By Ajong Mbapndah L
In a diplomatic visit laced with both strategic ambition and soft diplomacy, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Animal and. Fisheries Resources and Senior Ruling Party Official, Sidi Tiémoko Touré, was in Washington, D.C. with a mission: to reset narratives, build economic bridges, and rally American interest in both politics and private sector partnerships ahead of a pivotal election year. Pan African Visions Managing Editor sat down with Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré to unpack the core message of his visit, ranging from Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic commitments to the economic vision of President Alassane Ouattara, and the controversies surrounding the disqualification of high-profile opposition figures like Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo. What followed was a candid, wide-ranging conversation that covered everything from regional diplomacy to infrastructure growth, political reform, and why Côte d’Ivoire remains one of the most promising African destinations for American investors.
Minister Touré, welcome to Washington, D.C. Can you tell us the nature of your visit?
Thank you for the warm welcome. This visit is about positioning Côte d’Ivoire as both a democratic beacon and an economic hub in West Africa. Specifically, I’m here to promote the upcoming Pan-African Livestock Exhibition (SELAB), which we will host in November 2026 in Côte d’Ivoire. It’s a major continental gathering focused on livestock and agribusiness—a sector deeply tied to our identity and development goals. The last edition had Brazil as the guest of honor. This time, we’re excited to extend that honor to the United States. We’ve begun reaching out to State department, the Department of Agriculture, the private sector, and other American institutions, because this isn’t just about agriculture—it’s about linking markets and people across continents.
Politics in Côte d’Ivoire is also drawing attention, especially with elections coming up in October. What can you tell us about the preparation and mood in the country?
We are determined to make this election a model for democratic practice in Africa. The preparations are going well, and our institutions—from the electoral commission to the judiciary—are fully operational. Everyone eligible and legally compliant is welcome to run. Yes, we know that whenever elections happen in Africa, there’s speculation, sometimes misinformation. But I assure you, this election will be transparent, secure, and open to all. The ambition is to give every Ivorian a voice and to ensure that those competing do so on a level playing field.
President Alassane Ouattara is running again. What legacy is he campaigning on, and what is the case he is making for a new term?
President Ouattara is a man on a mission. I would warmly invite all American stakeholders—government, private sector, investors—to come and see the transformation firsthand. Under President Ouattara’s leadership, Côte d’Ivoire has achieved something remarkable: we’ve maintained an average GDP growth rate of 6.3% since 2011, even managing to keep the economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic with 3–4% growth. That kind of consistency speaks to resilience and good governance. More than 50% of business activity and infrastructure routes in West Africa now flow through Côte d’Ivoire. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a signal. We are not just a top performer in Francophone Africa, we are also the second largest economy in ECOWAS, with 40% of GDP of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The progress is visible, tangible, and measurable across all national development levels. Yes, American interest in our country has always existed—but now is the time to scale it up. We’ve seen strong engagement from Arab-speaking countries, and today, we’re making a deliberate effort to become even more globally accessible. English is progressively taking up since it is tough from secondary schools to universities and vocational schools, which shows our willingness to connect, trade, and collaborate more closely with partners like the United States. This is not about political ideology. Our administration is focused on business, not politics. We are creating a space where the private sector can lead, where international partnerships are encouraged, and where returns on investment are real and protected. So, to our American friends: the door is open. Let’s walk through it together and build something sustainable.
However, there’s criticism around the exclusion of key opposition figures like Tidjane Thiam and Laurent Gbagbo. What’s your response to concerns about legitimacy?
Let’s be very clear: no one is excluded for political reasons. We operate under a constitutional framework. Take Tidjane Thiam—he chose to become a French citizen since 1987 at age 25. He registered on the voters roll while still holding his French citizenship. It is only when the controversy started that he returned to begin the procedures to revoke his French citizenship. In every electoral process there are deadlines to submit candidacies and he couldn’t respect. As an example, Mr. Billon who was in the same situation did all the procedures on time to lawfully registered on the voters roll and is now campaigning to gather the necessary support to be candidate. Our constitution requires that presidential candidates hold only Ivorian nationality. It’s not personal. It’s legal.
As for Laurent Gbagbo, his disqualification stems from a criminal conviction by international courts. Another candidate, Simone Gbagbo, was also disqualified after being convicted. These are legal matters, not political vendettas. People must understand: if you want to lead a country, you must prepare yourself at all level to follow its laws and avoid the situation he put himself in. We’re not in the business of excluding voices. But we are in the business of defending our Constitution. As President Obama once said, Africa needs strong institutions, not strong men.
Some say President Ouattara’s absence from a recent U.S.-Africa summit was a message from Washington. Was that taken as a slight?
Not at all. We respect the sovereignty and protocol of our American partners. That summit had its own agenda and guest list. We had no issue with that. During my visit here, the atmosphere has been respectful, productive, and forward-looking. Our delegation has had meaningful conversations about investment, security, and agriculture. There’s no bitterness—just momentum. We have internal priorities. What matters is that we’re strengthening ties every day.
You’ve served both in the cabinet and as an MP. How do you balance your national duties with obligations to your constituency?
I take that as a personal commitment. Representing the people of Ando-Kekrenou, Béoumi, and Kondrobo is not just a title—it’s a responsibility. My work in the cabinet allows me to bring local realities into national policy. It’s demanding, but I believe we must give back. We’re a new generation of leaders. We grew up watching the country evolve. Now it’s our turn to return what the nation gave us—through service, discipline, and vision.
Why should international investors look at Côte d’Ivoire right now?
Côte d’Ivoire is a land of opportunity—and that’s not just a slogan, it’s a fact well known to our American friends. We sit at the heart of a dynamic West African market of over 400 million people. That kind of scale presents unmatched potential—not only for trade but for long-term investment and strategic partnerships. We’re not just focused on Côte d’Ivoire alone. Our economic model is designed to position the country as a launchpad for engaging with the wider African continent. By investing in Côte d’Ivoire, you’re also investing in regional integration, cross-border business, and continental growth. The time is right. We have the infrastructure, the political will, and a leadership committed to transparency, growth, and global collaboration. Our business environment is improving every year, and we’re seeing consistent returns on investment across sectors—especially in agriculture, energy, digital, and logistics. So, to American investors, I say this: Don’t just observe Africa from afar—get involved. Côte d’Ivoire is open, optimistic, and fully ready to partner. And in doing so, you help raise awareness of the broader African opportunity while securing real value in return. Why not invest where the future is being built?
Finally, what’s your message to Ivorians and the global community ahead of the 2025 elections?
Stay calm. Stay engaged. Trust the process. This election will be peaceful, fair, and inclusive. Some hidden interests use social media to spread misinformation about Cote d’Ivoire and the electoral process, but our institutions are in place, and democracy will prevail. After the campaigns and despite some misunderstandings we will come back together—as Ivorians—because our shared future depends on unity. Our commitment to peace is unwavering.
