Football star Didier Drogba has taken a move out of the pitch and into the boardroom, purchasing a stake in a gold mine located in his home country of the Ivory Coast. This is also a major commitment on his part to help in the recovery of his country that is now recovering after a ten years of civil strife culminating in a war in 2011.

The former Chelsea Blues star in the English Premiere League is now playing for Turkish club Galatasaray. It was during his time at Chelsea where Drogba's star shine brightest for eight years culminating in Champion's League win for the English team against Bayern Munich.

Drogba's investment amounts to 5% of the mine, according to the Ivory Coast Communications Minister Bruno Kone. No details were announced as to the deal, which is part of a larger deal where a Canadian firm expanding its shareholdings in the Ity gold mine. The stake would come from the state owned mining firm Sodemi.

Drogba is considered as a national hero back in the Ivory Coast. He has also garnered recognition for his humanitarian work, such as his personal efforts to promote peace and reconciliation after years of turmoil and division between the north's rebels and the government loyalists of the southern region.