By Ajong Mbapndah L
New York, September 25, 2025 — Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of State and Special Advisor to the President, former Prime Minister Patrick Achi, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Dr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa to U.S. President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The 45-minute meeting focused on advancing political, economic, and security ties between Côte d’Ivoire and the United States against the backdrop of regional challenges in West Africa.
Mr. Achi presented Côte d’Ivoire’s strong investment potential, emphasizing opportunities in infrastructure, transport, agriculture, energy, industry, mining, and digital technology. He urged deeper American private-sector engagement, noting U.S. interest in major structural projects and highlighting local processing of key commodities as a priority growth area.
On behalf of President Alassane Ouattara, Minister Achi thanked Washington for its continued support, including the $360 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact to boost the country’s energy capacity and strengthen its role as a regional hub. He also cited U.S. Exim Bank financing for Cybastion digital-infrastructure projects, underscoring Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions to become a leader in West African connectivity.
Dr. Boulos outlined the Trump administration’s updated Africa strategy, which favors private investment and trade over traditional public aid, aiming to foster joint development of U.S. and Ivorian private sectors “in a win-win dynamic.” He referenced ongoing U.S. investments across Africa and expressed keen interest in expanding activities in Côte d’Ivoire.
Accepting an invitation extended on behalf of President Ouattara, Dr. Boulos agreed in principle to undertake a working visit to Abidjan in the coming month, signaling the potential for a new phase of Ivorian-American cooperation built on mutual economic growth and regional stability.
