This is the final leg of a global tour. Côte d’Ivoire is mobilizing its diaspora to boost its growth. The Diaspora For Growth international forum concluded on June 27 at the Pré Catelan in Paris, under the patronage of the Ivorian government. The Parisian event was the culmination of a journey that began on May 7 in Abidjan, before a stop in Milan in early June. A key announcement at this stage was the issuance of diaspora bonds starting in the first quarter of 2027.
It was a meeting point for mobilization and cohesion between the Ivorian government and its French diaspora. In two days, the Diaspora For Growth forum registered over 90 billion CFA francs in investment intentions and raised approximately $11 million from international partners, or nearly 6.5 billion CFA francs. The watchword of this edition: to make the diaspora a strategic player in Ivorian economic policy.
The diaspora has always been important in President Ouattara’s vision for the development of Côte d’Ivoire. A vast movement has emerged in Africa. I don’t particularly like to use the word, but it’s a kind of sovereignist movement. We want to be able to rely on ourselves. But if we want to rely on ourselves, we ourselves must be willing to contribute.
AMADOU COULIBALY, Minister of Communication, Government Spokesperson
We felt it was important to reach out to our diaspora. After two days of activities, we have seen 91 million CFA francs in investment intentions, 10 million euros, or approximately 6.5 billion CFA francs in support from our technical development partners. More than 100 people have decided to open accounts on the BRVM (Regional Stock Exchange). We have also received over 200 CVs from the Youth Employment Department of the Ministry of Youth and Social Promotion.
AMADOU COULIBALY, Minister of Communication, Government Spokesperson
Concrete and factual data, such as the impact of the Ivorian diaspora in 2025, are key. Remittances reached nearly 939 billion CFA francs, compared to 640 billion in 2023. However, only 10 to 15% of these funds currently finance productive projects. The forum’s objective is to transform this family support into high-value-added investments for the 2026-2030 National Development Plan. The NDP aims to mobilize over 114 trillion CFA francs, 70% of which will come from the private sector, with the diaspora playing a crucial role.
They were presented with the entire support ecosystem available to them upon their return to our country. This includes assistance from CEPICI with business creation, networking opportunities with other partners, and tax exemptions through the investment code that CEPICI can make available to them.
CAROLE VERSTEEG, Deputy Director General of CEPICI
To address the information gap, all Ivorian institutions supporting SMEs have set up shop in Paris. Among the partners present is the BRVM (Regional Stock Exchange), which is preparing to issue the future Diaspora Bonds, created to encourage the participation of Ivorians abroad in national development. The first issues are announced for the first quarter of 2027. Another project launched during this forum is CARivex.
