Digital Infrastructure Push: Côte d’Ivoire has granted final approval for Starlink to operate, alongside a wider US-backed package including a sovereign data centre, a government digitisation platform, and smart border surveillance—signalling broadband, cloud, and public-sector tech moving together. Mining & Industrial Growth: Awalé Resources says deep drilling at its Odienné gold-copper project expanded the underground footprint, with BBM intercepts including 42m at 1.9 g/t gold and 0.57% copper, pointing to a larger high-grade district. Cocoa Value Addition: Four major cocoa producers (including Côte d’Ivoire) agreed to end raw bean exports and push “from bean to brand” processing, aiming for shared quality standards and more local manufacturing investment. Regional Governance: ECOWAS approved new appointments across its Commission, Court of Justice, and key institutions for 2026–2030, including an Internal Services commissioner from Côte d’Ivoire. Agrifood Innovation: GAIN and partners launched NourishNext West Africa 2026, a youth agrifood challenge backing fruit and vegetable solutions across Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. Climate & Flooding Debate: A Phys.org climate attribution rebuttal argues West Africa’s heavy rains aren’t simply “new” or solely climate-driven, with urbanization and land factors also shaping flood risk.