The National Committee of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure, brought together fifty Ivorian restaurateurs and caterers on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, for a training session focused on international standards at the Professional Hospitality High School of Riviera Golf in Abidjan.

This initiative aims to strengthen the quality of services and better position Ivorian gastronomy in international markets.

A Growing Continental Market

Representing the Minister of Tourism, the Director General of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr. Klo Fagama, reminded participants that 2025 has been declared “The Year of Ivorian Gastronomy.”
He emphasized that improving the quality of restaurant and catering services is a key component of this strategy, with culinary excellence remaining central to visitor satisfaction.

The AfCFTA, which came into effect in January 2021, currently includes 49 countries, covering a potential market of 1.3 billion consumers and a combined GDP estimated at 3.4 trillion USD. It is considered the largest free trade area since the creation of the World Trade Organization and could generate an additional 450 billion USD in income by 2035, according to forecasts.

Training for Competitiveness

The two-day workshop focused on improving service quality through modules such as culinary techniques, food hygiene, management, and customer relations.
According to Raoul Marcel Ohoueu, Director of Cooperation and Professionalization, “Issues of hygiene, cleanliness, and customer well-being are essential when targeting the international market.” He noted that Ivorian gastronomy already enjoys recognition but now needs to enhance its strengths to ensure long-term growth.

Beyond technical training, participants were also sensitized to the opportunities within the AfCFTA. Fatoumata Fofana, Executive Secretary of the CN-AfCFTA, stressed the importance of understanding the agreement that took effect in 2019. “It’s crucial for restaurateurs to grasp the implications of this agreement to gain access to international markets,” she said.

She further highlighted the central role of restaurateurs in promoting the nation’s culinary identity:

“Dear restaurateurs, you are at the heart of AfCFTA’s success. Your role is vital because you showcase Ivorian gastronomy and enhance our country’s attractiveness.”

By upgrading the skills of local restaurateurs and caterers, the CN-AfCFTA aims to position Côte d’Ivoire as a major player in African gastronomy on the global stage — a move that underscores how the culinary sector is not only cultural but also economic and strategic for African integration