As part of its strategy to develop the extractive sector, the Ivorian government has announced the creation of a joint venture with the China National Geological and Mining Corporation to intensify mining exploration activities in the country.

The Council of Ministers, meeting on February 4, 2026, adopted a decree authorizing the Ivorian Mining Development Company (SODEMI) to take a majority stake in the new company, named Ivoiro-Chinese Exploration (ICEX). ICEX will be an Ivorian law company dedicated to prospecting and evaluating the country’s mineral resources.

The company’s share capital is 20 million CFA francs, divided into 2,000 shares: 56.65 percent held by SODEMI and 43.35 percent by the Chinese partner. This strategic partnership will allow Côte d’Ivoire to benefit from technical expertise, advanced geoscience knowledge, and access to cutting-edge exploration technologies.

According to the government, this initiative aims to develop the country’s geological potential, strengthen the state’s role in mining project governance, and attract international investment. It is part of a broader effort to modernize the Ivorian mining sector and support economic growth through the discovery of new deposits.

The partnership between SODEMI and CGM also highlights the importance of Ivorian-Chinese cooperation in the mining sector, which is strategic for the national economy and the creation of local jobs.