Climate & Disaster Risk: Scientists say human-driven climate change has made West Africa’s extreme rainy-season downpours about five times more likely than in the late 1800s, with floods across coastal cities from Ivory Coast to Nigeria killing at least 59 in Côte d’Ivoire, 34 in Ghana and five in Togo. Abidjan & Regional Finance: African Risk Capacity (ARC) appoints David Maslo as CEO, highlighting its Abidjan relocation and expanded flood insurance and risk-financing tools. Energy & Investment: Eni awards SLB OneSubsea a major Phase 3 contract for the Baleine deepwater project offshore Côte d’Ivoire, covering subsea systems for 13 wells. Cocoa Value Addition: West African cocoa producers sign the Abuja Declaration to push local processing under a Cocoa Value Addition Alliance, aiming to move “from bean to brand.” Mobility & Visas: South Africa publishes its 2026 visa-free list for African nationals, including Côte d’Ivoire for up to 30 days. Trade & Borders: Ghana’s informal cross-border trade with Togo, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire hits GH¢31bn in Q1–Q3 2025, outpacing formal trade. Governance & Security: ECOWAS infrastructure officials in Abidjan urge stronger PPP rules and “bankable” projects to unlock long-term private capital.