Côte d'Ivoire – Central Africa: A Forum to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Cooperation Opens in Abidjan

The first edition of the Bilateral Economic Cooperation Forum – Public and Private Sectors, bringing together experts from Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Chad, was officially opened on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Abidjan-Treichville by the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Sidi Tiémoko Touré, representing Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé.

Held from April 9 to 11, this inaugural forum is organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad through its embassy to Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic. The initiative aims to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the three countries, with a special focus on innovation, economic integration, and entrepreneurship.

According to Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré, the forum goes beyond diplomatic commercial exchanges. It is, he said, a symbol of solidarity, innovation, and shared prosperity. He stressed that the priority of this forum is to “establish mechanisms that facilitate trade, encourage investment, and ensure balanced growth for our nations.”

The forum’s initiator, H.E. Filbert Kouassi Gleglaud, Côte d'Ivoire’s Ambassador to Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic, explained that the event will allow public sector stakeholders to share experiences and give private sector actors an opportunity to meet, explore business prospects, and secure new market agreements.

The event features panels, roundtables, thematic workshops, B2B meetings, and networking sessions.

This strategic platform brings together policymakers, business leaders, investors, and economic experts to discuss business opportunities and regional development.