Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko Receives Ivorian Minister Ahead of Landmark Mining and Energy Cooperation Agreement

Botswana's President Duma Gideon Boko received Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, in Gaborone on July 30, 2026, just hours before the signing of the first-ever cooperation agreement between Côte d'Ivoire and Botswana in the mining and energy sectors.

Carrying greetings from President Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian minister discussed with the Botswanan Head of State the opportunities created by the new partnership, as well as the International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources (SIREXE), scheduled for late November 2026 in Abidjan, where Botswana will participate as the guest of honor.

On that occasion, President Duma Gideon Boko confirmed that he will pay a state visit to Côte d'Ivoire on the sidelines of the event.

"President Duma Gideon Boko is convinced that this cooperation will serve as a model through the results it delivers," Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly said after the meeting.

For Abidjan, the partnership is expected to leverage Botswana's internationally recognized expertise in mining governance, natural resource management, and the development of a high-value extractive industry.

This vision is shared by Botswana's Minister of Mines and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, who said the agreement should demonstrate that "Africa can share experiences and achieve tangible results through South-South cooperation."

For Gaborone, the partnership represents an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading African partner in the mining industry while drawing inspiration from Côte d'Ivoire's expertise in gold exploration, which has become one of the most dynamic on the continent over the past decade.

The presidential meeting follows the talks held between Alassane Ouattara and Duma Gideon Boko in May 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, where the two leaders laid the groundwork for this strategic rapprochement. It gives strong political backing to the first cooperation agreement between the two countries and reflects their shared ambition to make the partnership a catalyst for skills transfer, investment, and value creation in Africa's extractive industries.