BRVM Banking: Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire started trading on the BRVM on Sept. 24 under ticker BBGC, opening at a reference price of 6,750 CFA francs after a public offer that drew 95.8bn CFA francs in orders for 67.5bn CFA francs of shares and added 17,544 new investors. Cocoa & Prices: Cocoa futures rose for a second session as dry weather in West Africa—and fears of stress on Ivory Coast crops—supported prices, even as recent data pointed to higher shipments and harvest volumes. Water Governance: Abidjan hosted ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS water governance talks, reviewing progress on integrated water resources management and pushing recommendations for the next ministerial review. Tech & Startups: Yango Fellowship wrapped in Abidjan with 24 fellows pitching solutions across cashless transport payments, digital identity, health supply visibility and cross-border job matching. Visa Policy: Ireland added Côte d’Ivoire to its 2026 list of nationalities exempt from visa application fees. Space Cooperation: Côte d’Ivoire signed the Artemis Accords in Abidjan, expanding NASA-linked cooperation in space science and Earth observation. Security Context: Analysts warn jihadist expansion is moving from the Sahel toward coastal West Africa, with weak governance and illicit economies enabling growth.