On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts received the German Economic Delegation to Côte d’Ivoire (AHK Côte d’Ivoire) at his office. The delegation was led by Natalie Kalbe and Emilia von Mettenheim, Director of the German Export Finance Competence Center.
This meeting was part of efforts to strengthen economic relations between Germany and Côte d’Ivoire through cooperation focused on investment, skills transfer, and business support.
Inaugurated in 2023, the German Economic Delegation in Côte d’Ivoire (AHK) plays a strategic role as the main point of contact for German companies wishing to establish themselves in Francophone West Africa. It promotes business opportunities, facilitates access to financing mechanisms, including German export guarantees, and supports structuring projects in key sectors such as infrastructure, water and sanitation, education, and transportation. The choice of Côte d’Ivoire to host this regional hub reflects the attractiveness of its economy and its role as a financial and logistics center in the sub-region.
Minister Kalil Konaté reaffirmed the government’s ambition, through the National Development Plan (PND 2026-2030), to accelerate the structural transformation of the Ivorian economy through industrialization. He commended Côte d’Ivoire’s position as a regional hub for German companies and encouraged the long-term establishment of new industrial players, particularly in the automotive sector. He also pledged the commitment of his department’s teams to support investment projects and ensure a favorable environment for their implementation.
This cooperation between Germany and Côte d’Ivoire contributes to economic growth, job creation, especially for young people, and skills development. It offers concrete prospects for addressing employability challenges and strengthening sustainable partnerships between the public and private sectors.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts reaffirms its commitment to consolidating these strategic ties to foster a more competitive and industrialized Ivorian economy.
