Côte d'Ivoire, recognized as a leader in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, has been chosen by German Development Cooperation through GIZ as one of the beneficiary countries of a support project for the AfCFTA Agreement's implementation. This project is aimed at Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and includes eight target countries, running until 2024.
The AfCFTA National Committee (AfCFTA-NC), in collaboration with GIZ, hosted a strategic planning workshop from 14 to 16 February 2022 in Grand-Bassam. The workshop aimed to present the scope of the support project, develop a roadmap, and establish a control and monitoring mechanism.
Under the chairmanship of Mr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, Minister of Trade and Industry and Chairman of the AfCFTA-NC Technical Committee, represented by Technical Adviser Mr. Ouattara Denis, the workshop included presentations and focus groups.
Speaking on behalf of Minister DIARRASSOUBA, Mr. Ouattara expressed gratitude to German Development Cooperation through GIZ for its technical and strategic support since 2019 and its ongoing dedication to advancing trade development and regional integration in Africa.
Mrs. SY, representing GIZ, reaffirmed German Cooperation’s commitment to supporting Côte d'Ivoire through the AfCFTA National Committee in the successful implementation of this flagship project under the African Union's Agenda 2063.
Mrs. Fatoumata Fofana BOUNDY, Executive Secretary of the AfCFTA-NC, emphasized the readiness of the committee members and the Executive Secretariat team to take all necessary steps to ensure the project's success.
The workshop concluded after three days of productive exchanges and active participation from all stakeholders, resulting in actionable conclusions to enhance the operationalisation of the AfCFTA support project in Côte d'Ivoire, supported by German Cooperation through GIZ.