The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire (CCI-CI) and the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) have signed a convention to enhance economic relations and business exchanges between Côte d'Ivoire's private sector and American businesses. This partnership was established during an economic forum held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York from September 22 to 28, 2026.
The signing ceremony was attended by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nialé Kaba, and Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba. Other attendees included Ivorian and American dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from the private sectors of both countries.
CCI-CI President, Touré Faman, highlighted the significance of this convention, which reflects the great confidence placed in the institution by the Ivorian government and the CCA. He reaffirmed the CCI-CI's commitment to mobilizing Ivorian businesses, professional organizations, financial institutions, and development partners to facilitate exchanges and business flows between the two countries.
As part of this partnership, Touré Faman announced plans for regional and pan-African mobilization through the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and various private ecosystems on the continent. The goal is to make Côte d'Ivoire a platform for meetings, partnerships, and investments between Africa and the United States.
The 19th US-Africa Business Summit is scheduled to take place in Abidjan in 2027, and this convention marks the beginning of a structured mobilization effort. According to Touré Faman, the next steps include identifying priority sectors, mobilizing businesses, developing partnerships, and preparing the ground for a summit that meets the ambitions of Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, and American partners.
This partnership builds on previous efforts by the CCI-CI to bring together Ivorian and American business communities. In July 2026, the CCI-CI met with the Institutional Investor Network, and in the same month, it had an encounter with the CCA's President, Florizelle Liser, on the sidelines of the Consultative Group for the financing of Côte d'Ivoire's National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030.
The CCI-CI aims to continue promoting the Ivorian private sector and contributing to the development of partnerships, investments, and business flows between Ivorian and American enterprises. This new partnership with the CCA is expected to play a crucial role in advancing these objectives and fostering stronger economic ties between Côte d'Ivoire and the United States.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's Chamber of Commerce and Industry partners with Corporate Council on Africa to enhance economic relations with the US.
- The partnership aims to mobilize businesses and facilitate exchanges between Ivorian and American enterprises.
- The 19th US-Africa Business Summit will take place in Abidjan in 2027, further solidifying Côte d'Ivoire's role as a hub for African-American economic cooperation.
