Port & Logistics: Vizhinjam International Seaport kicks off full EXIM land-based export-import operations today, flagging off its first container of Kerala food products—an upgrade from transshipment to a wider gateway for regional trade. Mobility Finance: Naran raises US$10m in equity and debt to expand rent-to-own vehicle financing for drivers across Colombia, Peru, Senegal and Ivory Coast, with plans for new fintech products and a software-as-a-service push for fleet operators. Energy Infrastructure: Genser Energy secures EUR 456m term and revolving credit facilities to fund EPC completion, strengthen its balance sheet, and accelerate gas-to-power expansion across West Africa, building on prior Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire financing. Cocoa & Compliance: West Africa’s cocoa sector faces mounting pressure from EU anti-deforestation rules, with traceability and farm mapping challenges likely to raise costs and threaten EU supply access—especially for smallholders. Coconut Renewal (Côte d’Ivoire): Côte d’Ivoire moves to replant ageing coconut plantations, targeting 100,000 hectares over 10 years with new CNRA hybrids and initial plant distribution already underway. Mining (Côte d’Ivoire): Aurum Resources reports new gold intercepts from diamond drilling at its Boundiali project (BST1 and BST2), supporting continued resource growth potential. Trade Facilitation: ECOWAS steps up border dialogue along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor to cut delays and improve services at crossings like Noépé-Akanu.