Public Management

Francophonie: Côte d’Ivoire plans to host the next Entrepreneur gathering in 2022

Francophonie: Côte d’Ivoire plans to host the next Entrepreneur gathering in 2022
Thursday, 26 August 2021 17:42

Francophone leaders and entrepreneurs have been holding since August 24, in Paris, the first meeting of Francophone entrepreneurs. As discussions continue to reach the common goal, Abidjan is asking to host the next edition.

Abidjan could host the next edition of the Meeting of Francophone Entrepreneurs (REF). Speaking during the first edition, which started on August 24 in Paris, Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi (pictured) said his country is ready to host the next gathering.

"I would like to suggest that this meeting, which is the first of many more, be also held in Francophone Africa. I thus invite you all to Abidjan in 2022 for the next edition of our gathering for a blooming and conquering economic Francophonie,” the Ivorian head of government said.

Abidjan -the most populous city in Francophone West Africa- has become a business hub in the region in recent years. The city has already welcomed many international meetings and the Ivorian government wants to make it one of the main gateways for foreign investment in Africa.

Let’s recall that the meeting of Francophone entrepreneurs is a melting pot to strengthen economic exchanges and investments between countries sharing the French language. The Francophone world is one of the 5 major linguistic geopolitical areas, representing nearly 16% of the population and GDP of the planet. Africa alone concentrates the largest part of the world's Francophone community, and it is estimated that by 2050, 90% of speakers aged 15 to 30 will live on the continent.  

The new strategy to develop a more economic Francophonie could attract new investment opportunities for Côte d’Ivoire, but also all the other Francophone countries in Africa. However, many challenges remain to be met to make these opportunities a reality.

Intra-African trade needs improvement. In 2019, the WAEMU zone shipped over 76% of its exports to other continents (46.6% to Europe). That same year, the total volume of goods traded between the WAEMU countries only accounted for a bit more than 13% of the overall trade in the region.

Currently, the main trade partner of this region, which has 7 Francophone members, is China. Since 2016, the Middle Kingdom has been the main exporter of goods to WAEMU with a 16.7% market share in 2019 against 13.5% for France. Paris wants that trend to change.

According to Patrick Achi, only a joint action of the public and private sectors could help boost trade between France and the WAEMU region. ”It is up to us, the governors, to do everything possible so that this meeting is not just another summit. We should always promote this Francophone economic community to boost our successes under a fair institutional framework between the private sector and public authorities […] And it is up to you, Francophone entrepreneurs, to bring this new economic Francophonie to life to make it a space of prosperity and inclusiveness,” he said.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou                   

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
Highlights: • New 1% US tax on outbound remittances to take effect January 1, 2026• Africa received $100 billion in remittances in 2023, outpacing...
23% of adults in Sub-Saharan Africa saved money using mobile accounts in 2024, well above the 9% average in low- and middle-income...
• Zambia launches the Growth Investment Partners Zambia (GIP) initiative to raise over $300 million for SMEs.• The program aims to support 150 SMEs...
• Treasury secures CFA364 billion in oversubscribed bond issuance• S&P cuts Senegal’s rating to B- after discovery of hidden debt• Over CFA1,260 billion...
Most Read
01

• Inflation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) fell to a two-year low of 0....

UEMOA: Inflation Drops to 0.6% in May, Driven by Lower Food Prices
02

Flutterwave gained a BCEAO license to operate in Senegal, expanding to 35 African countries. ...

Flutterwave Gains Senegal License, Eyes Growth in $1.5T African Payments Market
03

In Africa, the private sector is widely seen as the main engine of industrialization and plays a cen...

West Africa has tools to build strong industry, says IFC’s Olivier Buyoya
04

 President Paul Biya, 92, to seek eighth term in October 2025 election In power since 19...

Cameroon: Paul Biya Officially Enters Presidential Race for Eighth Term
05

• Interbank volumes rose 18.7% in May, while rates declined across the market• The BCEAO cut its mai...

WAEMU Sees Easing Conditions on Regional Interbank Market
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.