Mining & Metals: EU Gold Mining says its maiden diamond drilling at the Kimoukro gold project in Côte d’Ivoire confirmed bedrock mineralisation, with high-grade gold hits and visible gold in core, refining the geological model for follow-up work. Cement & Construction Materials: LafargeHolcim Côte d’Ivoire appointed Mohamed Kharraki as managing director effective 1 August 2026, with a focus on safety, operational performance, digitalisation and decarbonisation across its Abidjan and San Pédro plants. Energy & Industry Finance: Murphy Oil’s Bubale ultra-deepwater appraisal in Ivory Coast is set to determine scale and development path, with management pointing to the importance of the next appraisal well to clarify the oil-water boundary. Trade & Logistics: ECOWAS is pushing to cut border delays along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor, using tools like biometric IDs, SIGMAT transit and joint border posts to reduce friction for traders and travellers. Agribusiness & Cocoa Markets: Cocoa prices steadied after sharp drops, supported by weather-driven flowering in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and updated shipping/inventory data; meanwhile, Ghana’s cocoa farmers are resisting a new land-use law that could restrict how they use their own farms. Mobility & Fintech: Naran raised $10m to scale rent-to-own mobility financing and fleet operations, including in Côte d’Ivoire, aiming to expand fintech products and offer fleet management tech to third parties.