Côte d'Ivoire and the United Kingdom have taken a significant step in strengthening their parliamentary cooperation. On November 4, 2026, Patrick Achi, President of Côte d'Ivoire's National Assembly, led a delegation of Ivoirian lawmakers on a historic visit to Westminster in London. This marked the first official visit by the Ivoirian institution to the UK Parliament. The visit aimed to enhance cooperation, modernize legislative practices, and foster institutional capacity building.
The Ivoirian delegation, which included Cédric Diarra, Vice-President of the National Assembly, Adama Koné, President of the RHDP parliamentary group, and Netro Tagbo René, President of the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee, was warmly received by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, President of the UK's House of Commons. The visit included a tour of parliamentary facilities, a presentation on the organization and procedures of the House of Commons, and discussions on modernizing parliamentary work.
Key areas of discussion between the two parliaments included the functioning of committees, legislative procedures, and mechanisms for controlling government action. The Ivoirian delegation was particularly interested in the UK's use of technology, including the digitalization of procedures and the integration of artificial intelligence in parliamentary activities. These exchanges aimed to identify best practices that could be adapted to the Ivoirian context.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the Ivoirian lawmakers to participate in a traditional session of Prime Minister's Questions, allowing them to observe the UK's parliamentary system in action. This experience was seen as particularly instructive, offering insights into the practices of debate, questioning, and government accountability in the UK.
In addition to the institutional aspects, the visit included an academic component, with the Ivoirian delegation visiting several UK universities, including those in London, Oxford, and Cambridge. These meetings explored new avenues for cooperation in public administration training, capacity building, and governance.
The discussions between Patrick Achi and Sir Lindsay Hoyle extended beyond institutional cooperation, touching on economic prospects for the African continent, including opportunities related to education, skills development, and youth empowerment. Both parties emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships in education and governance.
The historic visit of Côte d'Ivoire's National Assembly to Westminster marks a significant milestone in the development of cooperation between the two institutions. It opens up new perspectives for collaboration in strategic areas such as parliamentary capacity building, legislative modernization, and technology integration.
Key points
- The visit aimed to enhance cooperation, modernize legislative practices, and foster institutional capacity building between Côte d'Ivoire and the UK parliaments.
