West Africa Trade & Ports: Ghana’s EXIM Frozen Foods Association is pushing back hard against plans to revive the Cargo Tracking Note/Smart Port Note, warning it could add €187.2m–€382.8m yearly to importers and raise port costs by duplicating existing customs systems. Regional Diplomacy & Infrastructure: Benin’s President Romuald Wadagni met Côte d’Ivoire’s Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, agreeing to deepen coordination on trade, infrastructure and energy to support stability across West Africa. Urban Mobility & Digital Services: Yango Group held Innovation Day 2026 in Abidjan with 200+ leaders, showcasing AI and logistics tools and launching local partnerships and its Côte d’Ivoire Fellowship cohort. Industrial Growth & Investment: A report highlights Abidjan’s push toward becoming a West African investment gateway, anchored by the €1.8bn Metro Line 1 project aimed at cutting congestion and boosting daily mobility. Energy Access: The World Bank says the West Africa Power Pool programme is expanding cross-border electricity trade and improving supply, with millions gaining access since 2019. Cocoa Market Pressure: Cocoa prices remain under strain as inventories rise and demand recovery looks slower, while El Niño risks and shipment volumes from Côte d’Ivoire keep traders on edge. Turkey’s Trade Push: Turkey is deepening investment in Côte d’Ivoire across construction, energy, agriculture, food, textiles, logistics and manufacturing, with trade reportedly doubling to around $1.5bn.