Côte d’Ivoire: Sidi Tiémoko Touré courts US partnerships to transform livestock sector

Côte d’Ivoire is stepping up efforts to attract American expertise, investment and technology into its livestock and fisheries sectors.

Agriculture and Animal Resources Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré travelled to Pennsylvania and Iowa on August 17–18 to promote the Salon de l’Élevage d’Abidjan (SELAB 2026), scheduled for November 20–22 in Abidjan.

In Pennsylvania, the minister met Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and representatives of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, presenting the opportunities offered by Côte d’Ivoire’s livestock market and its access to the wider West African market.

He invited US public institutions, universities, professional organisations and companies to take part in SELAB 2026, which is expected to bring together actors from the cattle, dairy, poultry, pig, veterinary and aquaculture industries.

The mission then moved to Iowa, where Touré met Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and visited Iowa State University, one of the United States’ leading institutions in agricultural and veterinary sciences.

The discussions identified potential cooperation in applied research, professional training, animal health, genetics, animal nutrition and scientific exchanges. A joint working group is expected to explore the preparation of a memorandum of understanding that could be signed during SELAB 2026.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the objective goes beyond promoting a trade show. Abidjan is seeking to use SELAB as a platform to attract investment, technology and expertise capable of modernising domestic livestock production and strengthening the country’s food security.

The government also wants to build stronger links between Ivorian and American companies while developing value chains in meat, dairy, poultry, veterinary services and aquaculture.

With the United States expected to play a prominent role at SELAB 2026, Côte d’Ivoire is positioning the Abidjan event as a gateway for American businesses and institutions seeking opportunities in the Ivorian and wider West African markets.

The next challenge will be to turn the contacts established in Pennsylvania and Iowa into concrete investments, technology transfers and long-term partnerships.