Guinea's President Mamadi Doumbouya returned to Conakry after an official visit to Côte d'Ivoire, where he met with President Alassane Ouattara to strengthen bilateral cooperation and discuss economic complementarity in agriculture and mining sectors.
Landlocked Niger is redirecting trade through Nigerian ports after a prolonged diplomatic dispute with Benin disrupted border routes, with Nigerien customs officials seeking enhanced cooperation to facilitate commerce and reduce regional economic hardship.
Samuel Mathey projects Côte d'Ivoire's 2026 economy will grow around 6.5%, supported by a ten-fold increase in development spending, cocoa sector coordination among West African producers, and emerging oil and gas discoveries, though corruption and youth unemployment pose risks.