Category Archives: Economics

A long complicated story told for no particular reason

Posted on July 20, 2018 by admin

Let me tell you the story of Edith, a woman in her late 30s who is a friend of my wife. The first time I met my wife, Edith was there. She was also there at our first meet-up after … Continue reading →

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Cocoa ramblings

Posted on April 28, 2017 by admin

The dust hasn’t quite settled, but it has certainly been an interesting season for cocoa in Cote d’Ivoire. Even just looking at the last few days we’ve seen the death of former all-powerful cocoa baron Henri Amazou, ex-boss of the … Continue reading →

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Boulevard VGE

Posted on March 5, 2017 by admin

I was a little taken aback yesterday reading in Fraternite Matin an interview with the architect of the new Azalai hotel in Abidjan, Ibrahima Konare, saying: “Personally, I consider the Boulevard Giscard d’Estaing as one of the most beautiful in … Continue reading →

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BRVM update and other economic notes

Posted on January 31, 2017 by admin

Twelve months ago, I announced the end to my series of annual posts focusing on investments on the Abidjan-based stock exchange. The posts seemed to be getting very similar – double digit growth reported, all in the (relative) safety of … Continue reading →

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Seeing Abidjan with Freetown eyes

Posted on October 16, 2016 by admin

I’ve written a couple of blog posts in the past comparing Abidjan and Freetown (post1, post2). Travelling between two such cities would be an effective antidote for anyone who thinks you can treat African countries and cities as being basically … Continue reading →

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My ex-neighbourhood – Cocody Danga

Posted on October 2, 2016 by admin

Last month I spent just over two weeks in Abidjan for the happy arrival of our new son Joshua. I hope to pen a few blog posts from the visit, but as a start, let me try and ramble a … Continue reading →

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Blogging on the Abidjan stock exchange

Posted on February 27, 2016 by admin

For those who read French, Okibata.com has made a welcome return to the West African blogosphere in the last few months. The website author, Euclide (whose birthday it happens to be today), has probably done more than anyone else to … Continue reading →

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Ivory Coast and Ghana

Posted on February 21, 2016 by admin

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but isn’t it intriguing that West African neighbours Ghana and Ivory Coast share so much in common, including a long border, but seem to be on such differing economic trajectories? I’ve just been reading an … Continue reading →

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Headwinds ahead

Posted on January 24, 2016 by admin

I’m lucky enough to have institutional access to Africa Confidential, and the latest edition of the newsletter makes for rather depressing reading. Economic headwinds ahead for Africa include a strong dollar, greater competition for the attention of western investors, troubles … Continue reading →

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Ivory Coast – African country of the year 2015?

Posted on December 29, 2015 by admin

This post is both spurious and speculative, but if you had to select an ‘African country of the year’ in 2015, I would reckon Ivory Coast / Cote d’Ivoire must be in with a fighting chance. Not that I follow … Continue reading →

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