After 22 months of implementation, with a budget of 647.512 million CFA francs, the project titled “Capacity Building in Border Management and Prevention of Human Trafficking in Côte d’Ivoire” has helped strengthen the skills of more than 133 police officers, particularly in combating document and identity fraud.

This satisfaction was expressed by Colonel Major Mory Sylla, Technical Advisor in charge of International Cooperation, representing the Minister of Interior and Security, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau, during the official closing ceremony of the project. The initiative was funded by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic and implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

“This program, which ends today, represents an important step in our national strategy for security and border governance. It has helped establish modern control and surveillance tools, enabling more efficient and transparent border management, raising awareness and mobilizing institutional and community actors in the fight against human trafficking, and strengthening regional and international cooperation by placing Côte d’Ivoire in a dynamic of experience sharing and best practices,” said Mory Sylla.

According to him, these tangible results have led to greater capacity for detection and prevention, as well as increased awareness of issues related to security and the protection of trafficking victims.

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, Nick Ojo Omorodion, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continuing cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire: “We remain committed and confident for the future.”

According to project manager Natalija Spunjini, the results also include monitoring of four border crossing points, two refresher training sessions, four specialized training sessions, the provision of equipment for detecting document fraud for the internal control unit, and the donation of computer equipment.

Other achievements include the creation of anti-trafficking units in 14 regions, including one in Bouna; training of 164 local actors in anti-trafficking efforts; the draft border law; and support for the National Commission on Borders of Côte d’Ivoire (CNFCI) in organizing the Abidjan Border Forum, among others.

Representatives of national partner institutions involved in the project, including Issa Bouda of the CNFCI, Jean Roland N’Guessan of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP), and Commissioner Soridio Dao of the Air and Border Police, representing the Director of Territorial Surveillance (DST), all praised the achievements of the project.

Border control, border governance, and the prevention of human trafficking were the three main priority areas of the project.