Canada Reaffirms Support for Côte d’Ivoire’s 2026–2030 Development Plan at AfDB Meetings
On the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development and AfDB Governor for Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba, held talks on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with Patricia PENA, Alternate Temporary Governor of the AfDB and Canada’s Minister Delegate for International Assistance Partnerships and Programs. At the center of the bilateral meeting were efforts to strengthen the longstanding partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and Canada, as well as discussions on enhancing Canadian support for the financing of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2026–2030 National Development Plan (PND).
The meeting formed part of Dr. Diarrassouba’s intensive working agenda in Brazzaville during the AfDB Annual Meetings, which includes high-level discussions on economic transformation, consultations with development partners, and business engagements with investors, in line with the strategic priorities of the PND 2026–2030.
The discussions provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strength of relations between Côte d’Ivoire and Canada, a committed partner and active member of the international donor community.
Ms. PENA highlighted the growing interest of the Canadian private sector in Côte d’Ivoire’s development programs, reflecting the dynamism of a bilateral relationship that increasingly extends beyond traditional institutional cooperation to include stronger engagement from Canadian businesses and investors.
During the meeting, Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba presented Côte d’Ivoire’s new national planning cycle. Developed under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, the PND 2026–2030 is backed by an investment program worth 114,838.5 billion CFA francs, of which 70.2% is expected to come from the private sector and financial markets.
Structured around six strategic pillars, the development plan aims to improve living conditions, strengthen social welfare and infrastructure, deepen economic diversification and industrialization, and reinforce governance and national cohesion. The program defines the framework for Côte d’Ivoire’s next phase of economic transformation.
The Minister emphasized the favorable conditions surrounding the country’s investment drive, pointing to a steadily improving business climate, a secure environment, and ongoing reforms aimed at reinforcing the country’s attractiveness to investors.
Ms. Patricia PENA reaffirmed Canada’s willingness to support the financing of the PND 2026–2030, signaling Ottawa’s political commitment to elevate bilateral cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire.
Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba welcomed the commitment and expressed hope for stronger participation from both Canadian institutions and the private sector in a partnership model based on reciprocity and shared value creation.
In this context, the Minister invited the Canadian delegation to participate in Côte d’Ivoire’s Consultative Group Meeting with Technical and Financial Partners, scheduled for July 8–9, 2026, in Abidjan. The event is expected to serve as a major platform for international mobilization around the financing of the PND 2026–2030.
“Canada is a trusted partner whose commitment to Côte d’Ivoire has long been established and consistent. We now expect this strong foundation to translate into significantly enhanced participation by the Canadian private sector in financing the PND 2026–2030, within a truly win-win partnership framework. The Consultative Group meeting in Abidjan on July 8 and 9 will provide an opportunity to jointly formalize the contours of this commitment,” Dr. Souleymane Diarrassouba said.
By mobilizing Canadian support around the PND 2026–2030, Côte d’Ivoire is reaffirming a conviction upheld at the highest level of government: transformative partnerships are those that combine private capital, shared vision, and long-term commitment.
