The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) and 2A Consulting, the organizing agency of SIREXE, have officially signed a strategic partnership agreement positioning the 2026 edition of the Salon International des Ressources Extractives et de l’Énergie (SIREXE) as the “Travel and Ceremony Partner” of Côte d’Ivoire’s national football team, the Elephants.

The agreement was formalized on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the headquarters of the FIF in Abidjan, marking a new collaboration between sports and the country’s strategic extractive and energy sectors.

SIREXE, an international exhibition dedicated to mining, oil, gas, and energy, is led by the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy. The platform aims to position Côte d’Ivoire as a regional hub for investment, innovation, and cooperation in the extractive and energy industries.

Its first edition, held in 2024, was widely regarded as a success, attracting key stakeholders and highlighting the continent’s ambitions to better structure and monetize its natural resource sectors.

Building on this momentum, the 2026 edition of SIREXE, scheduled to take place from November 18 to 22, 2026, aims to expand its international visibility and reinforce Côte d’Ivoire’s image as an attractive, modern, and investment-oriented economy.

Through the partnership with the Elephants, organizers hope to amplify global attention around Côte d’Ivoire’s economic ambitions during a period marked by heightened international visibility as the country builds toward major sporting and economic milestones.

Speaking at the ceremony, Augustin Akou, Managing Director of 2A Consulting, said the partnership represents a unique opportunity to merge national pride with economic promotion.

“SIREXE has decided to partner with the Elephants in order to promote this platform, support the national team, and rally the nation around this great squad to speak to the world. We thank the President of the FIF and the Executive Committee for this opportunity to showcase Côte d’Ivoire’s economy and the SIREXE platform through the Elephants. We are fully committed to supporting FIF in mobilizing around the national team,” he said.

For his part, FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo welcomed the partnership, stressing the importance of the extractive and energy sector as a key pillar of the national economy.

“Under the vision of the President of the Republic, H.E. Alassane Ouattara, and the leadership of Minister Sangafowa Coulibaly, the mining, oil, and energy sector has become the most important sector in Côte d’Ivoire. Having this sector alongside us is a major support, in addition to the national companies already working with us. Please extend our gratitude to the Minister, as we now have strong and consistent backing,” he said.

The partnership reflects a growing trend in Côte d’Ivoire where sports, economic diplomacy, and major industrial sectors are increasingly being combined to enhance the country’s international visibility and attract investment ahead of major global events.