Simon Essah walks through his cocoa farm in southwest Ghana, pointing to trees scarred by black pod disease, the latest in a series of threats plaguing his crop this year.

The World Bank approved an $875 million loan for Ivory Coast to support economic growth and job creation, and signed an interim deal with Eni SpA’s local unit and the West African nation to provide technical assistance for its burgeoning gas sector.

Ivory Coast’s growth is set to ease as rising import costs widen its external deficit, testing the economy just as the country exits a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund facility.

Gabon began auditing its public debt to establish which obligations should be formally recognised, as the central African nation seeks a new International Monetary Fund program.

Gabon began auditing its public debt to establish which obligations should be formally recognised, as the central African nation seeks a new International Monetary Fund program.

Ivory Coast is considering quarterly reviews of its domestic cocoa price as it looks to adjust to the huge slump in the international market and keep its beans competitive.

Just three months after its inaugural eurobond sale, the Republic of Congo has returned to the market, seeking to take advantage of lower borrowing costs to buy back some of the debut issuance.

Cocoa traders in top grower Ivory Coast are holding off buying beans that will be harvested from the upcoming mid-crop, as they seek lower prices following a market rout, according to people familiar with the matter.

Gabon’s government is in negotiations with the World Bank for a $500 million loan to support the economy, according to people familiar with the matter.

Ivory Coast is facing a temporary glut of cocoa at its ports as farmers rush to find buyers due to falling international prices and a cash crunch affecting local exporters.