Côte d’Ivoire’s participation in the INTERREG MAC Programme has reached a new milestone, with the country now involved in ten major projects representing more than €25 million in investments. This was highlighted during a meeting between Ivorian authorities and officials of the ambitious cooperation programme linking Europe, West Africa, and the Atlantic region, held in Abidjan on June 4.

INTERREG MAC officials emphasized the strategic importance of Côte d’Ivoire’s involvement. Of the 34 projects approved under the first call for proposals of the current programming period, ten include Ivorian partners, in addition to the strategic ATLANTE project.

The projects cover key sectors critical to the country’s future, including SME competitiveness, digital transformation, the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, food security, marine technologies, climate change adaptation, and mobility. These areas are fully aligned with Côte d’Ivoire’s development priorities.

For the Ivorian government, this cooperation serves as a practical tool to advance the vision outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026–2030. Representing the Prime Minister, Hervé Aka N’Zai stressed that INTERREG MAC’s objectives directly converge with national priorities, namely innovation, research, business competitiveness, the green and blue economy, skills development, climate resilience, and mobility.

With a total budget of €200 million, co-financed at 85% by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), INTERREG MAC provides Ivorian partners with privileged access to funding opportunities and international cooperation networks.

A new opportunity is already on the horizon with the launch of the fourth call for proposals on June 15.

This initiative is expected to enable more Ivorian stakeholders to develop high-value projects. As Côte d’Ivoire seeks to mobilize nearly €175 billion in investments by 2030, with the private sector playing a central role, the opportunities offered by INTERREG MAC are increasingly viewed as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and job creation.

As the national focal point for the INTERREG MAC Programme, the Coordination Unit of the Côte d’Ivoire–European Union Strategic Partnership, operating under the authority of the Prime Minister’s Office, supports Ivorian institutions and organizations in participating in the programme’s various calls for proposals.