Côte d’Ivoire seeks stronger economic ties with Portugal and Italy

Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné held separate meetings on Wednesday with the ambassadors of Portugal and Italy to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to deepen cooperation.

During talks with Portugal’s ambassador, Francisco-Xavier Graça Moura de Meireles, the two sides discussed expanding cooperation into new areas. Portugal wants to contribute further to Côte d’Ivoire’s development while bringing companies and people from both countries closer together, with a particular focus on opportunities that could help create jobs.

Koné also met Italy’s ambassador, Roberta Di Lecce, with discussions focusing on ongoing bilateral cooperation and efforts to attract more Italian companies to Côte d’Ivoire. The two countries are also working on projects under Italy’s Mattei Plan, which seeks to strengthen economic partnerships with African countries.

The Mattei Plan has an initial fund of €5.5 billion and focuses on areas including education and vocational training, health, food security, water and energy. Côte d’Ivoire is among its first beneficiaries, with €639 million earmarked for projects under the initiative.

The meetings reflect Abidjan’s efforts to deepen and diversify its partnerships with European countries, with investment, private-sector cooperation and job creation increasingly at the centre of bilateral ties.