
The West African Economic and Monetary Union UEMOA has announced a call for applications for its excellence scholarship program. This initiative aims to select ten students from each member state to pursue higher education within the Union. The scholarships will support studies at the Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, or postdoctoral specialization levels in human health, at accredited higher education institutions located within UEMOA territory. This program, titled "UEMOA Excellence Scholarship Program for Training and Research," is part of the UEMOA Commission's 2025-2030 strategic plan, "Impact 2030." The scholarships are not cumulative with other grants and cannot be deferred; online training is not eligible. Eligibility criteria vary by academic level. For Bachelor's level, applicants must be 21 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Baccalaureate obtained in 2026 with a minimum average of 14/20. Master's candidates must be 24 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Bac+3 degree Bachelor's with a minimum average of 14/20. Doctoral candidates must be 28 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Bac+5 degree Master's, Engineer, DESS with a minimum average of 14/20. For human health specialization, applicants must be 35 years old maximum by December 31, 2026, hold a Doctorate or PhD in medicine or pharmacy, and have a minimum average of 14/20. The application deadline is August 30, 2026, and interested candidates can apply online via the UEMOA website ht

The Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières BRVM experienced a significant rise, primarily fueled by the banking sector and the escalating price of cocoa. This economic uplift for the week of June 29 to July 3, 2026, follows a period of robust performance for the BRVM, with previous reports highlighting a record week and solid prospects for investors. The BRVM30 also showed progression in earlier weeks. This positive trend has been observed over several months, with the BRVM consistently remaining in the green. The market has also seen significant activities, including the successful continuity exercise of its activities through its IT backup site, the admission of three Burkina Faso bond issues totaling over 131 billion FCFA, and Senegal raising 416 billion FCFA in a record bond operation. Additionally, Africa50 and the BRVM have partnered to boost infrastructure financing in West Africa, and the 6th edition of the BRVM Awards was celebrated in Cotonou, where the International Bank for Industry and Commerce of Benin BIIC was admitted to the BRVM's listing.

The Cotton and Cashew Council CCA met with CL2D AFRICA and the Agricultural Consortium of Cooperative Societies of Côte d'Ivoire CACC-CI on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau. This meeting established the foundation for a partnership aimed at strengthening the marketing of agricultural products and accelerating local processing within the sector. Gué Simplice, Director of Information Systems, Studies, and Foresight for the Cotton and Cashew Council, expressed the council's commitment to supporting CACC-CI's objectives, particularly in product commercialization. Discussions focused on strategic areas including obtaining necessary approvals for the consortium's activities, possibilities for duty exemptions on productivity-enhancing materials and equipment, and technical support for producers with assistance from development partners, donors, and Ivorian financial institutions. The meeting also marked the official launch of the first phase of the consortium's certification process. This is a prerequisite for implementing an ambitious project to establish processing units across 19 production sites. The goal is to promote local processing of agricultural products, create jobs, and enhance the competitiveness of the Ivorian agricultural sector. This initiative aligns with Côte d'Ivoire's National Development Plan PND, which prioritizes structural economic transformation, industrialization, and strengthening agricultural value chains. It reflects the stakeholders' desire to

TECNO announced on Monday, July 13, 2026, the launch of its new flagship smartphone, the CAMON Slim. Available in over 70 markets globally, the Chinese manufacturer is targeting customers who seek a "style accessory," highlighting the integration of artificial intelligence into its products. The device features a sleek 3D curved unibody chassis, measuring only 6.39 mm thick, and boasts IP69/IP68 water and dust resistance certifications. To differentiate itself, TECNO offers finishes inspired by art history, including a "New Mondrian" version with a photochromic back that reacts to UV rays to display geometric patterns. Other designs draw inspiration from crystalline textures "Prism Black" and "Jungle Green", Vincent Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" "Van Gogh Blue", or combine fiberglass with a matte texture "Burgundy Red". A key technical innovation is the "AI Mood Light" system, located on the back of the device, which comprises 354 mini-LEDs offering 55 customizable lighting effects that respond to events like calls, charging, or gaming. The camera system features a 50-megapixel Sony LYTIA™ 600 main sensor, optimized for night photography. TECNO stated that the CAMON Slim will be "soon available" in the Ivorian market, with specific pricing, exact release date, and available color options for Côte d'Ivoire to be announced in the coming days.

The main market in Bondoukou has been destroyed by fire, according to a report published on Monday, July 13, 2026, by Abidjan.net TV. This incident is part of the "Miscellaneous News and Society 2026" section. No further details regarding the cause of the fire, casualties, or extent of damage were provided in the article.

The first Vibeathon Côte d'Ivoire, an artificial intelligence competition, was held on July 11, 2026, at the Alassane Ouattara Ivorian-Korean ICT Cultural Sports Center in Abidjan-Cocody. The event gathered students, developers, and digital enthusiasts to innovate for a sustainable and inclusive future using AI, focusing on sectors like agriculture, energy, transport, and natural resources. Out of 408 applicants, 100 young talents, forming 20 teams, were selected for the Vibe Coding challenge. Team FOR MIND won first place with "Transit CI," an application connecting formal and informal transportation. CODING TEAM placed second, and AGRI FEDAG took third. Kounandi Stéphane Coulibaly, Director of Innovation, Startups, and Private Sector, representing the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, praised the initiative and encouraged its continuation to develop digital skills among Ivorian youth. He emphasized that the competition provides practical experience and understanding of AI's potential, fostering future startups. The national AI strategy, he noted, focuses on skill development, specialized engineer training, research, innovation structuring, and creating local solutions. Co-organizer Nelly Ossey stated that Vibeathon aims to make AI accessible, enabling young Africans to create solutions adapted to their realities. She highlighted the environmental theme's relevance to Côte d'Ivoire's economy, particularly agriculture. Ossey announced that Vibeathon
Must ReadJude Bellingham scored two goals, including the winner in extra time, to lead England to a 2-1 victory over Norway in the World Cup quarterfinals. The match, played in challenging heat and humidity in Miami, saw Norway take a surprise lead through Andreas Schjelderup. Bellingham, who also scored twice in England's previous match against Mexico, equalized just before halftime. Norway had a second goal controversially disallowed by VAR after an Erling Haaland foul. Bellingham capitalized on an error by goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to score his sixth goal of the tournament, securing England's spot in the semifinals. England will now face either Argentina or Switzerland as they aim for their first World Cup final in 60 years. Haaland's streak of scoring in 14 consecutive official matches for Norway ended, and he was substituted in extra time due to exhaustion. England's manager Thomas Tuchel made tactical substitutions at halftime, bringing on Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, but the team struggled at times in the second half. Norway nearly scored again when Kristoffer Ajer hit the crossbar. Despite the grueling conditions, Bellingham's performance proved decisive for England.
Must ReadDr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Planning and Development, represented Côte d'Ivoire at the 2026 African Economic Conference, held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the African Development Bank headquarters in Abidjan. The conference, co-organized by the African Development Bank Group, the United Nations, UNDP, and the OECD, brings together public decision-makers, international financial institutions, and economists to discuss Africa's economic future. Côte d'Ivoire shared its experience in strategic planning, investment mobilization, and economic transformation through its 2026-2030 National Development Plan. As Governor of the African Development Bank for Côte d'Ivoire, the Minister articulated the government's vision for development based on proactive public policies, sustainable reforms, and a favorable investment climate. This participation underscores Côte d'Ivoire's commitment to contributing to African development policy discussions and sharing its recognized expertise in planning, public policy coordination, and partner mobilization.

Spain's national football team, La Roja, secured a spot in the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a 2-1 victory over Belgium. The match took place on Friday at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood. Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring for Spain in the 30th minute. Belgium's Charles De Ketelaere equalized in the 41st minute, bringing the score to 1-1 before halftime. The second half saw an intense contest between both teams. Mikel Merino scored the winning goal for Spain in the 88th minute, securing their 2-1 triumph. Spain will now face France in the semifinals, who previously defeated Morocco 2-0, for a chance to play in the final.

The Éléphantes of Côte d'Ivoire secured the bronze medal in Division 3 of the Unified Football World Cup on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Paris. They defeated Hong Kong 5-2 at Stade Charléty after being reallocated to Division 3 following the group stage. Following their victory, the team was visited by Didier Drogba, Global Ambassador for Special Olympics. Drogba, the former captain of the Éléphants, addressed the players, stating, "People think that we are the source of inspiration. In reality, it is you who inspire us. Your efforts and your courage give hope to many people. You are worthy ambassadors of Côte d'Ivoire." The exchange, organized by Éric Nelson Monnet, Executive Director of Special Olympics Côte d'Ivoire, included a photo session and Drogba presenting Nike gift vouchers to the entire delegation. The Ivorian delegation is scheduled to participate in the closing ceremony on Saturday, July 11, before returning to Abidjan on Sunday, July 12.

A training program for professional Robusta coffee tasters was officially launched on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the National Center for Agronomic Research CNRA headquarters in Cocody, Abidjan. This initiative, a collaboration between CNRA, the Coffee-Cocoa Council, the International Trade Centre ITC, and the Agency of Robusta Coffees of Africa and Madagascar ACRAM, aims to train about twenty tasters. The six-day training, starting Monday, July 13, 2026, in Bingerville, seeks to enhance the skills of professional tasters to accelerate the valuation of Ivorian coffee in international markets. Coulibaly Ali, representative of the Ivorian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, emphasized that this training is an act of economic justice for producers, ensuring their work is fairly compensated by mastering sensory evaluation. He added that evaluating coffee according to international standards is now a market requirement. Dr. N'Goran Koffi, Deputy Director General of the Coffee-Cocoa Council, highlighted the ambition to build a value-added sector for stakeholders, noting that Ivorian Robusta feeds industries worldwide. Abdourahamane Sangaré, Director General of CNRA, stated that the training is the beginning of a quality process to revive Ivorian coffee. Anselme Gouton, President of ACRAM, welcomed the initiative, stressing the importance for producing countries to assert their global ambitions and position African coffee, known for its aromatic complexity
Must ReadPresident Alassane Ouattara expressed satisfaction with the record financial mobilization of 47,820 billion CFA francs approximately 80 billion US dollars for Côte d'Ivoire's 2026-2030 National Development Plan PND. This amount is about four times the targeted financing of 11,138.2 billion CFA francs. The President made this statement on July 10, 2026, following the Consultative Group meetings held on July 8 and 9, 2026, in Abidjan. Over 2,000 investors from 49 countries, including representatives from financial institutions, investment funds, banks, employer organizations, public and private companies, and development partners, attended the meetings. The PND 2026-2030 aims to "Build a stable, ambitious, and united Great Nation" with a total investment volume of 114,838.5 billion CFA francs approximately 209 billion US dollars over five years. The private sector is expected to contribute 70.2% of this investment. The plan focuses on six priorities: peace, security, and stability; agriculture and agro-industry; private sector development and industrialization; human capital; strategic infrastructure; and good governance and state modernization. Macroeconomic objectives include elevating Côte d'Ivoire to the rank of upper-middle-income economies by 2030, with a GDP per capita of 4,500 US dollars and a poverty rate below 20%. President Ouattara emphasized the state's responsibility to transform these financial commitments into tangible achievements for all Ivorians, including mo
Must ReadFrance has qualified for the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating Morocco 2-0 in the quarter-finals. The match took place on Thursday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston. After a competitive first half, the French team broke the deadlock after the break, securing their spot in the next round.
Must ReadIn the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, France defeated Morocco with a score of 2-0, bringing an end to Morocco's tournament aspirations. This match was highlighted in the "Titrologue" section of Abidjan.net on Friday, July 10, 2026, focusing on sports news and events.
Must ReadOn Thursday, July 9, 2026, Côte d'Ivoire's Vice President, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, held discussions at the Presidential Palace with Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Africa Director, and Zeidane Zeine, Director of the IMF's Africa Department. Both Eziakonwa and Zeine are in Côte d'Ivoire for the Consultative Group of Development Partners for the financing of the National Development Plan PND 2026-2030, which opened the previous day under the Vice President's leadership. Ms. Eziakonwa expressed satisfaction that human development, focusing on youth, women, and employment, is central to the government's approach in the PND 2026-2030. She also welcomed the partnership with the United Nations and UNDP to help Côte d'Ivoire achieve the PND's objectives. Mr. Zeine conveyed his admiration for the success of the Consultative Group, Côte d'Ivoire's excellent economic performance, and the recent conclusion of a new program with the IMF, which included a disbursement. He reaffirmed the unanimous support of the IMF Board of Directors for Côte d'Ivoire in implementing the PND 2026-2030. Emmanuel Ahoutou Koffi, Minister, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, and Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget, also attended the meetings.
Must ReadFrance secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Thursday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. The match remained scoreless until the second half when Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 60th minute. Mbappé's goal came after an earlier penalty attempt was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper. Six minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé doubled France's lead in the 66th minute, solidifying their advantage against a determined but ultimately ineffective Moroccan side. This controlled win advances Didier Deschamps' team in their pursuit of a third World Cup title. France will now face the winner of the quarter-final match between Spain and Belgium, scheduled for Friday.
Must ReadThe Senegalese Constitutional Council has invalidated a bill passed by the National Assembly last week that aimed to revise the balance of powers between the executive and parliament. The law, adopted by a large majority in the parliament dominated by the Pastef party, was deemed "contrary to the Constitution" by the Council. This decision followed a referral by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who had initially expressed an intention to submit the reform to a referendum but ultimately filed an appeal for unconstitutionality due to a violation of the constitutional revision procedure. The invalidated text would have strengthened the powers of the Assembly, led by Ousmane Sonko, and the Prime Minister, while effectively restricting the powers of President Diomaye Faye. The Constitutional Council cited two reasons for its invalidation: the absence of revenue provisions to compensate for the creation of a new constitutional court as stipulated by the law, and the Assembly's failure to adhere to the procedure allowing the government to introduce amendments during the plenary session. This ruling comes amidst months of tensions between President Faye and his former mentor, Ousmane Sonko, who was dismissed as Prime Minister on May 22 but subsequently elected as President of the National Assembly on May 26. The Pastef party, which holds 130 out of 165 seats in the Assembly, initiated the bill on May 29, stating its aim was to achieve a "better rebalancing of prerogatives" among Sene

The fourth edition of the Marielordivoire International Trophies MLDI, an event promoting Ivorian excellence, intercultural dialogue, and international cooperation, is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Grand Hotel Oslo in Norway. This edition, organized by the Nordic African Business Council and the Mutuelle des Familles des Diasporas Ivoiriennes, aims to strengthen relations between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway, and foster cooperation opportunities between Nordic countries and Africa. Fifteen new laureates will be honored for their achievements and contributions to Côte d'Ivoire's development and international standing. These individuals will join the MLDI Ambassadors community, a network embodying values of excellence, commitment, merit, and transmission. A gala dinner will gather approximately 150 guests, including diplomatic, institutional, economic, and cultural figures, academic representatives, international partners, and members of the Ivorian diaspora from various countries. MLDI, established in 2022, is a traveling international event that highlights Côte d'Ivoire and the excellent achievements of its diaspora. Previous editions were held in Paris 2022, Brussels 2023, and Milan 2024. The event celebrates individuals from diverse sectors such as entrepreneurship, research, health, arts, culture, education, media, institutions, sports, and innovation, who contribute to Côte d'Ivoire's global influence.

The International Audiovisual Content Exhibition of Abidjan SICA officially launched its 2026 talent development initiatives on Wednesday, July 8, at Latrille Events in Cocody. The ceremony brought together public authorities, audiovisual professionals, partners, and cultural and creative industry stakeholders. SICA 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 26 to 28, 2026, in Abidjan. Konaté Oumar, the General Commissioner of SICA, stated that this fourth edition marks a new phase in structuring the Ivorian and African audiovisual industry. He emphasized SICA's goal to support creators beyond awards by offering mentorship, funding, co-production opportunities, and access to international markets. Oumar highlighted the importance of professionals producing content that meets international standards to enhance the competitiveness of African audiovisual content. Meïté Sindou, the Director General of the Agency for Media Support and Development ASDM, noted that previous editions revealed a need for better support for project leaders. He announced a reform of the system to professionalize creators and improve project monitoring. A significant announcement for this edition is the increase in the budget for talent development, which has risen from 80 to 100 million FCFA, following instructions from the Minister of Communication. SICA organizers aim to make this platform a catalyst for the development of the audiovisual industry and the promotion of African talent.
Must ReadThe quarterfinals of the World Cup are set to begin on Thursday, July 9, 2026. One of the highly anticipated matches will see Morocco face off against France. This comes after other significant football news, including Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from the World Cup and Roberto Martinez's resignation on July 7, 2026. Additionally, Spain eliminated Portugal with a 1-0 victory on July 7, 2026. In other news, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane led England to a 3-2 victory over Mexico, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.

The Banque Nationale d'Investissement BNI reaffirmed its central role in financing the Ivorian economy during the presentation activities of the National Development Program PND 2026-2030. The event took place on July 8, 2026, at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan. Mr. Ouattara, an official from the banking institution, highlighted BNI's strategic positioning, stating that it aims to be a major player and a key partner for businesses and project initiators in Côte d'Ivoire. As a bank with majority public ownership, BNI naturally aligns with the state's initiatives, including the PND 2026-2030, which has an estimated budget of over 114,000 billion FCFA. This program offers significant opportunities for local businesses and allows BNI to strengthen its portfolio in key sectors such as mining, agro-industry, and projects with strong social and environmental impact. The BNI stand at the event attracted diverse visitors, including students seeking information on banking and private sector actors looking for financing solutions. Mme Coulibaly Audrey, customer service manager for individuals at the Joseph Anoma main branch, noted that students were interested in banking basics and career opportunities, while entrepreneurs focused on financial support mechanisms, particularly for public contracts related to the PND. BNI intends to act as a facilitator, providing economic operators with the tools needed to access financing and actively participate in Côte d'Ivoire's structural transf
Must ReadCôte d'Ivoire's Vice President, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, announced that development partners have pledged 47.82 trillion FCFA 80 billion US dollars in financial commitments for the 2026-2030 National Development Plan PND. This figure, revealed at the close of the first day of the Consultative Group meeting on July 8, 2026, in Abidjan, is approximately four times the initial funding sought. Koné expressed the Ivorian state's gratitude on behalf of President Alassane Ouattara, highlighting the remarkable level of commitment as a strong endorsement of Côte d'Ivoire's development priorities, economic trajectory, solid fundamentals, and credible development prospects. He emphasized that these pledges also affirm the quality of partnerships with multilateral institutions, bilateral partners, financial institutions, private investors, and other development actors. Koné stressed the collective responsibility to translate these announcements into effective commitments and concrete projects to achieve the PND's goals in growth, employment, industrialization, human capital development, infrastructure, social inclusion, and improved living conditions. The government will work to create favorable conditions for implementation by improving the business environment, strengthening project preparation, ensuring efficient execution, and consolidating monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Dialogue with partners will continue transparently, responsibly, and with mutual trust.

Ivorian youth leader Hugues Kouamé Yao is a candidate for the Pan-African Youth Parliament for Democracy, an initiative bringing together representatives from several West African countries. As the sole Ivorian candidate, competing against individuals from Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, and Ghana, he aims to advocate for young people, particularly those in rural communities, on issues of peace, democracy, and inclusive governance. Yao's motivation stems from a desire to ensure the voices of young people, especially those in West African rural communities who are often underrepresented in decision-making spaces, are heard. He stated, "I wish to promote peace, democracy, civic participation, and inclusive youth leadership. Joining this Parliament is an opportunity for me to transform the concerns of young people into concrete proposals and contribute to the development of our continent." A former student of Lycée municipal Djibo Sounkalo in Bouaké and currently a history student at Alassane Ouattara University in Bouaké, Yao plans, if elected, to conduct awareness campaigns on peace, democracy, and citizenship in rural communities. He also intends to establish a listening network to gather youth concerns and translate them into proposals for decision-makers. Furthermore, the candidate seeks to strengthen young people's leadership skills and participation in public decisions, fostering closer ties between institutions and youth to promote more inclusive and equitable gove

Switzerland defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout in Vancouver on Tuesday during the 2026 World Cup round of 16, after a 0-0 draw. The Swiss will now advance to face reigning champions Argentina in the quarterfinals. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was instrumental in the shootout, saving a shot from Cucho Hernandez, before Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty for Switzerland. This marks Switzerland's first time reaching the World Cup quarterfinals since 1954. Their match against Argentina is scheduled for Saturday in Kansas City.