LNG Infrastructure in Abidjan: EXMAR secured a 10-year lease with Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) and Petroci for a 152,000 m³ FSRU (250 million ft³/d), with LNG imports starting 3Q27 and regasified gas feeding power generation—aimed at boosting energy security as demand rises. Oil & Gas Expansion: Petrobras signed production-sharing contracts for eight offshore Côte d’Ivoire blocks, with Petrobras Netherlands holding 90% and Petroci 10%, expanding exploration on the equatorial margin. Offshore Oil Stake Moves: SOCAR completed a 10% acquisition in the Baleine project, joining Eni, Vitol and Petroci as the field scales up. Mining Crackdown: Côte d’Ivoire suspended new artisanal and semi-industrial gold mining permits for six months and set up 21 river security units to curb illegal mining, with tougher penalties planned. Cocoa Market Pressure: Farmers were urged to stay calm after sharp farm-gate price drops for coffee and cocoa, blamed on shifting global supply expectations and domestic weather. Trade & Logistics Cost Shock: Abidjan–Douala container shipping costs jumped 95% in 2025, making the route more expensive than Antwerp/Le Havre to Douala. Industrial Skills Push: China-Africa vocational education cooperation continues to build job-ready skills, with African competitors gaining pathways through skills competitions.