Drogba Buys 5% Stake In Ivorian Gold Mine

Didier Drogba (left) signing the gold mine purchase documents next to Cote d’Ivoire’s Economy and Finance junior minister Niale Kaba (centre) and Ivorian Budget junior minister Abdourahmane Cisse.

Ivorian soccer legend and former striker for London’s Chelsea, Didier Drogba, has bought a five per cent stake in the country’s largest gold mining company, say local press reports. 

According to the media reports carried on Friday, Drogba reportedly paid $74 million to acquire part of the state’s holding in the company. 

This sale is part of the government’s plan to offload 10 per cent of its stake to private investors. The Ivorian government had encouraged the football star to purchase the shares.

President Alassane Ouattara congratulated the star for purchasing the stake, which is up to half of the shares set aside for local private investors.