ECOWAS Single Currency Push: ECOWAS reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in phases by 2027, starting with countries meeting inflation, debt and monetary stability criteria, while key issues remain around the future central bank and how to bring in CFA franc users like Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. Air Connectivity for West Africa: Etihad Airways and Nigeria’s Air Peace signed an interline agreement enabling one-ticket travel from Abu Dhabi via Lagos/Accra to 20 destinations across Nigeria, West and Central Africa, including Abidjan, Dakar and Conakry—boosting regional business travel and UAE-Africa commercial links. Cocoa Supply Chain Under US Scrutiny: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt was sued in a US court over alleged child labour in cocoa sourced from Ghana and Ivory Coast, with the complaint alleging misleading consumer claims despite Lindt’s denial and insistence on supplier monitoring. Sports Funding Watch (Ghana): Ghana’s Finance Minister said the government will recover GHS 58m spent to support the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign once FIFA releases appearance funds—highlighting how delayed payments can force public cash advances. Regional Industry Agenda (Côte d’Ivoire): Tanzania joined other African countries pushing faster industrialisation at AU finance and trade meetings in Abidjan, focusing on access to development finance, debt management, capital markets and private sector participation.