Embassy of India

ABIDJAN - COTE D'IVOIRE

Côte d'Ivoire, being 9th biggest economy of Africa, stands as a key economic powerhouse in Francophone West Africa, renowned for its rich mineral resources and deep-rooted agricultural heritage. As the largest economy within the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), it contributes an impressive 40% of the Union’s total GDP, underscoring its vital role in the region’s economic landscape 

2. The current President Alassane Ouattara took office after the 2010-2011 conflicts triggered by disputed elections, and his presidency saw significant development. He won the 2015 election and initiated a constitutional committee whose draft was approved by the National Assembly and a referendum, enabling his third-term pursuit. However, opposition parties deemed it illegal, leading to their 2020 election boycott. Despite the controversy, President Ouattara won decisively, strengthening his political standing. The next Presidential elections are due for this year.

3. The ruling party of President Ouattara, the Rassemblement des Houphouétistes pour la démocratie et la paix, won 147 of the total 255 seats in the March 2021 elections for the National Assembly. In Senate elections held in September 2023, his party secured 56 out of 64 seats up for elections. Similarly, in the Municipal elections held in September 2023, his party secured pole position by winning 123 out of 199 seats.

4. The diplomatic relationship between India and Côte d'Ivoire has long been characterized by cordiality and friendliness. India established its Embassy in Abidjan in 1979, and in September 2004, Cote d'Ivoire opened its Resident Mission in New Delhi.

5. India and Côte d'Ivoire share common values and collaborate on key global issues such as sustainable development, climate change, international terrorism, and disarmament. Since 2014, Côte d'Ivoire has designated India as its focal partner in ICT, agriculture, health, mining, and infrastructure, underscoring the importance of bilateral cooperation. In recent years, India's commitment to strengthening ties has been evident through high-level engagements. The Ivorian leadership has shown keen interest in deepening collaboration with India, particularly in agriculture, health, fisheries, SEZs, and information technology.

6. India and Côte d'Ivoire support each other in the United Nations and other international organizations, particularly during elections. Côte d'Ivoire has consistently backed India’s positions on key issues such as terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir, and non-interference in internal affairs. In 2020, it also ratified the amended version of the International Solar Alliance.

7. The National Assembly of Cote d’Ivoire established the Cote d'Ivoire-India Parliamentary Friendship Group in July 2022. Members of the Friendship Group come from various political parties, and, the group is led by Mr. Pascal Affi N'Guessen, former prime minister and current president of the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), an opposition political party.

8. Côte d'Ivoire has actively engaged with India through various high-level platforms, strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. In January 2023, the Ivorian Minister of Commerce, Industry, and SME Promotion participated in the Voice of Global South Summit – 2023 session on Developing Synergies in the South: Trade, Technology, Tourism, Resources, chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

9. Building on this engagements, In March 2024, an Ivorian delegation visited New Delhi for 2nd Foreign Office Consultations. in August 2024, Mr. N'Guessan Koffi, Minister of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship, took part in the Education Ministers’ Session of the Third Voice of Global South Summit. Around the same time, Côte d'Ivoire further deepened its collaboration with India in the digital sector, as the Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization, Mr. Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, led a business delegation to the 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave held from 20-22 August 2024 in New Delhi. These interactions highlight the growing partnership between the two nations across trade, education, and digital transformation.

Trade and Commerce: 

10. Total bilateral trade figures data during the last Five years are as follows:

(Data Source: MOC, GOI)

11. India imports cashew, natural rubber, cotton, teak wood etc. and exports rice, vehicle/parts, medicines, jute bags etc. Details of top 5 import and export commodities are as below:

Top imports from Cote d’Ivore to India:

Top export commodities from India to Cote d’Ivoire:

Capacity Building and Human Resource Development:

12. Every year, India provides more than 100 training slots to Côte d’Ivoire under the ITEC Programme. Additionally, the ICCR offers 10 scholarships annually to Ivorians for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in India. As part of the outreach programme, at the request of the Ivorian Minister of Technical Education, the Embassy also organizes a specially tailored English language course for around 30 Ivorian teachers each year under the ITEC Programme. Over the past six years, more than 500 individuals have benefited from various training programmes of the Government of India.

13. Apart from this, several Ivorian students have also undergone training courses under the IAFS mechanism. Under the PAN African e-Network Project of IAFS many Ivorian students have pursued higher studies through distant learning faculties at the University of Cocody. A tele-medical consultation facility with prominent hospitals in India has been established at Yopougon Hospital in Abidjan. GOI has offered the service of the upgraded programme of Pan African e-Network Project known as e-VidhyaBharati & e-Aarogya Bharati (e-VBAB). India is also an important learning center for Ivorian students, particularly for ICT studies besides Commerce and Management degrees. India is fast becoming an important learning center for Ivorian students, particularly for ICT studies besides Commerce and Management degrees. 

Culture: 

14. Indian tele-serials and movies, dubbed in French, were immensely popular in CI since 1950s. Indian movies are shown once a fortnight in a rented cinema hall in Abidjan, which is mostly seen by the Indian diaspora. Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among Ivoirians. Mission, with the support of ICCR appointed Yoga teacher has started regular Yoga classes in the Embassy premises, which is quite popular among local and Indian community.

Indian Community:

15. There are an estimated over 4000 Indian nationals residing in Cote d’Ivoire. Most of them are engaged in trading and general merchandise business, while few of them are engaged in mining and manufacturing. There are also many Indians working with African Development Bank. ISKCON, Geeta Ashram, and Art of Living have their setup in Abidjan. Indian community also patronizes a temple in Abidjan. There are a few Indian restaurants in Abidjan. Community members regularly organize get-together to celebrate all major Indian festivals.

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(Last updated: March 2025)