Economy

Bitter Harvest: Cocoa Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire Confront Falling Prices

In the humid lowlands of Côte d’Ivoire, the scent of fermenting cocoa beans hangs in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Under the shade of towering cacao trees,...

Economic Growth in Burundi — Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

In the highland nation of Burundi, economic ambition exists alongside deep-seated structural challenges. Landlocked and densely populated, the East African country relies heavily on agriculture, yet faces persistent hurdles that have constrained consistent...

Bitter Harvest: Cocoa Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire Confront Falling Prices

In the humid lowlands of Côte d’Ivoire, the scent of fermenting cocoa beans hangs in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Under the shade of towering cacao trees, farmers move with deliberate precision, splitting pods to reveal the pale, sticky beans within—a process honed over generations. Yet behind this timeless ritual, a growing unease is taking root. Global cocoa prices have been sliding, and for the smallholder farmers who produce much of the world’s supply, the decline threatens more than just profits. Côte d’Ivoire, alongside Ghana, accounts for over 60 percent of global cocoa production, and the livelihoods of millions are intertwined with the volatile...

Angola’s Economic Crossroads: Reform, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

By Robert Stales In the wake of decades defined by oil wealth and its volatile cycles, Angola is attempting one of the most ambitious economic...

Bitter Harvest: Cocoa Farmers in Côte d’Ivoire Confront Falling Prices

In the humid lowlands of Côte d’Ivoire, the scent of fermenting cocoa beans hangs in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Under the shade of towering cacao trees, farmers...

Cabo Verde Takes Strategic Steps to Strengthen Fiscal Sustainability and Create Fiscal Space

PRAIA  – The Government of Cabo Verde (GoCV) is undertaking a series of reforms to strengthen fiscal sustainability and accelerate inclusive economic growth. According to the new Public Finance Review (PFR) released today by the World Bank, securing these reforms requires a more efficient fiscal policy that enhances domestic revenue mobilization and improves the quality of public spending.  The report, titled “Enhancing Fiscal Sustainability in the Face of Shocks,” analyzes the performance of public finances between 2019 and 2023,...

Cultural Tourism Fuels Djibouti’s Economic Growth

In the narrow lanes of Djibouti City’s central market, merchants call out over the din, their stalls stacked with fragrant spices, handwoven baskets, and bright textiles. Beyond the capital, the wind sweeps across...

Angola’s Economic Crossroads: Reform, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

By Robert Stales In the wake of decades defined by oil wealth and its volatile cycles, Angola is attempting one...

Economic Growth in Burundi — Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

In the highland nation of Burundi, economic ambition exists alongside deep-seated structural challenges. Landlocked and densely populated, the East African country relies heavily on agriculture, yet faces persistent hurdles that have constrained consistent...