Côte d’Ivoire: PETROCI and SOCAR Strengthen Partnership to Accelerate Oil and Gas Development

Côte d’Ivoire is strengthening its energy strategy by deepening cooperation with SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state-owned oil and gas company, as the country seeks to increase hydrocarbon production and build a more competitive national energy champion.

PETROCI Holding, Côte d’Ivoire’s national oil company, and SOCAR have expanded their strategic partnership around several key areas, including oil and gas exploration and production, crude oil trading, skills transfer and digital transformation of energy operations.

The cooperation comes as Côte d’Ivoire’s energy sector gains momentum, driven in particular by the development of the offshore Baleine field, one of the most significant oil discoveries in West Africa in recent years.

SOCAR’s entry into the Baleine project marks a new phase in energy cooperation between Abidjan and Baku.

The Azerbaijani state company recently acquired a stake in the strategic offshore field, joining existing partners in one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most important energy assets.

Discovered in 2021 by Eni and PETROCI, the Baleine field began production in 2023, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as an emerging oil producer in West Africa.

The project is expected to gradually increase national oil and gas production through several development phases. In the long term, Ivorian authorities aim to boost hydrocarbon output to support economic growth, industrial development and national energy security.

For the Ivorian government, the partnership with SOCAR is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s energy sovereignty.

Abidjan aims to develop greater domestic expertise across the entire oil and gas value chain, from exploration and production to commercialization, infrastructure management and digital technologies.

Skills transfer is a central component of the cooperation. The initiative is designed to strengthen the capabilities of Ivorian professionals in a sector increasingly driven by advanced technologies, data management and specialized expertise.

Through PETROCI, the government wants to transform the national oil company into a stronger regional energy player capable of playing a greater role in West Africa’s oil and gas industry.

Côte d’Ivoire has been working for several years to attract more international investment into its energy sector and accelerate the development of its natural resources.

The country already has a relatively advanced energy industry, with natural gas playing a major role in electricity generation. Increasing gas production is expected to support domestic demand and fuel the country’s industrial ambitions.

The development of the Baleine field is considered a cornerstone of this strategy. Revenues from oil and gas production are expected to contribute to infrastructure development and broader economic growth.

For SOCAR, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its international footprint beyond its traditional markets.

Azerbaijan, with decades of experience in oil and gas production, is seeking to strengthen its presence in global energy markets through new international partnerships.

The cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire also reflects a wider trend among energy-producing countries to diversify alliances amid geopolitical tensions, shifting global energy markets and growing demand for secure energy supplies.

As Africa’s energy needs continue to rise, Côte d’Ivoire is betting on its oil and gas resources to accelerate economic development while strengthening its position as a regional energy hub.