Côte d’Ivoire hosts EU business forum, targets trade boost
Côte d’Ivoire and the European Union have launched a major business forum to improve key transport corridors in West Africa, as reported by APA News on February 25th.
The EU-Regional Business Forum will take place in Abidjan from March 30th to April 1st, 2026. More than 500 policymakers, investors and business leaders are expected to attend.
The focus will be on boosting investment in transport and logistics along the Abidjan-Lagos and Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridors.
EU representative to Côte d’Ivoire, Irchad Razaaly, said the goal is to move from discussions to real agreements between companies and financial partners. He pointed to current transport delays as a major problem.
A truck travelling from Lagos to Abidjan can take up to 12 days, he said, adding that better corridor management could bring that time down to four days.
The forum is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, which aims to support infrastructure and economic links with partner countries. Ivorian Transport and Maritime Affairs Minister Amadou Kone said the initiative will help build lasting partnerships for large projects.
He highlighted plans for dry ports in Ferkessedougou, Côte d’Ivoire, and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, as examples of projects that could benefit.
The event also fits into Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Program for 2026-2030. The programme has a total budget of more than 114,000 billion CFA francs and relies heavily on private sector funding. Moreover, Côte d’Ivoire has secured $300m in funding for a real estate project.
Solange Amichia, Director General of CEPICI, said discussions will involve road, rail and maritime transport, as well as digital systems and smart mobility. The forum will include meetings between businesses and governments, as well as sessions to address financing challenges.
By bringing together the eight UEMOA countries along with Ghana and Nigeria, Abidjan is strengthening its role as a regional hub for trade and economic cooperation in West Africa.
APA News, Maghrebi.org
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