
Société Générale Côte d’Ivoire SGCI announced a significant dividend distribution of 81.081 billion FCFA for the 2025 financial year, a substantial increase from 57.9 billion FCFA the previous year. This announcement was made by SGCI Director General Patrick Blas during the presentation of the bank's 2025 financial results and 2026 outlook in Abidjan-Plateau on April 17, 2026. The dividends represent 80% of the net profit, which exceeded 101 billion FCFA, with a total of 31 million shares. Blas highlighted a 40% increase in share value compared to the previous year, attributing the strong performance to the bank's robust economic model and confidence in its future prospects. The bank's total balance sheet reached 3,769 billion FCFA, up 4.3% from 2024, and credit outstanding grew by 2.9% to 2,546 billion FCFA, despite a slowdown in economic activity in late 2025. Deposits rose by 5.8% to 2,908 billion FCFA, improving the credit-to-deposit ratio to 87.6%. While general expenses increased by 7.3% due to exceptional costs like headquarters renovation, the operating ratio remained controlled at 38.8%. The net cost of risk also rose by 29.2%, reflecting prudent portfolio management. The non-performing loan rate stood at 8% with an 82% coverage rate, indicating solid asset quality. The net profit of 101.352 billion FCFA remained stable compared to 2024, confirming the bank's resilience in a challenging environment. For 2026, SGCI plans to strengthen its market position by focusing o
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Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, announced several US commercial agreements in Côte d'Ivoire on July 16, 2026, during his first visit to Africa since taking office. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. Notably, Starlink has been authorized to provide high-speed internet services throughout Côte d'Ivoire, including rural areas, utilizing American satellite technology. Additionally, the Ivorian government has approved a $170 million project by US company Cybastion, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. This project will establish a sovereign national data center, a platform for digitizing public services, and an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to enhance the American presence in Côte d'Ivoire's digital sector, creating jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative under a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between ABD Group and the Ivorian government. This project will construct 55 new primary health centers and 15 new maternity wards in university and regional hospital centers, along with hospital rehabilitation projects, with work commencing in 2026 and lasting 36 months. Furthermore, US technological logistics company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to expand
Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, announced several commercial agreements between American companies and Côte d'Ivoire during his first visit to Africa. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. The Ivorian government has granted final authorization to Starlink to provide high-speed internet services, utilizing American satellite technology to improve connectivity across the country, including rural areas. Additionally, American company Cybastion received approval for a $170 million project, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, to build a sovereign national data center, develop a public services digitization platform, and deploy an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to strengthen the American digital presence in Côte d'Ivoire and create jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative from a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between the company and the Ivorian government, covering health, education, and water. For logistics, American company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to deploy truck coordination technology at the Port of Abidjan to improve goods traffic flow. Garcia stated that Starlink's commercial services authorization is a significant step for conn

Sidi Touré, Vice-President of Liberal International and Minister of Animal and Fishery Resources, and Alexandra Heldt, West Africa Regional Director for the Friedrich Naumann Foundation FNF, have called for a new approach to the Africa-Europe partnership regarding migration. Speaking at the Liberal Forum for Political Dialogue in Abidjan, held from July 15-16, 2026, under the theme "Migration, security and development: rethinking the Africa-Europe partnership," they emphasized that migration should be viewed as a matter of freedom rather than solely a problem. Sidi Touré highlighted UN data indicating that migrants constitute 3.7% of the global population, with over 96% of people living in their birth countries, and noted that 70% of African migration occurs within the continent. He stressed the importance of preserving free movement, despite political divergences, particularly concerning the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS. Alexandra Heldt condemned xenophobic rhetoric in both Africa and Europe, citing violence against migrants in South Africa since 2008. She pointed out the paradox in Europe, where labor needs coexist with anti-immigration sentiment, and argued that migration fosters exchange, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Both advocated for a balanced Africa-Europe partnership founded on mobility, shared responsibility, and liberal values, urging decision-makers to focus on trust and cooperation over fear and rejection. Sidi Touré concluded by s