Latest news with #Côte d'Ivoire
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Technical mission to Ghana on the deployment of Système Interconnecté de Gestion des Marchandises en Transit (SIGMAT) between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire
From the 21st to 25th of July 2025, the ECOWAS Commission conducted a technical mission to Ghana as part of transit reforms aimed at ensuring the efficient cross-border movement of goods in the region. To this end, an IT solution called SIGMAT – ' Système interconnecté de gestion des marchandises en transit ' (Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit) – was established to enable the electronic exchange of data between Member States. Since the launch of SIGMAT in 2019, the Member States that have implemented this tool have reported its significant impact on transit procedures and the benefits it has brought to the countries. It is in this context that ECOWAS Ministers from the Member States of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor (ALCO), meeting in Cotonou on the 5th of October 2023, requested the ECOWAS Commission to ensure the prompt deployment of SIGMAT in the five Member States of the corridor. This is to facilitate the smooth cross-border movement of goods along the corridor. Consequently, the ECOWAS Commission carried out a technical mission to Ghana from 21st to 25th July 2025 to assess and address the interconnection challenges between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire in order to ensure seamless SIGMAT connectivity along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor. The mission brought together technical and functional experts from the Commission, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. During a meeting with the Commissioner of Customs of Ghana, the Director of Customs Union and Taxation, Mr. Salifou TIEMTORE, on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé TOURE-LITSE, reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to support Member States in their efforts to ensure the deployment of SIGMAT on all trade corridors to facilitate the efficient movement of goods in the region. For his part, the Commissioner of Customs of Ghana, Brigadier General Glover ASHONG ANNAN, expressed the Ghana Revenue Authority's gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for this timely intervention aimed at securing transit trade in the ECOWAS region and reducing transit-related fraud that threatens the revenues and security of Member States. At the end of the mission, the technical and functional challenges hindering the proper functioning of transit between Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana were resolved. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
President Ouattara, 83, to seek fourth term in Côte d'Ivoire
Veteran Côte d'Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara has said he will seek a fourth term in the west African country, as tensions rise over the exclusion of many opposition candidates. Ouattara, 83, has led Côte d'Ivoire since 2011. He is described as the overwhelming favourite to win the 25 October vote. Alassane Ouattara announced that he would be a candidate for re-election in a filmed address on Tuesday evening. Ouattara had already been nominated by his ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party, but he waited until this week to confirm he would run. Côte d'Ivoire's Ouattara poised for fourth term bid as opposition pushes back "I am a candidate because the constitution of our country allows me to run for another term and my health permits it," he said, adding that the world's top cocoa producer was "facing unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges, the management of which requires experience". For the past decade Ouattara has steered Côte d'Ivoire to relative stability, in a turbulent region which has seen a rash of military coups. Yet critics accuse him of tightening his grip on power. The opposition already argues a fourth Ouattara term would be unconstitutional. Opponents excluded Opponents have also accused the authorities of using courts to exclude opponents, as the two main opposition parties have had their leaders barred from running for the election. They launched a joint campaign to demand their reinstatement. The government insists the judiciary acts independently. Four Côte d'Ivoire opposition figures barred from October presidential election The African People's Party of Ivory Coast (PPACI), led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, and the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI), the country's largest opposition force, headed by former international banker Tidjane Thiam, have formed an alliance. Gbagbo, his former right-hand man Charles Ble Goude, and ex-prime minister Guillaume Soro have been struck from the electoral register due to criminal convictions. Côte d'Ivoire's former prime minister Soro says he is willing to 'end his exile' Thiam was also excluded by the judiciary over nationality issues. "The announcement made today by Mr Ouattara constitutes a violation of our constitution and a new attack on democracy," Thiam said in a statement. Pascal Affi N'Guessan, who will run to unseat Ouattara for the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), called it "a candidacy as illegal as his third". Critics had already questioned the legality of Ouattara's third mandate as the law limited him to two, until the adoption of a new constitution in 2016 reset the term counter to zero. And the opposition boycotted the 2020 vote when Ouattara won by a landslide, with at least 85 people killed in the ensuing unrest. Long road to power Ouattara entered politics when Côte d'Ivoire's founding president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, appointed him to chair a body on economic recovery in the midst of an economic crisis. Then as Houphouet-Boigny's health worsened, Ouattara assumed increasing responsibility for the country's affairs. When the president died in December 1993, Ouattara was embroiled in a brief power struggle with Henri Konan Bédié, the speaker of parliament, and then left Côte d'Ivoire to join the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 1995, he joined the Rally of the Republicans (RDR) party and planned on running as their presidential candidate, but he was barred from doing so following new laws requiring both parents of a candidate to be of Ivorian birth and for the candidate to have lived continuously in the country prior to an election. He was barred again from polls in 2000 on the same grounds. Two years later, a failed coup led to a civil war that divided the country into rebel-held and predominantly Muslim north, where Ouattara drew much of his support, and the government-controlled Christian-majority south. Low turnout in Côte d'Ivoire's first post-Gbagbo poll Ouattara was subjected to violence during the unrest, and left the country again, but returned to run in the 2010 election, that he won. But then-president Gbagbo refuse to concede defeat, which led to more unrest. More than 3,000 people were killed in fighting, before Ouattara became president in 2011. Gbagbo was acquitted of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court in The Hague but still has a conviction in Ivory Coast stemming from the post-election crisis that ended his rule. (with AFP)
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
West African advisers to boost agribusiness e-commerce
Small agribusinesses in Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire are eager to tap into regional markets, but limited digital skills and poor access to online platforms hold them back. Without targeted support, these businesses struggle to embrace e-commerce and expand beyond their local base. To close this gap, the International Trade Centre trained national advisors and support institutions to help agribusinesses go digital and sell across borders. Many small agribusinesses in West Africa face barriers to reaching broader markets due to poor digital skills, low online visibility, and little access to e-commerce. These challenges hold back their potential to scale and engage in regional trade. To help close this gap, the International Trade Centre (ITC), under its ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) programme, organized a regional training of trainers in April in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The five-day workshop brought together six newly appointed e-commerce advisors (three from each country) and eight representatives from business support organizations in Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. They received the tools and knowledge to support 30 agribusinesses—15 in each country—to trade online across the region. The participating advisors were selected for their potential to act as national champions for e-commerce capacity building. They were joined by eight representatives from four partner business support organizations: the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire (CCI-CI) and the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d'Ivoire (CNA-CI). This diverse mix fostered strong cross-border peer learning and established the foundation for sustained collaboration between national institutions. 'In my view, agro-processors will need this hands-on training to increase their visibility," said Ibrahima Bamba, Agricultural Advisor at the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d'Ivoire. Anuoluwapo Odubanjo, e-commerce Advisor for Nigeria added: 'Thanks to this training, I'm ready to support agribusinesses in developing tailored e-commerce strategies—from choosing the right platforms to managing online sales—so they can scale up their operations." The training covered digital marketing, online payment systems, shipping logistics, and customer service. Using interactive tools such as real-life case studies and peer learning, the sessions fostered collaboration and built confidence among participants. The impact is evident: 11 participants reported a significant improvement in their skills, and many left with action plans to support small businesses in their communities. From training rural entrepreneurs to helping businesses list on e-commerce platforms, the new advisors are ready to make a tangible impact. Since its launch in 2018, the programme has worked to bridge digital gaps and promote trade-ready agribusinesses in West Africa. By investing in local expertise, ITC's EAT programme is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and digitally connected agricultural economy in West Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Host Pressure, Dynasty Runs, And Debut Dreams: Women's AfroBasket 2025 Preview
LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 04: Ezinne Kalu #23 of Team Nigeria celebrates victory during the Women's ... More Group Phase - Group match between of Team Canada and Team Nigeria on day nine of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Pierre Mauroy Stadium on August 04, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by) Getty Images Today marks the beginning of Africa's largest women's basketball tournament, where twelve national teams will compete for the AfroBasket title in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In addition to continental pride, the winner will secure a direct spot in the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Furthermore, the top four teams will qualify for the global qualifying tournaments. Côte d'Ivoire will host the Women's AfroBasket for the first time, with all games taking place at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan. They have been drawn alongside Egypt and Angola in Group A and will begin their campaign against Egypt on July 26. Historically, Côte d'Ivoire has had the upper hand over Egypt in recent meetings; however, the closer results in recent years suggest that this opening match will test their composure in front of a home crowd eager for success. Under the leadership of new coach Stéphane Leite, Côte d'Ivoire aims to build on the flashes of promise seen in 2023. Although they managed to defeat Angola, they fell short of reaching the knockout rounds. There is optimism that the possible inclusion of former WNBA guard Kariata Diaby will strengthen their experienced core and help them secure their first-ever AfroBasket medal on home soil. LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 29: Team Nigeria celebrates with Ezinne Kalu of Nigeria during the Women's ... More basketball Group Phase - B match between Team Nigeria and Team Australia on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 29, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images) Getty Images Fresh off a landmark Olympic performance in Paris, where they became the first African basketball team to reach the Olympic quarterfinals, Nigeria is now considered the team to beat. Their historic victory over Canada was a significant milestone, even though they eventually bowed out to the USA, highlighting their growth on the global stage. Having won four consecutive AfroBasket titles since 2017, D'Tigress are now pursuing a record-extending fifth championship in a row behind the leadership of Rena Wakama who became the first female coach to win an AfroBasket in 2023 and now serves as the assistant coach for the WNBA's Chicago Sky. They will begin Group D action against Rwanda on July 26, led by veterans such as Ezinne Kalu, Amy Okonkwo, and Promise Amukamara. While Nigeria's dominance in African basketball remains unparalleled, their preparations have faced some challenges, and they are aware that their rivals are closing the gap quickly. South Sudan: A Debut Fueled by Dreams South Sudan is set to participate in its first Women's AfroBasket after being granted a wildcard entry. The Bright Starlets achieved their first international victory last year by defeating Rwanda in the Zone 5 qualifiers, highlighting their rapid progress since joining FIBA in 2013. They have been placed in Group B, alongside Mali and Cameroon. South Sudan will open the tournament against Mali on July 26, followed by a match against Cameroon the next day. For South Sudan, this debut is about more than just winning; it represents an opportunity to establish themselves among Africa's basketball nations and inspire a new generation back home. Uganda vs Senegal: Revenge or Repeat? ANTWERP, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 8: Dillard Cierra of Senegal during a basketball game between the ... More womens national teams of Senegal and Nigeria at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Antwerp on February 8, 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium. (Photo by Isosport/) Getty Images In 2023, Uganda pulled off one of the biggest shocks in AfroBasket by defeating Senegal 85–83, establishing themselves as a threat in the tournament. The two teams will meet again in Group C on July 27, and Senegal will be eager to avoid another upset. Senegal, the most decorated team in Africa, is determined to reclaim its position at the top after losing to Nigeria in three of the last four finals. The team will heavily rely on the trio of Cierra Dillard, Yacine Diop, and Ndioma Kané. Kané led the team in scoring and rebounding during the World Cup pre-qualifiers, while Dillard and Diop contributed strong leadership and offensive power. For Uganda, another victory against Senegal would further solidify their ascent in the tournament. They are led by Jane Asinde, the MVP of their zone qualifiers, and they head into this matchup with confidence and a fearless mindset. Contenders Lurking: Angola, Mali, Egypt, Mozambique, and Cameroon Angola, champions in 2011 and 2013, are currently in a rebuilding phase under coach Paulo Macedo. Despite recent struggles, they remain a formidable team with veterans like Nadir Manuel and Cristina Matiquite. Additionally, guard Italee Lucas, who recently showcased impressive skills in qualifying, adds to their strength. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: Sika Kone #3 of the Washington Mystics dribbles the ball in the ... More first half against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena on September 11, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Getty Images Mali continues to benefit from its exceptional youth development program, having won every U16 African title since 2009 and nine U18 championships. The team is led by 23-year-old Sika Koné, who brings valuable WNBA and World Cup experience to a squad eager to add to Mali's impressive collection of eight AfroBasket medals. Egypt has not claimed AfroBasket gold since 1977 but hopes to change that this year. Key players, including Raneem El-Gedawy, Nadine Mohamed, and recent NCAA Champion, Jana El Alfy, will be vital to their campaign. Mozambique, currently ranked fourth on the continent, is still seeking its first AfroBasket title after several close calls. With Leia Dongue at the helm of an experienced team entering through a wildcard entry, they possess both the skills and determination to challenge the top teams. Cameroon, ranked sixth in Africa, aims for their first podium finish outside their home soil. Under the guidance of coach Ahmed Njoya, they have talented players like Monique Makani from the Phoenix Mercury and Dulcy Fankam, who provide depth and experience to Group B. A Tournament of Narratives The 2025 Women's AfroBasket will not only determine the champions of Africa but also shape the narrative of basketball on the continent. Will Côte d'Ivoire turn home court into a fairytale run? Can Nigeria leverage its Olympic successes to secure a historic fifth crown? Will South Sudan inspire with their debut, and can Uganda continue its tradition of giant-killing? Will Senegal reclaim its legacy, or will rising contenders like Mali, Angola, Egypt, Mozambique, and Cameroon defy expectations? Abidjan is set to witness more than just trophies being awarded; it will showcase the evolution of African women's basketball. Every layup, defensive stop, and upset will redefine what's possible for the sport across the continent.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
In Mékro, in central Côte d'Ivoire, sustainable agriculture is giving hope to an entire community
Day breaks in Mékro, some 300 km from Abidjan, in central Côte d'Ivoire. The first rays of sun announce the start of what promises to be another sweltering day in a region known for its intense heat. Some women return from the backwaters bringing water to supply the family beehives. Others, armed with brooms made from palm leaves, begin sweeping the compounds, clearing away fallen leaves and scraps from the previous day's meals. A little farther off, domestic animals gradually emerge from their pens, joining the morning hustle and bustle that breathes life back into Mékro's daily routine. In this area of high food crop production, yams, rice and cassava are produced in abundance. Yet despite its agricultural riches, Mékro has long remained in the shadows, unlike other places. For years, farmers here relied on age-old techniques passed down through generations—methods that limited yields and left the population in a state of chronic vulnerability. That morning, Koffi Kouakou Charles, known as "KKC," sharpened his machete, the basic tool he uses to clear his field, under the watchful eyes of his seven children. At 30 years old, he mounted his bicycle and headed to Abokouassikro, five km away, where he has cultivated yams for several years. In the past, Koffi grew 'Kouba' yams, a popular local variety. Reflecting on those days, he recalls how traditional farming techniques learned and passed down from his ancestors, failed to reward his hard work. "Frankly, the work was exhausting. On top of that, we were using old-fashioned techniques. Despite our efforts, the harvests were poor. It was really hard," sighs Koffi. Hope restored In the first half of 2024, his plight worsened when an epidemic known as the peste des petits ruminants (PPR) struck the village and wiped out his hens and goats. Hurting from this new financial blow, Koffi turned to the Project to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholders and Women (PREMOPEF) ( to regain hope. Set up by the government of Côte d'Ivoire, the project is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) ( and the African Development Fund ( the concessional financing window of the African Development Bank Group. Its objective is to contribute to improving first, food and nutrition security and secondly, resilience to the effects of climate change among smallholder farmers, women and young people in the N'Zi region. The project is focused on three agricultural crops: yams, cassava and vegetables, as well as traditional poultry farming, and aims to improve the living conditions of 60,000 vulnerable people, 50 percent of whom are women and 35 percent young people. At the "Farmer Training Field," one of the project's initiatives, Koffi and his fellow project beneficiaries were introduced to agroecological techniques for yam production and conservation. Thanks to the training, Koffi has turned his back on "Kouba" yams and old production practices in favour of new varieties called "Anader" and "Cameroun" (also known as "R3" and "C15"), which are more climate-resistant and productive. A twofold increase in yield From his first harvest in December 2024, Koffi's yam yield doubled—from two to four tonnes on the same plot of land. Thinking ahead, he reserved three-quarters of the harvest for his family's consumption and seed stock for the next season. The remaining quarter was sold at the local market in Mékro, earning him 125,000 CFA francs (around USD 250)—a significant windfall in this rural region. 'Before, I was just focused on surviving,' Koffi says. 'Today, thanks to this project, I can think about my children's future and even expand my farm.' Energized by his progress, Koffi is now determined to scale up and become one of the region's leading yam producers. The prospect of mechanizing his work excites him. 'I'm thinking of buying a ridging machine and a seed drill to make fieldwork easier and increase my yield,' he says confidently. 'The Project to Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholders and Women is a powerful tool for reducing household vulnerability and strengthening resilience to economic and environmental shocks,' says Ceserd Waba Akpaud, the project coordinator. 'PREMOPEF reflects our commitment to transforming rural communities through sustainable, farmer-focused solutions. By applying innovative approaches, we're putting agriculture at the center of inclusive development,' adds Philip Boahen, GAFSP project coordinator at the African Development Bank. To further boost his productivity, Koffi also envisions large-scale storage facilities to cut post-harvest losses. He's planning to diversify his activities too. After losing his livestock to PPR—a disease he attributes to a lack of proper training—he intends to relaunch his poultry business using improved, safer methods. He is now exploring livestock training courses to build the necessary skills. 'It's also a chance for me to make up for the schooling I missed,' he says, determined to turn past setbacks into opportunities. With the knowledge he's gained and the positive impact of the project, a new horizon is opening—not just for Koffi, but for the people of Mékro and the broader economy of the N'Zi region. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
