Reforestation Push: Côte d’Ivoire marked 2026 National Tree Day with a drive to lift forest cover to at least 20% by 2030, blaming past losses on farming expansion, illegal gold mining, bushfires and urban growth. Press Freedom: Reporters Without Borders and West African journalists renewed calls for the release of two Beninese reporters jailed since July 2025, warning no trial date has been set and citing health concerns for one. Cocoa Value-Chain Politics: Ghana and Ivory Coast are moving toward an “OPEC-style” coordinated cocoa strategy to stabilize farmgate prices and align crop calendars, as prices slump and farmers face disease, ageing trees and payment delays. Digital Skills for Youth: MTN Côte d’Ivoire and ALX launched a XOF 700 million training push for young people, covering AI, data analytics and entrepreneurship. Education Finance Pressure: UNESCO urged wider debt-for-education swaps, warning 113 countries now spend more on debt servicing than on schooling, including examples tied to Ivory Coast school construction. Climate & Flood Response: Ghana’s President Mahama chaired a National Security Council meeting on floods affecting seven regions, stressing heavier rainfall and rapid urban expansion as key drivers. Trade & Travel Constraints: The US kept full entry bans on four West African states in 2026 and maintained partial restrictions on Côte d’Ivoire and others, tightening scrutiny for travellers.