Inner circles | Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
Michel Arrion, the cocoa diplomat with a global network

Ghana, Ivory Coast
International Finance Corporation mulls major loan to Swiss cocoa trader Ecom

The sum in question is $230m.

Nigeria
Cocoa industry relieved at delay in EU anti-deforestation regulation

The Nigerian cocoa market, which is made up of small-scale producers and is largely deregulated, fears the impact of the European legislation on its exports. The industry is trying to rally support for its cause.

Ivory Coast
EU to step up anti-terrorism training in northern Ivory Coast

After pledging to finance military equipment for the country's army and training 300 of its gendarmes, the European Union may provide training for forest rangers in the Comoé National Park who face incursions by armed groups.

Morocco
Belgium forks out €30m for regions hit by earthquake

The government's development agency Enabel is helping regions hit by last September's earthquake.

The New Guard
DRC, Sudan, Ghana

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

DRC Noëlla Ayeganagato Nakwipone, young but not inexperienced minister

Sudan Mohamed Sigeir, pharmacist and central to Taqaddum coalition

Ghana Nana Kwasi Barning Ackah, key cocoa mediator

Ivory Coast
Cargill loses its cocoa pole position

The American trading giant is now only the third-largest exporter of beans from Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast
Ouattara eager to settle tax dispute with Cargill

The Ivorian president is keen for the US trader, which has been accused of failing to pay its taxes, to put its affairs in order. The US ambassador in Abidjan is keeping a close eye on developments.

Ivory Coast
Abidjan stings Cargill with hefty tax fine

Faced with a tax adjustment of over CFA Francs 100bn, the US group, the largest exporter of Ivorian cocoa beans, is trying to negotiate with the Ivorian authorities through the US Chamber of Commerce in Ivory Coast.

The New Guard
Niger, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, South Africa

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Niger Karim Soumana, Bazoum's soon-to-be ambassador in Qatar

Tunisia Faouzi Daas, Kais Saied's strategic adviser and upcoming MP

Ivory Coast Bakary Traoré, guardian of Ivory Coast's forests

South Africa Leon Schreiber, the opposition MP embarrassing the ANC

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics. This week: Pauline Zei (Ivory Coast), Ahmed Luxor (Egypt), Veronica Kariuki (Kenya) and Ranto Andriambololona (Madagascar).

Ivory Coast Pauline Zei, spokeswoman for cocoa growers

Egypt Ahmed Luxor, a PR veteran putting Egypt's richest in the frame

Kenya Veronica Kariuki, a bridge between Paris and Nairobi

Madagascar Ranto Andriambololona, AI left, right and centre