WASHINGTON, D.C. (AURN News) — Ivory Coast — officially known as Côte d’Ivoire — is calling, and officials say it’s time for American investors to start listening.
In an exclusive sit-down interview with AURN News during his visit to the United States, Ivorian Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources Sidi Tiémoko Touré said his country — one of the largest economies in West Africa, second only to Nigeria — is ready to strengthen its partnership with the U.S. and emphasized that language barriers should not stand in the way.
“We are ready for business in Côte d’Ivoire,” Touré said. “We are waiting for them.”
Touré, who met with American stakeholders, including those in livestock and fisheries, said U.S. investment has long focused on English-speaking African nations, overlooking Côte d’Ivoire’s potential simply because it is a French-speaking country.
“Money doesn’t have a barrier,” he said.
“Money is cash. Money is profit. Even if you speak Chinese, English or Portuguese — when speaking the language of money, we don’t have to be afraid of the barrier.”
Touré described Côte d’Ivoire as the largest economy among French-speaking countries in Africa, with 40% of the GDP of the eight-country West African Economic and Monetary Union and the gateway to a West African market of 400 million people.
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s top cocoa producer with 40% of global production — a point Touré underscored in his interview with AURN News.
He also highlighted the country’s cashew, rubber and coffee output as signs of its agricultural strength.
But it’s the energy sector, he said, that’s now drawing fresh attention.
A recent offshore oil field discovery — worth 200,000 barrels per day — is helping spark new investor interest.
Rich resources like gold, cobalt, nickel, lithium and several other minerals are catching the attention of investors as well.
“This is really a big potential which is not known by American investors,” he said.
Touré said the West African nation has experienced strong and sustained growth over the past decade — an average of 8% over the last 14 years.
“Over the past 10 years, we have averaged 8.2% GDP growth from the year 2011 until now, even during the COVID period, which is a very good indicator,” he said.
Touré said Côte d’Ivoire has investment policies designed to protect foreign investors and is also looking to provide regional access.
He added that new efforts are underway to help members of the diaspora return and do business.
Speaking directly to African American audiences, he extended a welcome: “The diaspora and African Americans are invited to seize this opportunity,” he said.
“We want them to engage, to take interest in their home country and in Africa.”
Touré also noted that investing in Côte d’Ivoire doesn’t just benefit the country itself — it opens access to the broader West African market.
“Through Côte d’Ivoire, you reach all the region,” he said.
Touré plans to return to the U.S. for further visits, including stops in Louisiana, Ohio, Texas and several other states.
For now, he says the message is simple: The door is open.
“You will be very welcome,” he said.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
