🇨🇮Côte d'IvoireWest Africa
Forest Calling and Soundélé Konan Foundation partner for large-scale reforestation in Africa
via Abidjan.net8 min read
Environmental project developer Forest Calling and the Ivorian Soundélé Konan Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Paris on April 7, 2026. This strategic partnership aims to implement a new generation of large-scale reforestation and agroforestry projects in Côte d'Ivoire and across the African continent. Addressing the rapid degradation of West African forest ecosystems, the organizations will combine their expertise to offer solutions that balance economic viability and ecological impact. Forest Calling will serve as the technical and strategic partner, handling feasibility studies, carbon sequestration model design, and access to international financing. The Soundélé Konan Foundation, known for its work in wildlife and flora protection, will act as the on-the-ground operator and institutional liaison with Ivorian authorities. The initial three-year agreement prioritizes restoring public lands through forest concessions and national reforestation programs in Côte d'Ivoire, developing agroforestry on private lands including medicinal plants and high-value forest resources, and regional expansion through joint responses to pan-African multi-country project calls. The partnership includes flexible financing mechanisms, such as revenue sharing from carbon credits and the creation of co-investments or joint ventures. The next steps involve identifying priority pilot projects and engaging with relevant authorities. The protocol was signed by John Galloula, President
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Must ReadOn April 16, 2026, the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, and the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget, Adama COULIBALY, participated in a forum in Washington to promote Côte d'Ivoire's National Development Plan PND 2026-2030. The event, organized in partnership with the Corporate Council on Africa, Miller & Chevalier, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, brought together American and international investors. Dr. DIARRASSOUBA presented President Alassane Ouattara's vision for a stable, ambitious, and unified nation, with the PND 2026-2030 outlining 810 projects across seven priority industrial clusters: agro-industry, energy, digital technology, health, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, and textiles. The plan, with a total budget of 114,838.5 billion FCFA over five years, relies on 70.2% private sector financing. Macroeconomic projections include an annual growth rate of 7.2%, a reduction in poverty to 20%, and the creation of over three million jobs by 2030, all within an economy characterized by contained inflation around 1% and strong international ratings. American investors showed significant interest in digital opportunities data centers, artificial intelligence, 4G/5G corridors, agricultural modernization, energy, mining, and health. The forum culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with ABD Group for 500 million euros approximately 327.98 billion FCFA for projects in health, water management, and education,
The second edition of the International Exhibition of Artificial Intelligence, Defense, and Space SIADE 2026, held on April 16, 2026, in Abidjan, focused on "What strategy for sovereignty in Africa by 2030?". The event was placed under the patronage of Téné Birahima Ouattara, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, represented by the Minister in charge of security, General Vagondo Diomandé. The opening ceremony featured an immersive audiovisual work created with artificial intelligence technologies, highlighting global technological convergence. Over two days, SIADE 2026 included panels, visits, and significant strategic agreements. Notably, an agreement was signed with the University of Montpellier for a nanosatellite project led by SAH Analytics International, the organizer of SIADE, and another with Université Péléforo Gon Coulibaly. These Public-Private Partnerships aim to enhance training and education in advanced technologies, contributing to a competitive and globally connected African technological ecosystem. The exhibition also showcased advanced technological tools through demonstrations.
Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé announced that trade between the European Union and Côte d'Ivoire averaged 5027 billion FCFA annually from 2020 to 2025, with a trade surplus of nearly 959 billion FCFA for Côte d'Ivoire. He made this statement on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the opening of the 9th session of the Côte d'Ivoire-EU Partnership Dialogue in Abidjan-Plateau. The dialogue focused on peace and security and the business climate. Mambé highlighted the EU as a key partner for Côte d'Ivoire, both commercially and in national development, noting that exchanges represent a significant portion of Ivorian foreign trade, facilitated by the interim Economic Partnership Agreement. He also emphasized the EU's role as a major investor, contributing to economic transformation, infrastructure modernization, and job creation for youth. The Prime Minister praised the quality of the dialogue, based on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for strategic development. He stated that the chosen themes reflect common priorities, as Côte d'Ivoire focuses on peace, economic transformation, and improving living conditions, with significant results in stability and strengthened governance. Mambé also affirmed that the business climate is a central pillar of Côte d'Ivoire's development strategy, with ongoing structural reforms aimed at improving the investment environment and economic attractiveness. These reforms include administrative simplification, digitalization of public services,
Must ReadDr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Planning and Development, presented the country's National Water Pact at the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington on April 15, 2026. The event, chaired by Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and attended by United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres, focused on the Water Forward initiative, which aims to ensure water security for one billion people by 2030. Côte d'Ivoire's President, His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, has been designated by the African Union as the champion for monitoring Agenda 2063, particularly during the AU's proclaimed 2026 Year of Water. With 400 million Africans lacking access to drinking water, Côte d'Ivoire is committed to achieving universal access to water and sanitation for its 32 million inhabitants by 2030. This includes reducing regional disparities and protecting its four major river basins. The pact outlines a plan to mobilize $7.5 billion, including over $1 billion in private capital, to transform the water sector, ensure its financial viability, and facilitate access to capital markets. The Minister emphasized that water is a fundamental economic infrastructure, essential for productive agriculture, competitive industry, and sustainable employment. By signing this pact, Côte d'Ivoire underscores that water security is central to its economic development strategy.