Ivory Coast

The New Guard
Kenya, Morocco, Ivory Coast

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

KenyaDeraso Dokhole, defender of refugees

MoroccoYoussef Agoumi, leading figure in cybersecurity

Ivory CoastKimany Tayoro, up-and-coming Abidjan influencer

Ivorian justice investigating Ping brothers

A-One Technology, the group founded by Franck and Jean-François Ping, is at the centre of an inquiry by the Ivorian judiciary for "unfair competition" and "use of fraudulent information". It follows a complaint from the Ivorian group Impact Palmarès R&D.

Abidjan to acquire three Thales military radars

The Ivorian army is due to take delivery of a first Ground Master 200 radar by March. Abidjan plans to order three in total from the French group.

Heineken tops up its share of Brassivoire

Against a backdrop of differing views, the French-Japanese group CFAO has reduced its shares in the joint venture it formed with Heineken for the management of the Ivory Coast firm. This move puts the Dutch brewer in a strong position.

Ouattara has discreet dinner with Macron in Paris

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara was discreetly received for dinner by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on 30 January. This private meeting was not on Macron's official agenda.

Tullow Oil may jettison assets to steady the ship

It is shaping up to be a decisive year for the British junior, which is set to sell off various assets to reduce its substantial debts.

Abidjan removes JP Morgan from fund-raising round

The US bank JP Morgan had been selected to support the Ivorian government in a syndicated loan estimated at €800m. In the end, however, it was judged to be too expensive.

Inner Circle
Banker Ibrahim Magassa dispenses financial advice from Abidjan to Brazzaville

At the comparatively young age of 44, the French-Ivorian banker has established himself as a leading adviser to indebted states, initially to Ivory Coast and then to Congo and Ghana. He can rely on a solid network of contacts in Paris, not least at the investment bank Rothschild.

Ouattara to dine with Macron at Élysée Palace on 1 February

The Ivorian and French presidents will dine together at the Élysée Palace on 1 February. On the agenda of this luncheon is the handover of the base housing the French forces stationed in Ivory Coast and possibly this year's presidential election.

Macron's Africa envoy Jean-Marie Bockel expected in London

He will be presenting France's vision for its future military presence in Africa to the British government.

Tycoon Tiemtoré fails in bid to buy Novamed hospital group

Lilium Capital, headed by Burkina Faso businessman Simon Tiemtoré, failed to convince Novamed's co-founders that it had sufficient financial backing.

Israel limits military equipment sales to Abidjan

Israel's Ministry of Defence is restricting the export of military equipment to Ivory Coast, fearing the presidential vote later this year could lead to political instability.

Cost of new African Development Bank HQ revealed

The African Development Bank's old premises in Abidjan will be demolished to make way for new ultra-modern buildings. According to estimates, they will cost $700m.

Entrepreneur Yaya Sylla launches AI and defence fair

At the end of February, Abidjan will host an event devoted to defence, space and cybersecurity. It is spearheaded by Ivorian businessman Yaya Sylla, who has invested in Prométhée Earth Intelligence, a French company that hopes to capitalise on the event.

Viviane Bakayoko-Diarrassouba to assume AmCham presidency

The managing director of Citibank in Ivory Coast is set to take over as head of the American Chamber of Commerce in the country. She would succeed Yohannes Mekbebe, who does not wish to stand for re-election.

Paris and Abidjan speed up handover of French military base

The barracks housing the French forces stationed in Abidjan are due to be officially handed back to Ivory Coast on 22 January. President Alassane Ouattara is also due to meet his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris this month.