Cocoa & Ports: Ivory Coast’s cocoa regulator and exporters warn a delayed 2026/27 main crop could choke Abidjan and San Pedro ports in Nov–Dec as shipments race ahead of stricter EU deforestation rules, with the main season potentially pushed back 8–10 weeks. Cashew Boom: Côte d’Ivoire remains the world’s top cashew producer (about 40% global output), with production rising to 1.549m tonnes in 2025 and farmer income jumping to 660bn CFA francs, as the sector pushes further processing and investment. Gold Drilling Watch: Aurum Resources’ latest high-grade assay results from its Boundiali gold project in Côte d’Ivoire lifted investor sentiment, reinforcing confidence in the resource scale. Agri-Policy Links: Vietnam and Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly leaders agreed to deepen parliamentary cooperation and study agricultural production and export models, including rice processing in Can Tho. Trade & Security: INTERPOL’s Operation Jackal IV—covering 22 countries including Côte d’Ivoire—ended with 58 arrests and 263 suspects identified, targeting cyber-enabled fraud networks linked to West African organised crime. Energy/Offshore: Petrobras has entered negotiations for four offshore exploration blocks in Ghana’s Keta Basin, continuing its West Africa expansion that also includes interests in Ivory Coast. Health & Industry: A Senegal-made generic hydroxyurea treatment is reported as the first Africa-produced option for sickle cell care, aiming to cut costs and improve access across West Africa.