Spotlight | Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria
Cameroon and Nigeria's talks with cocoa cartel bear fruit

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
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.

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

Ivory Coast
Power struggle between big business and Abidjan slows cocoa campaign

International traders and chocolate manufacturers are limiting purchases of cocoa beans in Ivory Coast. The local regulatory board is requiring them to acquire 20% from local exporters, and they are unable to find enough 'sustainable' material locally.

Cameroon
French publisher Michel Lafon caught up in legal whirlwind

The French publishing house has been accused of plagiarism by a Cameroonian author, who claims it used his method for learning to read in its school books. The publisher currently faces three simultaneous legal proceedings.

Ghana, Ivory Coast
Why West African producers snubbed World Cocoa Foundation meeting

The business and political leaders of Ivory Coast and Ghana's cocoa sectors did not attend the partnership meeting between the world's chocolate producers in Brussels this week. Their aim was to put pressure on European decision-makers working on new supply standards.

The New Guard
Guinea, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

GuineaDjami Diallo, key to negotiations on the Simandou iron ore project

KenyaOgutu Okudo, oil specialist and Odinga's spin doctor

South AfricaMaropene Ramokgopa, the pro-Ramaphosa leader of the ANC Women's League

GhanaTawiah Agyarko-Kwarteng, social and environmental spokesperson for the cocoa industry

West Africa
Abidjan and Accra allied against multinationals in new cocoa war

The heads of Ghana Cocobod and Ivory Coast's Conseil Café Cacao were in Accra last week to refine their joint strategy in the face of the industry's trading giants and industrialists, who are considering diversifying their supplies elsewhere.