BCEAO and BEAC strengthen strategic partnership in Dakar for African monetary cooperation
via Abidjan.net9 min read
The governors of the Central Bank of West African States BCEAO, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, and the Bank of Central African States BEAC, Yvon Sana Bangui, held a bilateral meeting in Dakar on May 6, 2026. Hosted at the BCEAO headquarters, this meeting aimed to reinforce cooperation between the two major sub-regional African monetary institutions. The discussions were part of a cooperation agreement signed in Dakar on November 18, 2008, which seeks to enhance synergy between the central banks in addressing common economic, financial, and technological challenges. The leaders evaluated the 2025-2026 action plan adopted in Yaoundé on January 27, 2025, assessing progress and identifying strategic priorities. Key areas of focus included digital transformation and financial inclusion, innovation and cybersecurity, and the modernization and interconnection of payment systems. External financial relations were also discussed. Both institutions acknowledged the advancements in experience sharing and technical consultations between their teams, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation amid rapid changes in the global financial sector. The governors emphasized the importance of this collaboration for monetary and financial stability within the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, noting its contribution to regional financial integration, particularly through the Association of African Central Banks. They also reit
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Côte d'Ivoire will be the guest of honor at the third edition of AFRETAIL, the African retail and franchise forum, scheduled for June 30, 2026, in Paris. This year's event aims to accelerate the development of retail and franchising across Africa and foster business opportunities between international and African stakeholders. The selection of Côte d'Ivoire highlights the growing interest from investors and major brands in the Ivorian economy, recognized as a key growth driver in Francophone Africa. The country's sustained growth, improving business environment, significant infrastructure investments, rapid urbanization, and expanding middle class enhance its appeal for modern trade and franchise development. AFRETAIL seeks to catalyze the structuring and formalization of retail on the continent, targeting international and regional brands looking to expand in Africa, local distributors, commercial real estate players, and industry experts. The forum will feature conferences, roundtables, B2B meetings, networking sessions, and market opportunity presentations. High-level speakers from retail, distribution, industry, and African and international public institutions are expected, including Matié Koné, Marketing Director of L'Oréal; Ronan Le Mestre, Retail Director of PAUL bakeries; Rosemary Meziem-Okoye of LATC Group Nigeria; and Stanislas Zézé, who will discuss macroeconomic issues in Africa. Organized by CONCRETIZ and Eurelia, the international division of PROCOS, AFRETAIL h
Ibrahime Coulibaly Kuibiert has been officially appointed as the President of the State Council in Côte d'Ivoire. This announcement was made on Thursday, May 7, 2026, by Abidjan.net TV. The State Council is a significant institution within the Ivorian government structure.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara appointed Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert as President of the Council of State on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The announcement was made via an official statement read by Masseré Touré, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic. Coulibaly-Kuibiert, a senior magistrate, replaces Patrice Yao Kouakou, whose term had expired. Prior to this appointment, Ibrahime Coulibaly-Kuibiert served as president of the Independent Electoral Commission, an institution that was dissolved following a Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Abidjan, as announced by government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly.
The Professional African MMA PRIAM league, a new sports league aimed at developing combat sports across Africa and enabling athletes to earn a living from their craft, was officially launched on Friday, May 1, 2026, in Abidjan. The launch event was attended by numerous MMA athletes and representatives from the Ivorian Mixed Martial Arts Federation FIAMM. This initiative, led by Ouhon Jallah Henry, an MMA athlete and trainer, and supported by FIAMM, seeks to elevate African athletes and allow them to compete with their Western counterparts. Henry stated that the vision for PRIAM is to highlight young African talents, as there are many in Côte d'Ivoire, and to professionalize the sport, as many existing African leagues are not professional. Colonel Tapé Legrey, representing FIAMM, emphasized that the new league will promote Ivorian MMA and help build careers for athletes, aspiring for a global standard. David Coppola, technical director of the Ivorian MMA Federation, added that the league will provide a platform for all African athletes to express themselves, noting the growing enthusiasm for MMA among the Ivorian population, evidenced by high-level fights in Abidjan.