Côte d’Ivoire and the Winning International Group signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Abidjan. This agreement aims to establish a strategic dialogue framework for identifying and preparing structuring projects in the mining, energy, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. The ceremony, held on the sidelines of the second day of the Consultative Group meeting on financing the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030, took place in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé.
The document was signed by the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Kalil Konaté; the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly; the Minister of Infrastructure and Road Maintenance, Yacouba Konaté; and the Vice President of Winning International Group, Rui Shiliang. Speaking on behalf of the signatory ministers, Mr. Sangafowa-Coulibaly praised President Alassane Ouattara’s “vision and leadership,” stating that this momentum has enabled Côte d’Ivoire to become “one of the most dynamic and attractive economies on the continent.”
The Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy clarified that “this document is not an investment agreement; it establishes a framework for strategic dialogue between the Government and Winning International Group to identify, evaluate, and prepare major integrated projects.” He added that projects deemed viable will be subject to specific implementation agreements. According to him, this approach aligns with the ambition of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (PND) to “accelerate the structural transformation of the economy, strengthen industrialization, process natural resources locally, and create jobs for young people.”
The Vice President of Winning International Group stated that Côte d’Ivoire’s economic dynamism and attractive business climate motivated his group’s commitment. “We want to put our experience at the service of Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial transformation, in the development of resources, infrastructure, and energy, creating sustainable value and contributing to the prosperity of the Ivorian people,” said Mr. Rui Shiliang, expressing his conviction that this partnership will be based on “mutual trust, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.” On the sidelines of this meeting, Minister Kalil Konaté received representatives from the ONEROAD Group and the CEO of SOMDIA, Mr. Olivier Parent. Mr. Parent indicated that his group has invested 71 billion CFA francs over the past five years, increasing sugar production from 100,000 to 130,000 tons. He also announced an investment program of approximately 100 billion CFA francs for the period 2026-2030, aimed at increasing sugar production, developing the alcohol sector, and promoting corn cultivation and processing. Finally, he expressed his desire for the implementation of a new strategic plan to support sugar production.
