Development Cooperation
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the priority countries for the Italian Development Cooperation, as indicated in the 2024–2026 Three-Year Programming and Policy Document. It has also been identified as a pilot country for the Mattei Plan for Africa, the new strategy launched by the Italian Government to strengthen partnerships with African countries through concrete initiatives in education, health, agri-food systems, digital transition, and environmental sustainability. Within this framework, Italian Cooperation has intensified its presence in Côte d’Ivoire in recent years, working in close coordination with local authorities to contribute to inclusive and sustainable development and to foster the growth of the country’s human and social capital.
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is the main operational instrument of this commitment. To reinforce its presence on the ground, an integrated Cooperation Office was recently opened in Abidjan, enabling more direct management of programmes and continuous dialogue with Ivorian institutions, civil society, and international partners. The opening of the Office confirms Italy’s intention to consolidate its engagement in a country considered strategic for stability and growth in West Africa.
Priority areas of intervention reflect the guidelines of both the Mattei Plan and the Programming Document. In the education sector, Italy supports programmes aimed at improving primary and secondary education through the rehabilitation of school infrastructure, teacher training, and the protection of vulnerable children. In the health sector, Italian Cooperation contributes to strengthening basic services and maternal and child health, with a broad support programme for the national health system that includes, among other things, the expansion of the Abobo hospital in Abidjan, support for the faith-based health network (URSSCI), and training for medical and nursing staff.
Another key focus is agri-food and food security, where Italy supports the enhancement of local agricultural value chains (rice, maize, legumes, mango), promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, and encourages collaboration among institutions, businesses, and local communities to improve productivity and reduce food insecurity. At the same time, initiatives are being launched in digitalisation and vocational training, with the goal of developing skills suited to the labour market and supporting the country’s technological transition.
Alongside initiatives directly managed by AICS, Italian Civil Society Organisations contribute actively in Côte d’Ivoire through projects in education, child protection, and healthcare, reinforcing the proximity and social inclusion dimension of Italy’s engagement. Financial instruments such as Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and SACE complement this framework by supporting investments and public-private partnerships aligned with the priorities of the Mattei Plan.
Overall, Italian Cooperation in Côte d’Ivoire is characterised by an integrated approach that combines social interventions, support for essential services, and the promotion of economic opportunities. The objective is to accompany the country’s growth through high-impact social initiatives capable of strengthening local institutions and fostering sustainable and inclusive development, in line with national Ivorian strategies and the United Nations 2030 Agenda.