Opening of CGECI Academy 2025: “Economic sovereignty is everyone’s business,” says Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé

Presiding over the official opening ceremony of the 13th edition of the Economic Forum of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI Academy 2025), held under the theme “Economic Sovereignty: The Time for Action,” Prime Minister Dr. Robert Beugré Mambé stated that economic sovereignty is everyone’s business.

The ceremony took place on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan, in the presence of distinguished personalities including the President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, and numerous business leaders.

“Economic sovereignty is everyone’s business: the State, which creates an enabling environment; the private sector, which invests and innovates; the youth, who engage in entrepreneurship; and consumers, who, when price and quality are equal, prioritize local products. The time for diagnosis is over. The time is now for action,” declared Robert Beugré Mambé.

He went on to add: “Together, we will make Côte d’Ivoire and our countries sovereign economic powers, proud of their production, strong in their industries, and confident in their future. Our country, Côte d’Ivoire, must in this regard become the breeding ground for efficiency and emergence, and also for responsible partnerships.”

According to the Prime Minister, Côte d’Ivoire’s economic sovereignty will go beyond expectations if the State and the private sector work together: “It will necessarily come through strong, innovative, and competitive local enterprises, capable of shining beyond our natural borders, while also establishing responsible and balanced joint ventures.”

Faced with persistent challenges—such as improving agricultural productivity, locally processing strategic raw materials, strengthening the competitiveness of industrial sectors, financing research and development to address climate change, developing economic networks, and raising awareness of the amplifying impact of the circular economy—the Ivorian Head of Government stressed that “economic sovereignty has become a national imperative.”

“It requires the ability to produce and transform our resources locally, to reduce our technological dependence, to consolidate our regional value chains, to access new markets, and to massively train our youth to strengthen the advantage provided by the major demographic dividend for our countries,” he affirmed.

According to AfDB President Sidi Ould Tah, Africa’s economic sovereignty will depend on mobilizing Africa’s own financial resources, advancing reforms, strengthening the continent’s financial architecture, demographic transformation, building resilient infrastructure, and optimizing and processing both agricultural and mineral raw materials.

Louise Mushikiwabo, for her part, emphasized that economic sovereignty must serve to create jobs for young people.

The President of CGECI, Ahmed Cissé, noted that Morocco, the guest country of honor, is represented by more than 25 company presidents.

The first day was highlighted by a high-level panel entitled: “From Dependence to Power: Building Africa’s Economic Sovereignty.”

CGECI Academy, a platform for dialogue and reflection that has over the years become a key event for Côte d’Ivoire’s private sector, runs until September 30. Its agenda includes exhibitions, panels, sectoral B-to-B meetings, and more