Côte d’Ivoire, the agricultural powerhouse of West Africa, confirmed its potential at the Salon International de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales (SARA) 2025. Held in Abidjan from May 23 to June 1, the event featured China, a strategic partner in the modernisation of the sector. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, between technological innovation and local processing.
African agriculture, which accounts for 60% of jobs and 23% of GDP, remains a pillar of the continent’s economies. Against this backdrop, the Salon International de l’Agriculture et des Ressources Animales (SARA), held from May 23 to June 1 in Abidjan, confirmed Côte d’Ivoire’s potential as a regional agricultural powerhouse. As a guest of honour, China strengthened its cooperation with the West African country, focusing on innovation and local processing. Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture, Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, hailed this strategic alliance in the service of modern, sovereign agriculture.
‘The choice fell on the People’s Republic of China, a vast country of 9.6 million square kilometres, of which only 10% is arable land, compared with 60% for Côte d’Ivoire. Yet with just 7% of its land arable, China is facing the incredible challenge of feeding nearly 1.4 billion people. ’
KOBENAN KOUASSI ADJOUMANI , Minister of Agriculture – Côte d’Ivoire
China and Côte d’Ivoire have built an agricultural partnership marked by solid technical and economic exchanges. The Guiguidou rice-growing centre, with its high-yielding varieties, is a concrete example that has significantly boosted local production. In addition, Chinese investment in cocoa, rubber and palm oil processing is helping to add value to Ivorian products and strengthen local value chains.
‘China and Côte d’Ivoire enjoy a true friendship based on sincerity, mutual trust and win-win cooperation. The Salon international de l’agriculture et des ressources animales (SARA), the largest agricultural event in West Africa, is of major importance. Aware of this, the Chinese government is taking a keen interest and has mobilised significant resources to play an active role.
Zhang Xingwang, Vice-minister of Agriculture – China
During ‘China Day’ at SARA 2025, Sino-Ivorian cooperation took a strategic turn. Innovative agricultural technologies were presented in key sectors such as coffee, cassava and rubber, with a focus on intelligent agriculture. A number of partnership agreements were signed at the event, reflecting a shared commitment to modern, sustainable and more competitive agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire.
‘I would like to make a vibrant appeal to Chinese investors: Côte d’Ivoire has a wealth of agricultural resources that are just waiting to be developed locally. By investing in the processing of our products: cocoa, coffee, cashew nuts, manioc, among others, you will be contributing to a win-win partnership, bringing shared growth and sustainable development.’
KOBENAN KOUASSI ADJOUMANI , Minister of Agriculture – Côte d’Ivoire
Through the resolutions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China committed itself to supporting Côte d’Ivoire in building agricultural capacity, local processing and innovation. The aim is to modernise key sectors such as cocoa, coffee and cashew nuts, while ensuring sustainable and competitive agriculture.
