• The two countries sign a deal covering the full oil and gas value chain
• Agreement includes training, technology transfer, and joint projects
• Côte d’Ivoire looks to scale up output after major offshore discoveries

Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a broad agreement to cooperate across the entire oil and gas value chain. The deal was signed Saturday,

March 28, in Algiers. It sets a framework for joint projects spanning exploration, production, processing, and commercialization, according to details reported by the state news agency APS.

Officials say the agreement is meant to open opportunities across the petroleum and natural gas sectors. It also includes plans for skills transfer, training programs, and technical support, extending beyond hydrocarbons into mining.

The agreement was signed during an official visit by Côte d’Ivoire’s minister of mines, petroleum, and energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly. Together with his Algerian counterpart, Mohamed Arkab, he outlined a structured framework to guide cooperation between public institutions and companies in both countries.

The deal fits into Algeria’s broader effort to build energy partnerships across Africa. In mid-February 2026, the country signed a similar cooperation framework with Burkina Faso, covering hydrocarbons, energy, mining, and training. That arrangement includes fuel supply, expanded trade in liquefied petroleum gas, stronger storage and distribution capacity, and exchanges of technical expertise.

For Côte d’Ivoire, the partnership offers access to Algeria’s experience in the sector. The country has seen oil activity accelerate since 2021, following major offshore discoveries at the Baleine and Calao fields by Italy’s Eni.

These deepwater fields hold more than 2.5 billion barrels of crude, along with significant gas reserves. National production is expected to rise sharply by 2027–2028.

The agreement also comes as Algeria moves to export its energy expertise. As previously reported by Ecofin Agency, the state-owned utility Sonelgaz recently launched Sonelgaz International, a subsidiary focused on expanding operations abroad and building partnerships in multiple markets.

Abdel-Latif Boureima