French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire paid a two-day visit to Côte d’Ivoire at the end of April, which is part of the strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation.
He spoke with various officials including the head of state, Alassane Ouattara, discussing not only the economic field, but also political, security and others. On the economic side, the French minister called for speeding up the major infrastructure projects launched in the country and which would be managed by French companies.
“I am thinking of the extension of Houphouët-Boigny airport, I am obviously thinking of the Abidjan metro, which is a huge project, which will change the lives of millions of Abidjan residents. So this is an absolutely strategic project, ”he said.
And to continue, “the meaning of my visit is therefore to say we are coming out of the period of economic crisis, we are going to accelerate the recovery and we want to work hand in hand with the Ivorian government”.
Work to extend the Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan should be able to start. As a link between words and deeds, Bruno Le Maire signed a framework financing agreement with the Ivorian Minister of Transport, Amadou Koné, and Minister of Economy and Finance, Adama Coulibaly. This project is managed by the French group Bouygues.
According to Amadou Koné, “the realization of this program should immediately bring the annual capacity of Abidjan airport to more than five million passengers”.
The Mayor visited a site of the future construction site of the Abidajn metro, a project which dates back almost twenty years. The cost of the work “is still under discussion, I cannot give a precise figure. But the Ivory Coast knows that it can count on the support of France ”, assured the French minister.
Bruno Le Maire’s visit is also part of the preparation for the Summit on the financing of the economies of sub-Saharan Africa, which will take place in Paris on May 18.
This meeting is to try to find new funding mechanisms for this region hard hit by the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
By OMA Newsletter N ° 252 of 03/05/2021
OMA, an NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
The enhancement of human potential
The promotion and consolidation of inter-African integration
Keywords: France-Ivory Coast economic cooperation, Infrastructures, Bruno Le Maire
Ivory Coast
Geographic position: West Africa
