Cocoa Value Push: Four African cocoa giants (including Côte d’Ivoire) signed a “From Bean to Brand” alliance in Abuja to end raw bean exports and push shared quality standards, investment in processing plants, and stronger bargaining power—aiming to capture more of the chocolate value chain. Cocoa Market Watch: Cocoa prices slid to fresh lows amid mixed demand signals (weaker Europe grindings, stronger North America and Asia) while Ivory Coast shipments rose and inventories climbed—keeping pressure on prices. Mining & Security: An ACLED report says Sahel jihadist groups are increasingly exploiting mining economies to fund operations, control road networks, and expand influence, with JNIM and Islamic State-linked groups tied to mining-adjacent violence. Energy Transition (Nigeria): A BloombergNEF report flags Nigeria’s fast growth in small-scale solar, but warns utility-scale renewables lag because grid and investment bottlenecks block bigger electricity gains. Ivory Coast Mining Update: Awalé Resources reported high-grade deep drilling at its Odienné project (gold-copper), expanding the underground growth case for the BBM deposit. Regional Governance: ECOWAS approved new appointments for 2026–2030 across its Commission, Court of Justice, and health institutions. ECOWAS Football Hosting: WAFU Zone B named Ghana’s Tophic Abdul Kadir as Media Officer for the 2026 U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire.