IFAD $344.5M Agro-Industrial Project Launched in Côte d'Ivoire

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Press release | 21 April 2026

IFAD and Côte d’Ivoire launch US$344.5 million agro-industrial project to stimulate inclusive agricultural growth

Côte d'Ivoire West and Central Africa Agricultural technology Agricultural Research for Development Resilience Climate

Media contact Romuald Ngomssi Regional Communications Officer (ESA & WCA)

[email protected] Abidjan, 21 April 2026. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire officially launched the Agro-Industrial Pole Project in the North-East, aimed at modernizing agricultural systems, increasing access to markets and building climate resilience throughout the Zanzan region. This initiative involves the creation of the Aggregation and Services Centre (CAS), which will be located in Bouna on 25 hectares of land. The CAS will be an innovative agro-industrial pole with modern processing units, storage and cold chain infrastructure, logistical services and financial service outlets, as well as technology demonstration areas. The CAS will increase the value of agricultural products, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster market entry for rural producers and emerging rural enterprises.

The US$344.5 million project is cofinanced by IFAD, the Italian National Promotional Institution (CDP) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) and is grounded in a strong multi-stakeholder partnership designed to accelerate rural transformation and increase the competitiveness of rural producers and local enterprises. Its emphasis will be on agricultural technologies and sustainable innovative farming practices designed to boost productivity while reducing vulnerability to climate risks.

“This investment reflects our common engagement with rural communities and takes advantage of Côte d’Ivoire’s leading role in promoting inclusive sustainable agricultural transformation, opening up economic opportunities and offering rural regions of the country a brighter future,” declared Hermann Messan, IFAD Country Director for Côte d’Ivoire.

IFAD’s investment aims to reach more than 222,000 people living in rural areas, with priority given to youth and women. This financing will make it possible to boost production capacity on some 2,200 hectares of climate-resilient irrigated agricultural land, improve access to water, increase yields and promote sustainable land use.

“The Agro‑Industrial Hub Project in the North‑East represents a structured, holistic, coherent and ambitious response to the development challenges facing this important area of our national territory, despite its immense agricultural potential,” said Angui Tehua, Director General for Production and Food Security, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production.

Since 1984, IFAD’s investments in Côte d’Ivoire have benefited more than 585,000 rural households. Over the course of four decades, the Fund has invested in 14 development projects totalling US$827.97 million, US$289.5 million of it in the form of direct financing, attesting to its long-term engagement in inclusive, large-scale, climate-resilient agricultural transformation.

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Press Release No.: IFAD/27/2026

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is the only international financial institution exclusively focused on transforming rural economies. IFAD invests in rural people and their communities, building food security, shared prosperity and stability. Today, IFAD and its partners have nearly US$23 billion invested in ongoing projects that are transforming rural economies.

A wide range of high-quality photographs and broadcast-quality video content of IFAD’s work in rural communities are available for download from our DigiHub.

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