In this conversation with AfroAsian News, the Ambassador outlines the country’s economic strategy, its approach to global partnerships, and its vision for Africa’s role in a shifting global order.
Diplomacy & Global Positioning
Advocating for Global Stability
Question 1: As one of West Africa’s leading economies, how does Côte d’Ivoire see the role of emerging economies and the Global South in advocating dialogue and peaceful resolution in current global conflicts?
I would simply say that efforts to achieve peace and a more stable world concern all states, regardless of who they are. This collective effort also involves promoting multilateralism.
For its part, Côte d’Ivoire has always made dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts a priority. Guided by this vision, my country works tirelessly, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to prioritize diplomacy and development.
Balancing New Alliances and Strategic Autonomy
Question 2: With the landmark $480 million health pact with the US now in motion, how is Côte d’Ivoire maintaining its “strategic autonomy” as it navigates a more polarized global stage?
We believe that any external assistance is always welcome. However, regardless of its scale and scope, such assistance can only serve to complement domestic efforts.
Indeed, ensuring the health of its population must be a central concern for any government that considers itself responsible.
Driven by this commitment, the Ivorian government has been implementing reforms since 2011 aimed at achieving a profound transformation of the sector.
This has resulted in a more efficient, accessible, and resilient health system. It is firmly focused on modernity and equity; quality health infrastructure, Universal Health Coverage (now covering 60% of the population), not to mention reduction in maternal mortality rates.
Economic Stability and the Cocoa Sector
The New Price Reality
Question 3: Following the March 4 farmgate price adjustment to 1,200 CFA/kg, what proactive measures are being taken to help cocoa farmers manage this shift in the global commodity cycle?
In an effort to stem the crisis that has been affecting the sector since December 2025, the Ivorian Government has taken several emergency measures to stabilize it. These include:
- Reduction of the purchase price: The Government has lowered the guaranteed price paid to producers from 2,800 CFA francs to 1,200 CFA francs per kilogram for the intermediate season. This decision was motivated by the drop in international prices and the need to adjust the stabilization system.
- Government stock buyback: The Government, through the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), has launched a massive buyback program.
This involves buyback of nearly 100,000 tons of cocoa beans from producers and cooperatives at an estimated cost of over 280 billion CFA francs (approximately $516 million) in order to limit payment defaults by exporters.
- Changes to the campaign schedule: Effective immediately, the main campaign will begin on September 1 and end on February 28, representing a one-month reduction.
The intermediate season, meanwhile, will begin on March 1 and end on August 31, thus being moved up by one month.
This measure is intended to address the severe crisis that has been affecting the sector since November 2025, marked by the collapse of world prices and the accumulation of inventories.
Furthermore, for more than a decade, the Ivorian Government has been implementing an economic strategy aimed at reducing the country’s long-standing dependence on coffee and cocoa and structurally transforming the economy by 2030.
Economic Policy and Social Cohesion
Domestic Food Security
Question 4: Are the current global disruptions accelerating your plans to modernize the domestic food supply chain to reduce reliance on vulnerable global shipping routes?
The Ivorian Government did not wait for a global crisis, with its resulting disruptions to shipping routes, to take steps toward reducing its reliance on foreign food supplies.
In fact, reforms have been underway for several years to increase food production, and programmes have been implemented—particularly regarding rice—to boost production and facilitate local processing of this widely consumed product.
This applies to many other agricultural products as well.
H.E. Eric Camille N’Dry, Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to IndiaH.E. Eric Camille N’Dry, Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to India
India–Côte d’Ivoire Partnerships
The Investment Corridor
Question 5: Côte d’Ivoire has emerged as one of West Africa’s most dynamic economies. Which sectors do you see as the most promising for deeper trade and investment partnerships between Côte d’Ivoire and India?
The very first sector to consider is agriculture. More specifically, this involves the processing of agricultural products, the modernization of agriculture through mechanization, and the adoption of new agricultural techniques.
The other priority sector for us is healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
We have taken the initiative to develop reverse medical tourism. That is to say, instead of sending patients to India for treatment, we want to facilitate partnerships between Indian healthcare facilities and those in Côte d’Ivoire.
These partnerships will include, among other things:
- sending Indian specialists to perform procedures on-site as part of mobile medical units
- helping to build the capacity of our doctors
A project along these lines already exists between an Indian company specializing in medical tourism and the Ivorian Ministry of Health.
In both of these areas, India stands out as our preferred partner.
Indeed, a country that is able to feed and care for a population estimated at 1.4 billion people, and to export its agricultural and pharmaceutical surpluses, has much to offer us—not only in terms of investment, but also in terms of training and the exchange of expertise.
India has successfully carried out its agricultural revolution and is now considered the world’s pharmacy. It is up to us to capitalize on the excellent relations we have with this emerging power.
Digital Stack Collaboration
Question 6: How can Indian expertise in e-governance and real-time payment systems help accelerate Côte d’Ivoire’s own digital transformation goals?
The digital economy in Africa, and particularly in Côte d’Ivoire, is growing rapidly, opening up unprecedented opportunities for development, despite challenges such as access to energy and persistent inequalities in internet access and digital skills.
Africa’s digital transformation is expanding rapidly in:
- mobile money
- e-commerce
- tech startups
These are three sectors essential for development and job creation.
India’s experience and expertise in these sectors could be beneficial to us.
Discussions are underway with an Indian company to deploy a system in Côte d’Ivoire to facilitate nationwide electronic payments.
This project offers several advantages:
- Bringing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) out of the informal sector to ensure compliance with social obligations (insurance, social security contributions, wages, etc.)
- Broadening the tax base, which would significantly increase GDP
- Reducing thefts and attacks on holders of fiat currency (cash), and strengthening the fight against corruption and money laundering
- Eliminating cash-based financial transaction
Pharmaceutical Independence
Question 7: India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem includes a strong base of mid-cap companies with global manufacturing capabilities. What opportunities exist for such firms to establish manufacturing partnerships within Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial zones?
First and foremost, it is worth noting that Côte d’Ivoire imports nearly 90% of its pharmaceutical products, with India being its leading supplier (accounting for nearly 60%).
Two Indian generic drug manufacturers are already operating at the Grand Bassam Village of Technologies, Information, and Biotechnology (VITIB).
Pharmaceutical collaboration between the two countries is therefore already well established.
Côte d’Ivoire is committed to strengthening its health sovereignty, as demonstrated by the tax breaks and customs incentives implemented through the new investment code.
The country, which aspires to become the leading pharmaceutical production hub in West Africa within a few years, is ready to welcome more Indian companies, as well as vaccine manufacturing facilities.
Manufacturing partnerships can therefore focus on:
- local production of essential generic drugs
- regional distribution in West Africa (a market of over 400 million people)
- joint ventures with Ivorian partners
Diagnostic & Lab Partnerships
Question 8: Can we expect new collaborations where Indian medical device innovators provide both affordable hardware and technical training for Ivorian lab specialists?
Yes, we can expect new Indo-Ivorian collaborations in the field of medical devices, combining the provision of affordable equipment with technical training programs for laboratory specialists in Côte d’Ivoire.
Existing cooperation initiatives (ITEC, bilateral vocational partnerships) are already showing positive momentum.
Côte d’Ivoire aims to modernize its biomedical laboratories and improve access to diagnostics.
This opens the door for partnerships with Indian innovators specializing in:
- standardized laboratory equipment
- portable imaging technologies
Our country is also willing to host medical device manufacturing facilities that can serve both domestic and regional markets.
Homegrown Industry
Question 9: As Africa strengthens pharmaceutical sovereignty, could Côte d’Ivoire become a regional manufacturing hub serving the wider West African market?
Yes, Côte d’Ivoire is well positioned to become a regional pharmaceutical hub in West Africa.
This is supported by:
- its industrial infrastructure
- its logistical role in the subregion
- the commitment of its Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (AIRP)
Current initiatives aim to strengthen health sovereignty and attract international partnerships to serve the ECOWAS market.
5. Regional Leadership & Vision
ECOWAS Coordination
Question 10: How is Côte d’Ivoire leading a unified West African response to the current global economic shocks?
As one of the leading nations in the West African subregion, Côte d’Ivoire participates in all ECOWAS summits and expert meetings.
It stands in solidarity with decisions and initiatives adopted within this subregional body.
It also takes action at the bilateral level to address current global economic shocks.
A key example is the close collaboration between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in the management and marketing of the cocoa sector, where both countries are global leaders.
A Vision for the Future
Question 11: In one sentence, what is your message to the international community regarding Africa’s role in the 2026 global order?
With its young population and vast natural resources, Africa must assert itself as a key player in a rapidly changing world order and become an active geopolitical and economic force.
Possessing enormous strategic assets, the African continent must contribute in its own way, while safeguarding its interests, to the progress of humanity.
