Côte d’Ivoire is accelerating its industrialization agenda through the development of the Adzopé Special Economic Zone (SEZ), a project expected to attract around 225 billion CFA francs ($390 million) in investments and create approximately 51,000 jobs, government officials said.

During a visit to the site on Wednesday, Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts Ibrahim Kalil Konaté reaffirmed the government's commitment to making industrial development a central pillar of the country's 2026–2030 National Development Plan.

Covering 432 hectares in the Mé region, the future industrial hub is already benefiting from key infrastructure investments, including an electrical substation equipped with five distribution feeders, three of which will be dedicated to supplying the industrial zone.

The project forms part of President Alassane Ouattara’s broader strategy to increase local processing of agricultural commodities and reduce reliance on exports of raw materials.

"Côte d’Ivoire must move from being a leading producer to becoming a leading processor of its major agricultural commodities," Konaté said during the visit.

Authorities believe that expanding industrial zones across the country's regions and establishing special economic zones in strategic districts will help spread economic opportunities beyond the commercial capital, Abidjan.

The ministerial delegation also toured energy facilities being developed by CI-Energies, where construction works are reported to be at an advanced stage.

Launched in 2015, the Adzopé SEZ is considered one of Côte d’Ivoire’s flagship industrial projects aimed at boosting manufacturing capacity, attracting investors and supporting long-term economic growth.