Alliance calls for continental cocoa bloc as smallholder farmers face unstable prices and limited share of global chocolate revenue

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COCEFAAA) has demanded a $6,000 per tonne price floor for cocoa exports, calling for a pan-African approach to protect smallholder farmers from global market shocks. This call was made after the 7th Steering Committee Meeting of the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday.

COCEFAAA Global President, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, commended Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara for championing producer-country interests. Adegoke however stressed that bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire must evolve into a continent-wide structure if African cocoa farmers are to benefit meaningfully from the value chain. He argued that limiting collaboration to two countries leaves millions of smallholders across Africa exposed to volatile international prices.

The alliance highlighted that Africa, which produces over 70 percent of the world’s cocoa beans, receives only about six percent of the $100 billion global chocolate industry’s value. According to COCEFAAA, this persistent imbalance keeps African economies in a ‘value trap,’ exporting raw materials instead of processed goods. The group insisted that setting a $6,000 price floor would secure fairer returns for producers and stabilise incomes in major cocoa-producing countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

Adegoke stated: “We urge African leaders to adopt a unified stance on cocoa pricing to end decades of exploitation by international buyers. Only through continental solidarity can we change the narrative for our farmers.” He further called on governments to invest in local processing industries so more value is retained within Africa. However, industry stakeholders warn that raising prices without coordinated action could trigger market backlash or push buyers towards alternative sources.

COCEFAAA concluded by urging policymakers across West and Central Africa to form a continental cocoa bloc aimed at negotiating better terms with multinational companies. The group emphasised that such collective action would not only improve livelihoods but also contribute significantly to economic diversification efforts on the continent.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/agro-care/cocoa-alliance-demands-6000-price-floor-continental-bloc-against-africas-6-value-trap/

Top Nigerian artistes drop fresh singles this week, sparking renewed interest in cross-border collaborations and genre blending

Lagos witnessed a major influx of new music this week as prominent artistes including Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Falz, Zlatan and others released highly anticipated singles on Friday, 19 June 2026. The week’s releases highlighted Afrobeats’ continued influence, with multiple collaborations bridging regions and genres.

Yemi Alade teamed up with Kenyan singer Bien to deliver “Don’t Be Shy,” a track that marries West African rhythms with East African vocal stylings. The single has already gained traction among fans for its blend of signature Alade energy and Bien’s melodic input.

Wizkid made a notable appearance on Chris Brown’s deluxe album ‘BROWN (The Chocolate Edition)’ with “Man on a Mission,” a song that merges R&B harmonies and West African percussion. Industry observers say Wizkid’s contribution demonstrates the increasing global demand for Afrobeats elements in international pop music.

Other notable releases include Skales’ “Joanna” featuring French rapper Elams, which leans into Afro-fusion with European undertones, while L.A.X collaborated with Tml Vibez on “MAGAA,” delivering street-pop infused with fuji influences. Falz returned to his trademark Afro-rap sound on “Ole,” focusing on social commentary through witty lyricism.

Zlatan and Hotkeed’s dance-ready anthem “Baba” stands out for its infectious energy, and Spyro dropped “Unavailable” produced by Krizbeatz, settling into a mellow Afropop groove. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning producer Daramola unveiled “Gidi 2 Caracas (La Música)” as the lead single from his debut album ‘Le Di Sentido,’ featuring Venezuelan group Rawayana.

Music critics note that this week’s releases reflect the growing appetite for collaborations across Africa and beyond. “The fusion of sounds is what keeps Afrobeats fresh globally,” one Lagos-based producer commented. Fans have taken to social media to express excitement over the diversity in tempo and style across the new tracks.

With these fresh offerings dominating playlists in Lagos and other Nigerian cities, industry analysts expect increased streaming numbers and radio airplay in the coming weeks. Artistes are also expected to intensify promotional campaigns as summer music festivals approach.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/new-music-friday-wizkid-solana-daramola-2026061910360485036

NPF-NCCC recovers nearly ₦90m, real estate and vehicle; telecom firm reverses ₦3.8bn in stolen data

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have dismantled a major syndicate accused of orchestrating a ₦7.7 billion telecom data fraud across Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states. The arrests, announced on Thursday, followed coordinated raids in May 2026 after a leading telecommunications company reported unauthorised access to its network.

According to the NPF-NCCC spokesperson, DSP Unwana Imah, the investigation began when staff login credentials were compromised, allowing both insider and external actors to illegally access the company’s billing platform between 1 October and 28 November 2024. The suspects allegedly generated fraudulent airtime which was later converted to data bundles and sold nationwide through an extensive vendor network.

The police said over 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones and several POS machines were seized during raids in the three states. Asset tracing led to the recovery of nearly ₦90 million in cash, two residential houses in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 — all believed to have been purchased with proceeds of the crime. The telecommunications company was able to reverse about 2,931.79 terabytes of stolen data valued at approximately ₦3.8 billion.

Key suspects arrested include Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed, along with Musa Hassan Mohammed (an IT specialist), Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu — all of whom are believed by investigators to have played significant roles or benefited from the scheme. “In the course of the investigation, several suspects were arrested and over 400 laptops, 1,000 mobile phones, POS machines, cash exhibits and other evidential materials were recovered,” Imah said in a statement.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu reaffirmed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure while urging members of the public with useful information to support ongoing investigations through NPF-NCCC channels. The police added that efforts are ongoing to trace additional assets linked to the syndicate and ensure prosecution of all those involved. Cybercrime targeting telecoms has become a growing concern for operators nationwide as they invest more in cybersecurity measures.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/police-arrest-suspects-in-naira77bn-telecom-data-fraud-recover-houses-cash-and-vehicle-2026061911021053617