch: An AFP report highlights how Abidjan’s booming population is outpacing decent, affordable housing, with renters struggling even as minimum wage levels lag rising costs. Trade & Finance Watch: Ivory Coast-linked digital banking is in the spotlight as Kenya’s central bank clears Nedbank’s planned majority buyout of NCBA, a deal that could reshape regional banking reach. Business & Innovation: Afrikrea relaunches under its original name on its 10th anniversary, returning to its mission as a marketplace for African and diaspora creators. Regional Diplomacy: Mauritanian and Ivorian foreign ministers chaired the first session of their Joint High Commission for Cooperation in Abidjan, focusing on agreements across security, trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, mining and agriculture.