France, May 30 -- After seven years in development, Cote d'Ivoire has launched West Africa's first agricultural commodities exchange- the Bourse des Matieres Premieres AgricolesorBMPA.

Officially opened on Wednesday 28 May in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan, the exchange began formal trading on Friday, with the aim of bringing transparency, structure, and improved income to the region's agricultural producers.

The exchange's symbolic launch was swift and promising: in just ten minutes, 89 tonnes of goods were traded, valued at nearly 31 million CFA francs - just under €50,000.

For now, the platform lists three key products-raw cashew nuts, cola nuts, and maize- chosen for their strategic importance to the national economy. ...