Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire announce plans to open embassies to strengthen economic ties

Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire have announced plans to open embassies in each other’s capitals, marking a new step in strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between East and West Africa.

The announcement was made in Nairobi following talks between Kenyan President William Ruto and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit.

Ruto said Kenya would appoint its first resident ambassador to Abidjan as part of efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation across several strategic sectors.

Ouattara described Côte d’Ivoire as a gateway to French-speaking West Africa and called for stronger trade and investment ties between the two countries.

The two leaders also pushed for direct flights between Nairobi and Abidjan and the removal of trade barriers under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to officials, future cooperation is expected to focus on key sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, fintech, and regional trade.

The initiative comes as African countries increasingly seek to boost intra-African trade and expand economic partnerships across the continent.