By Ayomide Otitoju
A high-level United States delegation met with officials of the African Development Bank Group on 17 November at the Bank’s headquarters to explore ways to deepen cooperation and expand support for Côte d’Ivoire’s economic transformation and investment priorities.
The Bank’s team was led by Joseph Martial Ribeiro, Deputy Director General for West Africa, while the U.S. delegation included Jessica Davis Ba, the United States Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, and Alex Severens, the Bank Group’s Alternate Executive Director for the U.S. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration across strategic sectors.
Ribeiro provided an update on the Bank’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire, noting that by the end of October, the institution was financing 46 projects valued at $4.2 billion. The portfolio spans infrastructure, finance, energy, agricultural transformation, industrialisation, and private sector development.
Presenting an economic outlook, Marcellin Ndong Ntah, Lead Economist for West Africa, highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s strong macroeconomic trajectory, with growth projected at 6 percent in 2024 and expected to rise to 6.5 percent between 2025 and 2026. He also outlined the priorities of the Country Strategy Paper (CSP 2023–2028), which focuses on diversification, sustainability, and structural transformation, with a mid-term review scheduled for 2026.
Blanche Kiniffo, Country Programme Officer, reviewed the Bank’s country portfolio and indicative operational programme for 2026. She described the portfolio as highly dynamic, with transport, finance, energy, and agriculture representing more than 80 percent of financing. New opportunities are expected in governance, industrialisation, and water and sanitation.
The U.S. delegation outlined its trade strategy for Côte d’Ivoire, developed under the U.S. Embassy Prosperity Working Group. The meeting identified areas of alignment between U.S. priorities and the Bank’s interventions, setting the stage for joint initiatives from 2026, particularly to support private sector growth.
Both sides also examined procurement opportunities, the Bank’s project pipeline, and potential financing avenues for U.S. companies interested in Côte d’Ivoire.
The session, described as both technical and strategic, underscored a shared commitment to deepening cooperation on high-impact projects. The two parties reaffirmed their intention to promote an enabling environment for investment and to strengthen support for companies seeking to tap into opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire.
