Côte d’Ivoire and UK Sign Framework Agreement to Finance Education Projects

Côte d’Ivoire and the United Kingdom, through the UK’s export credit agency UK Export Finance (UKEF), have signed a framework agreement to support the financing of major education projects in the country.

The agreement was signed on March 5, 2026, by Adama Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, and John Marshall, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire. The ceremony took place at the minister’s office in the Sciam building in Plateau, Abidjan, in the presence of Dimitri Koffi, Deputy Regional Director of UKEF for West and Central Africa.

The framework document aims to enable Côte d’Ivoire to raise funds with guarantees from UKEF, allowing the country to secure financing at more favorable rates.

According to Minister Adama Coulibaly, the agreement currently covers three major projects in the education sector: the construction of 56 secondary schools, the development of the Adiaké university town, and the construction of student residences.

He also assured that if new projects are included in the country’s National Development Plan (PND), they could also benefit from support under this partnership.

For his part, Ambassador John Marshall emphasized that the bilateral agreement demonstrates the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire in implementing its new National Development Plan. He noted that the UK plans to provide financial support of around £3 billion for major government projects.

He further explained that these projects will be financed by Côte d’Ivoire with the support of the United Kingdom through guarantees provided by UKEF, enabling the Ivorian government to obtain loans under more attractive conditions.