Cocoa & Agribusiness: Cocoa prices slid sharply as European grindings fell and heavy rains in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana disrupted roads and farm access, raising yield and disease risks. Industrial Minerals & Lithium: Kodal Minerals said Bougouni’s Q2 spodumene output lagged budget due to crushing circuit breakdowns, but repairs lifted June performance; the firm also received its first $13m loan repayment tied to exports to China. Energy & Infrastructure Finance: The AfDB approved a $400m climate-backed loan for South Africa’s municipal water and electricity upgrades, while Côte d’Ivoire’s PND 2026-2030 drew major private commitments, including AGL’s 800bn FCFA logistics investment. Fashion & Consumer Industry: Abidjan’s designers keep breaking through globally via social media and celebrity styling, with local brands aiming to scale without leaving the city. Trade, Logistics & Development: A World Bank package worth $429m was signed for Togo, including electricity access and transport/logistics corridor upgrades—useful signals for regional supply-chain competitiveness. Governance & Risk: FATF updated its monitored jurisdictions list, keeping Côte d’Ivoire on the grey list. Climate Resilience: Scientists say West Africa’s extreme June rainfall is now about 5x more likely due to climate change, with floods killing nearly 100 people across the region.