The U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire celebrated the 249th anniversary of American independence on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Embassy Annex located in Riviera 4, in the commune of Cocody. Under the theme "Innovating Together," the celebration also marked 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In a friendly and festive atmosphere, the Chief of Mission, Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, expressed the pride of the United States in seeing the U.S.–Ivorian partnership expand and deepen around shared values such as democracy, innovation, and shared progress.
“We celebrate independence, innovation, and partnership. The theme ‘Innovating Together’ reflects our belief that creativity and progress allow us to build a more sustainable and inclusive future,” declared the Ambassador in her speech.
She added, “We believe innovation is most valuable when it benefits everyone by strengthening institutions, transparency, and civic participation.”
Ambassador Davis Ba highlighted major bilateral initiatives, including the U.S.–Côte d’Ivoire Commercial Dialogue, Tech Camps organized for youth, and the signing of over $700 million in trade agreements in 2025 across key sectors such as energy, digital technology, and cybersecurity.
“Investing in youth is investing in our shared future. They are the bold innovators who will build tomorrow,” she emphasized.
She also called for a spirit of innovation: “Let’s innovate, refuse the status quo, seek improvement, and have the courage to dream and the determination to achieve.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ivorian government, Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Sidi Tiémoko Touré, extended official congratulations from Côte d’Ivoire to the American people. He underlined the strength of the historic partnership between the two nations, rooted in health, education, security, and economic development.
“The theme ‘Innovating Together’ reveals the aspirations we share to build a fairer, safer, and more prosperous future. Innovating together in a world marked by uncertainty means choosing solidarity, resilience, and shared progress,” he stated.
He also praised the strategic contributions of U.S. programs such as USAID, the MCC, and PEPFAR, which he said have “greatly contributed to the socio-economic development of Côte d’Ivoire.”
On security matters, the Minister thanked the United States for its support, notably through the International Counterterrorism Academy in Jacqueville and the recent donation of military equipment.
“The military exercise Flintlock 2025, which brought together 500 soldiers from 38 countries, illustrates the effectiveness of our security cooperation,” he recalled.
On the economic front, he noted a rise in trade exchanges, reaching $1.6 billion in 2024, and welcomed the opening of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Abidjan, as well as agreements signed during the AmCham Business Summit in May 2025.
However, the Minister also voiced concern over U.S. countervailing duties applied to strategic Ivorian exports such as cocoa, cashew nuts, and rubber.
“It is essential to strengthen bilateral dialogue to explore balanced solutions, preserve the history of our trade cooperation, and boost investments,” pleaded Sidi Tiémoko Touré.
Additionally, the Minister touched on the upcoming elections in Côte d’Ivoire in 2025, assuring the government's commitment to peaceful, democratic, and transparent polls. He reaffirmed the Ivorian authorities' determination to maintain a dynamic and equitable bilateral cooperation, especially through a consultation framework on migration issues.
“May this celebration symbolize the vitality of our 65-year-old friendship and our shared desire to innovate together in building a more promising and prosperous future,” the Minister concluded on behalf of the government.
The United States celebrates its Independence Day every year on July 4, thanks to Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Various festivities take place across the country on this day, commemorating the American people's liberation from colonial rule.
