US Navy strengthens strategic partnership with C么te d'Ivoire on security cooperation
via Abidjan.net9 min read
Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of US Naval Forces Africa, visited Abidjan on April 23, 2026, to enhance the defense partnership between the United States and C么te d'Ivoire. This high-level visit aims to deepen security cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. During his visit, Admiral Wikoff met with Ivorian defense and maritime security officials, including Abroulaye Fofana, to discuss interoperability and coordination of maritime actions. Discussions with General Lassina Doumbia focused on regional stability and strategic interests in the Gulf of Guinea. Operational cooperation between the two navies, including joint exercises, coordinated operations, and intelligence sharing, was a key topic in exchanges with Rear Admiral Amara Kon茅. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Yaound茅 Code of Conduct, a framework for regional maritime security cooperation against piracy, illicit trafficking, and illegal fishing. Admiral Wikoff stated that C么te d'Ivoire and the United States share direct maritime security interests, emphasizing that working together ensures freedom and security of maritime routes for legitimate trade in the Gulf of Guinea. Junaid Munir highlighted the tangible results of this partnership, strengthening security and fostering economic opportunities for both American and Ivorian businesses. Admiral Wikoff also commended C么te d'Ivoire's participation in Obangame Express, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Africa, led by US naval forces. This coo
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Abidjan.net.
Ivorian diplomat Ambassador Aly Tour茅 was a guest of honor at the International Business Leaders Summer Cocktail in the House of Lords on July 21, 2026. Hosted by Susanna Toth Lee, Chairwoman and Founder of HBBA Global, and Lata Gullapalli, President of Savoir-faireCompany, the event gathered 160 business leaders, investors, diplomats, and decision-makers from the UK, Europe, UAE, Hungary, and other countries. HBBA Global and The Savoir Faire Company collaborate to support business leaders, promote global trade, and foster innovation. Ambassador Tour茅 highlighted C么te d'Ivoire's achievements under President Alassane Ouattara, noting an average economic growth of 6.5% over the last decade. He detailed the country's fourth National Development Plan 2026-2030, which aims for a 7.2% annual growth rate to increase per capita GDP from $3,148 to $4,500 within four years. The plan focuses on consolidating security and stability, modernizing agriculture, promoting private investment, developing human capital, strengthening strategic infrastructure, and promoting good governance. Ambassador Tour茅 also mentioned the recent Consultative Group meeting in Abidjan on July 8-9, 2026, where C么te d'Ivoire secured $80 billion in financial commitments from partners, four times the initial target. He invited investors to participate in the 3rd generation National Agricultural Investment Program PNIA 3, particularly in processing cocoa, coffee, natural rubber, cashew nuts, cotton, and oil palm, wh
Traor茅 Amidou officially assumed his role as the new director general of C么te d'Ivoire 脡nergies CI-ENERGIES on Friday, July 24, 2026. The handover ceremony was overseen by Yves Konan, the chairman of the board of directors. Traor茅 Amidou succeeds Noumory Sidib茅, who led CI-ENERGIES for nearly five years. The board of directors commended Noumory Sidib茅 for his "remarkable work" during his tenure. They also expressed confidence in Traor茅 Amidou, urging him to continue the transformation of CI-ENERGIES and contribute to C么te d'Ivoire's ambition of becoming the energy hub of the sub-region. CI-ENERGIES is a public company responsible for managing and developing the electricity sector in C么te d'Ivoire.
Adama Coulibaly, C么te d'Ivoire's Minister of Economy, Budget, and Finance, opened a joint ministerial session of the African Union's 9th Specialized Technical Committee STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration, and the 5th STC on Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Mineral Resources on July 23, 2026, in Abidjan-Cocody. Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Robert Beugr茅 Mamb茅, Minister Coulibaly highlighted the critical need for financing industrialization to achieve sustainable development in Africa. He emphasized that ministers would review expert conclusions to adopt policies aimed at accelerating the continent's industrialization. The minister noted that financing industrialization is a multifaceted challenge involving fiscal policies, debt management, financial market development, private investment, and regional economic integration. Despite opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA, African economies remain heavily reliant on raw material exports, vulnerable to international market volatility, and face high capital costs. According to the African Development Bank AfDB, Africa needs to bridge an annual financing gap of approximately $400 billion by 2030 for structural transformation. Coulibaly called for better coordination of public resources, concessional financing, guarantee mechanisms, public-private partnerships, capital markets, and long-term savings from pension funds and insurance companies. He also stressed st