Côte d’Ivoire–Gabon Business Forum: Public–Private Partnership Driving Transformation in the Land of the Bantus

South–South cooperation continues to strengthen between Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. This dynamic was clearly demonstrated with the launch of the Côte d’Ivoire–Gabon Business Forum (FACIGA), whose first edition was held on 18–19 November 2025 in Libreville. This ambitious initiative, placed under the banner of public–private partnership, positions itself as a genuine lever for economic transformation.

The strong presence of economic operators reflected the growing interest in this collaboration. Among them was PORTEO GROUP, represented by Yaya Konaté, Managing Director of Porteo BTP Gabon, and Gérard Kouassi, Managing Director of Porteo BTP Côte d’Ivoire. As many observers note, the holding led by Hassan Dakhlallah continues to assert its status as a major African player in infrastructure, energy, industrialization, and digital sovereignty.

A high-impact first edition

More than 500 participants from the public and private sectors of both countries attended the event, held in a prestigious hotel in Libreville. Their goal was clear: to redefine the contours of an ambitious economic partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon. The 2025 edition of FACIGA placed special emphasis on strategic sectors such as agro-industry, infrastructure, energy, and digitalization.

Within this framework, PORTEO GROUP deployed significant resources. Active in seven countries and renowned for its expertise in infrastructure and energy—while also advocating for African digital sovereignty—the group used the forum to showcase its integrated model, covering the entire value chain. Its participation was marked by high-level contributions widely praised for their relevance.

The Transgabonaise: A model of structural ambition

During the “Success Story” session, Yaya Konaté detailed the group’s strategy, built on mastery of deadlines, constant quality, and strong local anchoring. According to him, PORTEO relies on a “unique integrated model” covering engineering, construction, industrial sectors, logistics, energy, mining, and digital infrastructure.

With more than 3,000 km of road infrastructure already delivered in West and Central Africa and a project portfolio worth several billion euros, PORTEO has established itself as a key pan-African actor. In this regard, Konaté underscored the emblematic Transgabonaise project, a strategic 306 km road linking Alembé to Mikouyi.

This major project, driven by the Gabonese government, aims to connect the provinces of Moyen-Ogooué and Ogooué-Lolo. It mobilizes up to 1,400 workers and generates significant structural impacts: opening up remote areas, reducing logistics costs, improving access to essential services, and strengthening economic competitiveness.

Towards African industrial autonomy

During the “Infrastructure, Energy and Mining” roundtable, Gérard Kouassi emphasized the foundations of African sovereignty: robust infrastructure, skilled local talent, and responsible development of mineral resources.

He detailed the PORTEO model, built around local industrialization of materials, reducing dependence on imports, integrating national SMEs, ensuring stronger traceability, and strictly adhering to international QSE (Quality – Safety – Environment) standards.

FACIGA also enabled the team of Hassan Dakhlallah, Chairman of PORTEO GROUP, to reaffirm the holding’s ambitions for Gabon and, more broadly, for Central Africa. This first edition could become a springboard for deeper expansion throughout the region.