The Latest Breaking News from West Africa

Is the Cocoa Rally Over?

Cocoa prices soared in 2024, reaching twice the pre-2024 record high. West African weather caused cocoa bean shortages, lifting prices into the stratosphere. As the cocoa market moves towards the end of 2024, prices remain elevated but have retreated from record levels.

Barchart · Nov 15, 2024

Cocoa Prices Surge on Weather Woes in West Africa

December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ24 ) Wednesday closed up +296 (+3.76%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ24 ) closed up +260 (+4.16%). Cocoa prices today extended this week's sharp rally, with NY cocoa posting a 7-week high and London cocoa posting a 3-month high. Adverse weather in West Africa...

Barchart · Nov 13, 2024

Cocoa Prices Soar as Adverse Ivory Coast Weather Poses a Threat to Cocoa Output

December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ24 ) today is up +2426 (+3.08%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ24 ) is up +208 (+3.33%). Cocoa prices today extended this week's sharp rally, with NY cocoa posting a 7-week high and London cocoa posting a 3-month high. Adverse weather in West Africa...

Barchart · Nov 13, 2024

Cocoa Prices Surge on Dollar Weakness and West African Crop Concerns

December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ24 ) today is up +436 (+6.30%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ24 ) is up +336 (+6.11%). Cocoa prices today rallied sharply as a decline in the dollar sparked short covering in cocoa futures. Also, comments today from the CEO of Barry Callebaut, one...

Barchart · Nov 7, 2024

Suspected Lassa Fever Death In Iowa: Know Symptoms, Complications Of Rare Viral Infection

The middle-aged eastern Iowa resident is believed to have contracted the infection after returning from travel to West Africa early this month.

Medical Daily · Oct 29, 2024

Iowa Resident's Death Investigated As Suspected Lassa Fever Case

Investigation into suspected Lassa fever case in Iowa after West Africa travel. Learn about symptoms, transmission, and prevention efforts.

Top News · Oct 29, 2024

Civilian support for military coups isn’t a bug – it’s a feature

In September 2024, authorities in Benin detained the country’s former sports minister and a prominent businessman for allegedly plotting a coup against the West African nation’s president, Patrice Talon. Had a putsch materialized, Benin would have joined a growing list of African countries to have experienced a military coup over…

The Conversation · Oct 22, 2024

Cote d'Ivoire has lost 'nearly 80 percent of its forest and wildlife cover'

How can we protect wild animals when the world's forest cover continues to shrink? This is just one of the many issues under discussion at the Cop16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia. In West Africa, certain emblematic species such as the elephant are at risk of extinction. The head of…

Radio France Internationale · Oct 21, 2024

Ghana grapples with crisis caused by world's throwaway fashion

This week's podcast focuses on textile waste from fast fashion. As cheap clothes from China, Asia and Europe increasingly end up in West Africa, pollution is rising – particularly in Ghana. RFI spoke to Greenpeace Africa investigators to understand the scale of the issue and how to combat it.

Radio France Internationale · Oct 18, 2024

Cocoa Prices Surge as Rain Delays West African Cocoa Harvest

December ICE NY cocoa (CCZ24 ) Tuesday closed up +327 (+4.29%), and December ICE London cocoa #7 (CAZ24 ) closed up +149 (+2.64%). Cocoa prices Tuesday settled sharply higher, with NY cocoa posting a 2-week high. Cocoa prices are climbing as heavy rain in West Africa has caused flooding and...

Barchart · Oct 15, 2024