Côte d’Ivoire strengthens blue economy ties with mauritius and seychelles

Abidjan, June 22, 2026 – Côte d’Ivoire is actively advancing its South-South collaboration in the vital blue economy sector. A high-level working delegation, led by Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, Sidi Tiémoko Touré, recently concluded a productive visit to Mauritius and Seychelles from June 10 to 12, 2026.

This strategic diplomatic outreach forms a crucial part of the Ivorian national blue economy implementation strategy. The initiative is widely recognized as a significant driver for sustainable economic growth, fostering employment opportunities, and maximizing the value of the nation’s rich marine and fisheries resources.

During the initial phase of the mission in Mauritius, Minister Touré engaged in comprehensive discussions with his Mauritian counterpart, Arvin Boolell Gosk, who oversees Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries. Their talks primarily focused on solidifying bilateral cooperation across key areas such as sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture development, and the responsible stewardship of marine resources.

Mauritian officials conveyed their strong commitment to assisting Côte d’Ivoire in advancing its blue economy framework. This support encompasses valuable knowledge exchange, specialized training programs, and collaborative project initiatives. Both nations are currently in the final stages of drafting a Memorandum of Understanding to formally structure and deepen this promising partnership.

In Seychelles, the Ivorian delegation delved deeper into the intricacies of blue economy governance models. They held productive meetings with local authorities, including Prime Minister Wallace Cosgrow, who also holds the portfolio for the sector, alongside various technical experts and senior officials.

Key discussion points encompassed effective and sustainable management of fisheries resources, strategies to combat illicit fishing activities, the modernization of industry sectors, and the development of robust value chains. The mission also featured insightful tours of significant port facilities in Victoria, Providence, and Cascade, as well as an aquaculture hatchery and the esteemed Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) at the University of Seychelles.

Concluding the extensive tour, several critical avenues for future cooperation were successfully identified. These include strengthening blue economy governance, fostering aquaculture growth, advancing scientific research and innovation, and intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Formal Memoranda of Understanding are anticipated to be signed shortly to cement these collaborative frameworks.

Through this pivotal mission, Côte d’Ivoire unequivocally reaffirms its dedication to drawing inspiration from successful African developmental models. The aim is to bolster its national blue economy strategy and champion South-South cooperation, emphasizing mutual expertise exchange and a shared commitment to sustainable development goals.