A week of intense Italian economic and commercial promotion in Côte d’Ivoire has just concluded in Abidjan. The initiative brought together, in a coordinated and synergistic manner, all the main institutions of the Italian System, working in close collaboration with—and under the coordination of—the Embassy of Italy in Abidjan, alongside strong engagement from the Ivorian authorities. The week represented a moment of high visibility for the growing Italian presence in Côte d’Ivoire.
The economic diplomacy week opened on 14 October with a full day dedicated to two Business Matching meetings organized by SACE in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Abidjan, which saw a particularly large participation of Italian companies. The morning session focused on discussions with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Road Maintenance, while in the afternoon companies met with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, in the presence of the Deputy Minister in charge of Food Production and the Deputy Director General of ADERIZ, the State Agency responsible for developing the rice value chain.
These meetings, fully aligned with SACE’s Push Strategy, helped to strengthen an already solid dialogue between Ivorian institutions and the Italian private sector. Discussions focused on projects considered priorities by the relevant ministries, with the aim of identifying the most urgent needs of local authorities and exploring investment opportunities for Italian companies. Participating firms were also able to showcase their technological and industrial expertise, presenting concrete solutions to the country’s needs and further reinforcing the already positive perception of Italian know‑how.
On 15 October, Abidjan hosted the 1st Edition of the Côte d’Ivoire Investment Forum, organized by The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA), one of the central events of the economic diplomacy week. The Forum was held under the High Patronage of the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé, represented by the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nialé Kaba, underscoring the importance the Ivorian Government attaches to its partnership with Italy.
The event also featured interventions by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production, Bruno Nabagné Koné. During the Forum, the “Tableau de Bord of Côte d’Ivoire’s Attractiveness” was presented—an innovative and practical tool designed to help Italian investors identify the country’s strengths, structural needs, and priority sectors for investment, including in synergy with Italian, European, and multilateral cooperation initiatives.
Côte d’Ivoire’s selection as a priority country is based on solid fundamentals: economic growth above 6% annually for over a decade, low deficit and public debt levels below UEMOA thresholds, long‑standing political stability, and a “low” debt‑risk classification, unique on the African continent. The most promising sectors for Italian companies include agribusiness, energy and infrastructure, digital, mobility (including lagoon transport), blue economy, and water management.
The strong trade exchange between Italy and Côte d’Ivoire—over 800 million euros in 2025, up 11% from the previous year—demonstrates the complementarity of the two economies. As Minister Tajani stated in his opening message to the Forum, “we want to do more and better,” and in particular “build stronger, more sustainable value chains capable of generating growth, jobs, and prosperity in local communities.”
In the afternoon, the Italian delegation was received by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, who expressed his personal appreciation—and that of President Alassane Ouattara—for the success of the event, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Italy. The Italian side was represented by the Ambassador of Italy to Côte d’Ivoire, Roberta Di Lecce, the Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Min. Plen. Massimo Riccardo, the Director for Sub‑Saharan Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Min. Plen. Stefano De Leo, and Counsellor Fabio Massimo Ballerini, from the Mission Structure for the implementation of the Mattei Plan at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Also on the afternoon of 15 October, a technical seminar curated by CDP was held, dedicated to procurement opportunities within Italy’s development cooperation projects. The seminar illustrated the tools available to Italian companies to participate in initiatives financed by Italy, further strengthening the private sector’s ability to engage in Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic projects.
The week concluded on 16 October with the hybrid event launching the new online Business Matching platform promoted by CDP, designed to facilitate connections between Italian and Ivorian companies and foster the creation of industrial and commercial partnerships. This innovative tool fits within the broader commitment of the Italian System to support companies entering a rapidly growing market.
Côte d’Ivoire is indeed a strategic partner for Italy and a gateway to West Africa, destined to play an even more central role with the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In this context, Italian companies can rely on the coordinated support of the Italian System (AICS, ITA – Italian Trade Agency, CDP, SACE, and SIMEST), working closely with the Embassy of Italy in Abidjan. The growing Italian participation in economic events in Côte d’Ivoire—such as the presence of over 20 Italian companies at the Agro‑Food and Packaging Fair held from 8 to 10 October—confirms Italy’s interest in a dynamic and highly promising market.
