Joël Té-Léssia Assoko | Semafor

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Intelligence for the New World Economy

D.C.
BXL
Lagos

Riyadh
Beijing
SG

Intelligence for the New World Economy

Semafor World Economy

Joël Té-Léssia Assoko

Joël Té-Léssia Assoko

Joël Té-Léssia Assoko is a veteran reporter and editor covering African markets, He’s the co-founder of the think-tank l’Afrique des Idées. A national of Côte d’Ivoire and France, he grew up in Senegal.

DR Congo’s new central bank governor is a presidential insider

DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi named his deputy chief of staff for economic affairs as the central bank chief.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi.

Côte d’Ivoire’s Ouattara anchors fourth presidential bid to economic growth

President Alassane Ouattara, 83, argues that only experience can push the country to upper middle-income status.

Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara arrives to attend the congress of his ruling party in Anyama.

Senegal’s power struggle deepens debt crisis

A rift within Senegal’s government could plunge the West African nation’s already beleaguered economy into further disarray.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye (left) and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

Côte d’Ivoire’s election power scramble gains momentum

A meeting between ruling party leaders and a prominent opposition candidate is being closely watched in the Francophone economy.

Simone Gbagbo, former First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire and president of the Mouvement des Generations Capable, greets her supporters at a rally in Abidjan on July 5, 2025.

Ex-Credit Suisse boss election block could hurt Ivorian businesses

Tidjane Thiam was disqualified last month from running in October’s presidential election.

Supporters of the PDCI (Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire) protest against the decision to remove their leader Tidjane Thiam from the electoral list at their headquarters in Abidjan on April 24, 2025.

Analysis: There are no shortcuts in Africa’s battle for productivity

To win the war against poverty in Africa we have to win the battle to raise productivity.

Workers in Ghana sew fabric at a DTRT apparel factory.

Mining companies turn to arbitration over West African disputes

Canadian miner Barrick Gold, Australian gold explorer Sarama Resources, and French uranium giant Orano are among those that have launched arbitration proceedings in the Sahel.

Senegal’s Faye faces parliamentary election challenge

Senegal’s president hoped dissolving Parliament and calling a legislative election would shore up his power among lawmakers, but it could backfire.

Senegal urged to avoid opaque oil contract renegotiations

Senegal’s prime minister is leading a committee that will review the country’s oil and gas contracts to “rebalance” them in the national interest.

Burkina Faso jihadist attacks expose junta’s fragility

The country’s military government is responding with increasingly authoritarian measures.

Mali, Niger cut ties with Ukraine over Russian attack

The military juntas of Mali and Niger have each cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine, determining Kyiv was involved in an operation supporting Tuareg rebels.