Oil & Gas: Côte d’Ivoire and Azerbaijan Explore Joint Projects

Azerbaijan is seeking to expand its presence across Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire being the first country where this policy has materialized.

Côte d’Ivoire and Azerbaijan have initiated discussions on potential projects in the oil and gas sector. The talks took place in Abidjan between Ivorian officials and an official delegation from Baku, led by Yalchin Rafiyev, with the participation of Rovshan Najaf, head of Azerbaijan’s national oil company SOCAR.

During the meeting, reported on Friday, March 6, by several international media outlets, Azerbaijani officials met with representatives from the Ivorian Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy and officials from the national oil company PetroCI. Discussions focused on cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, including the implementation of joint oil and gas projects.

Beyond these projects, the talks also addressed investment opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector and issues related to the country’s energy security.

The Baleine oil and gas project was also discussed. This offshore field is one of Côte d’Ivoire’s major ongoing energy projects. In late January, Eni signed a binding agreement with SOCAR, which acquired 10% of Eni’s stake, becoming a partner alongside Vitol (30%) and PetroCI (22.75%), while the remaining 37.25% is held by the operator Eni.

A Series of Energy Agreements Between Baku and African Countries

These discussions come as Azerbaijan gradually strengthens its energy partnerships with several African nations. In recent months, Baku has intensified initiatives to develop cooperation in oil and gas exploration, production, and infrastructure.

·       In April 2024, SOCAR signed an agreement with the Congolese national oil company for cooperation in refining and other downstream activities, including technical expertise exchange and industrial project development.

·       In March 2025, Azerbaijan engaged in discussions with Somalia on energy cooperation covering oil and gas exploration and development, signing a memorandum of understanding on expertise sharing and potential hydrocarbon projects.

·       According to Agence Ecofin in April 2025, Azerbaijan also held discussions with Egypt to strengthen hydrocarbon cooperation, including exploration, production, and investments in the energy sector.

These initiatives illustrate Azerbaijan’s strategic push to become a stronger energy partner in Africa, with Côte d’Ivoire serving as a key entry point.