Abidjan hosts Pan-African conference on professional equality and economic inclusion
via Abidjan.net10 min read
Public actors, businesses, and international partners are gathered in Abidjan from April 15 to 17, 2026, for the Pan-African Conference on Professional Equality. Organized by GIZ and its partners, the event aims to translate commitments into concrete actions for economic inclusion and business performance across Africa. The conference, co-hosted by CGECI, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of C么te d'Ivoire, and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, brings together 100 to 150 participants from various African and European countries. A key initiative highlighted is the ProFemme project, launched in January 2025 by German cooperation, which focuses on strengthening women's economic empowerment in C么te d'Ivoire through public policy integration of gender, improved services for female entrepreneurship, enhanced female salaried employment, and promotion of decent working conditions. Kirsten H茅l猫ne, GIZ resident director in C么te d'Ivoire, emphasized persistent gender inequalities in the workplace, particularly in remuneration and access to formal employment, and called for market structuring and early education intervention. St茅phane Aka Anghui, executive director of the General Confederation of Enterprises of C么te d'Ivoire, noted that despite sustained economic growth, it remains largely non-inclusive, stressing that diversity is a performance driver. In C么te d'Ivoire, only 4% of businesses are led by women. Ms. Bergman, representing the German embassy, highlighted that
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Must ReadThe Ivorian National Monitoring Committee for Actions Against Trafficking, Exploitation, and Child Labor CNS launched a capacity-building workshop for Social Traceability Operations Agents AOTS in Yamoussoukro from July 12 to 16, 2026. These agents, deployed in production zones in partnership with the Coffee-Cocoa Council, monitor social practices, verify the absence of child labor in plantations, and educate producers on human rights. The workshop, following an evaluation by the Public-Private Partnership Platform's technical secretariat that identified operational difficulties, includes two phases: validating AOTS tools and activities, and training on the social aspects of cocoa production. Dr. GBONGUE Mamadou, Deputy Director for Projects and Monitoring-Evaluation at the Coffee-Cocoa Council, emphasized the need to equip this surveillance brigade to ensure optimal social traceability and eradicate child labor. Mr. Amani KONAN, national consultant to the Office of the First Lady, highlighted the Ivorian authorities' commitment to this fight, led by Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, and presented CNS initiatives. Mrs. AIPO Melissa Djama, Technical Secretary of the Public-Private Partnership Platform, stated the workshop aims to define a clear roadmap and strengthen coordination, commending the CNS, ILO, and ICI Foundation's involvement. Social traceability in the coffee-cocoa sector encompasses mechanisms to monitor producers' living and working conditions throughout the supply chain
The French National Day, Bastille Day, was celebrated on July 14, 2026, at the Residence of France in Abidjan, C么te d'Ivoire. The event was attended by the Vice-President of the Republic, Prime Minister Robert Beugr茅 Mamb茅, and numerous political, diplomatic, cultural, and media figures. Key speeches were delivered by the Ambassador of France to C么te d'Ivoire, Jean-Christophe Belliard, and the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Diaspora, Kaba Nial茅. Ambassador Belliard highlighted the "exceptional" quality of relations between France and C么te d'Ivoire, emphasizing the values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, and their relevance to the cooperation between the two nations. He also noted the dynamic nature of the Franco-Ivorian partnership, which includes diversified cooperation in economic, educational, security, and environmental sectors. Belliard reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting C么te d'Ivoire's development priorities through a balanced and sustainable partnership. Minister of State Kaba Nial茅 conveyed greetings from the Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, to the French Republic. She praised the strong historical ties and progress in bilateral cooperation, advocating for increased economic exchanges and investments, and reiterating France's role as a key strategic partner for C么te d'Ivoire. The ceremony concluded with the national anthems of both countries, performed with Afro-jazz influences, followed by informal exchanges a
Vice President Ti茅moko Meyliet Kon茅 met with Master Artisan Chocolatier Cheffe Viviane Kouam茅 on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Presidential Palace. Kouam茅, the first woman to achieve the title of Master Chocolatier in West Africa, expressed her honor and happiness at presenting her work, career, and global accolades to the Vice President. She received the Excellence Award for Best Artisan in C么te d'Ivoire in 2024. Kouam茅 aims to expand her production to cover both national and international markets, and to further represent C么te d'Ivoire at international exhibitions with her range of local-flavored chocolate products, including atti茅k茅 chocolate. She encouraged fellow chocolatiers and pastry chefs to promote their professions. Vice President Kon茅 congratulated her on her work in cocoa transformation, the promotion of cocoa-derived products, and her commitment to showcasing C么te d'Ivoire's capabilities, aligning with President Alassane Ouattara's industrialization goals. The Minister, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Emmanuel Ahoutou Koffi, also attended the meeting.