Ivory Coast plans to invest $55 million in its northern region over the next three years to address youth idleness and prevent jihadist recruitment. This initiative is part of a larger $5.2 billion program aimed at improving living conditions across the country. Prime Minister Patrick Achi emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of instability. The northern region has experienced attacks linked to an Islamic insurgency spreading from Mali. Despite significant economic growth under President Alassane Ouattara, critics argue that development efforts have been concentrated in the capital, Abidjan, neglecting other areas.

Ivory Coast Prime Minister Patrick Achi returned to Abidjan after being hospitalized in France, expressing good health and readiness to resume work. Achi succeeded Hamed Bakayoko, who died of cancer in Germany, and Bakayoko had taken over from Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who died after returning from Paris for heart treatment.

High-income countries have administered significantly more Covid-19 vaccine doses per capita compared to Africa, where the rate is much lower. WHO's Moeti criticizes the decision of countries like Israel and the U.S. to administer booster shots, highlighting the disparity in vaccine distribution. African health officials warn against booster shots as less than 2% of the continent is fully vaccinated. The situation is exacerbated by multiple outbreaks, including viral haemorrhagic fevers in Ivory Coast and Guinea. Ivory Coast's Health Minister Pierre Dimba notes the country's experience with Ebola may aid in managing the current health crises.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is negotiating with Pfizer Inc. to import the Covid-19 oral treatment Paxlovid. Africa CDC Director John Nkengasong confirmed the ongoing discussions aimed at making the drug available on the continent.

Senegal plans to use part of a €775 million bond sale to fund a new initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment, following protests earlier this year. The fund, worth 450 billion CFA francs, will support small enterprises and job creation. Minister Amadou Sarr hopes the finance ministry will allocate some bond proceeds to this fund. Additionally, Sarr proposes a $500 million 'youth bond' to further support young people. The protests, driven by economic hardship and the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, highlighted the urgent need for employment solutions.

The African Development Bank postponed its annual investment forum in Ivory Coast due to the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus strain, which has disrupted global travel. The forum was expected to announce $110 billion in investments to aid Africa's recovery from the pandemic. The new variant, first identified in South Africa and Botswana, has caused global panic and travel bans on southern African nations.

Norway's wealth fund, the world's largest stock owner, faces a moral dilemma as it tries to balance sustainable investing with its significant holdings in companies linked to child labor in the cocoa industry. The fund, which owns shares in major chocolate makers like Nestle, Hershey, and Barry Callebaut, is pushing these companies to address child labor issues while maintaining its investments to drive positive change. Despite global efforts, child labor remains prevalent in West Africa's cocoa farming regions. The fund's ethical considerations are increasingly influencing its investment decisions, as seen in its past divestments from companies like Walmart and its ongoing scrutiny of firms like Facebook. The fund's approach highlights the complexities of ethical investing in a globalized economy. The article also discusses the broader challenges and strategies of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment practices.

Ivory Coast's cocoa regulator, Le Conseil du Cafe-Cacao, defended its decision to allocate 20% of international cocoa contracts to local exporters to help them learn the trade alongside multinational companies. Managing Director Yves Kone emphasized the need for serious local exporters to overcome financial obstacles and integrate more into the sales system. The allocation is part of reforms initiated in 2011-12 to boost local participation in the $100 billion chocolate industry.

The Ivory Coast has appointed a new forestry minister, replacing Alain-Richard Donwahi, as part of a reduced cabinet now consisting of 32 ministers, down from 41. This marks the second reduction in a year, aimed at enhancing government effectiveness amid the current global economic situation. The forestry ministry is crucial for the nation's goal to expand forest area to 20% of its territory by 2030, addressing deforestation to maintain its cocoa exports to the European Union.

Ecobank Transnational Inc. sees new opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo following its addition to the East African Community, which now includes seven member states and a combined GDP of $250 billion. Ecobank aims to expand its business in the DRC, leveraging the market potential of nearly 100 million people. The bank plans to replicate the success of other lenders in the region, despite recent regulatory challenges in Kenya. Ecobank's strategic alliance with Nedbank Group Ltd. and its focus on wealth management are key components of its growth strategy.