A delegation from the Autonomous District of Abidjan, led by Minister Paulin Claude Danho, First Vice-Governor, took part on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Africa Forum on City and Port Cooperation held at the Ningbo International Conference Center in China.
Organized under the theme “Building Green and Smart Port Cities Together: Opening New Horizons for China-Africa Decentralized Cooperation,” the forum is taking place from May 26 to 28, 2026.
Representing Minister-Governor Cissé Ibrahima Bacongo, the First Vice-Governor participated in a high-level panel discussion where he presented Abidjan’s vision for smart governance, urban modernization and integrated port-city development.
He highlighted the strategic role of the Port of Abidjan as a major regional logistics platform connecting West Africa to international markets.
During his presentation, Paulin Claude Danho showcased several major infrastructure projects and qualitative reforms implemented under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, which continue to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s economic dynamism and international influence.
He notably emphasized the digitalization of port procedures, the development of intelligent urban traffic management and security systems, the gradual implementation of a secure land registry for industrial zones, and the creation of a Digital Big Data Center aimed at improving and optimizing public service management.
The representative of the Abidjan District praised the progress achieved by the Chinese government and the authorities of Ningbo, home to one of the world’s largest ports. He called for stronger technological partnerships and investments between African and Chinese cities through cooperation focused on skills transfer, innovation and the co-development of solutions adapted to African realities.
He also invited Chinese investors and companies to seize investment opportunities offered under Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030, particularly in Abidjan, which is positioning itself as a modern, green and competitive metropolis.
The participation of the Abidjan delegation, which also included exhibition visits and B2B meetings, helped strengthen cooperation ties between the Autonomous District of Abidjan and the port city of Ningbo in the industrial, agricultural, logistics and technology sectors.
Through its active presence at this international summit, the District of Abidjan reaffirmed its ambition to position Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital as a connected, resilient and globally open African metropolis.