Faced with a growing deficit in fishery products, Côte d'Ivoire is undertaking a structural transformation of its aquatic sector with the support of the FAO, aiming to strengthen its food security and stimulate sustainable growth.
In an attempt to reduce its heavy dependence on imports of fishery products, Côte d'Ivoire officially launched a project on Friday, August 1, 2025, in Abidjan to support the implementation of its roadmap for the transition to a blue economy. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources (MIRAH) and supported by the FAO and the African Development Bank (BAD), marks the beginning of a national strategy aimed at sustainably exploiting aquatic resources for economic development.
The launch workshop was held at the Capitol Hotel in Cocody-Abidjan. It brought together representatives from the government, UN agencies, technical partners, researchers, and community stakeholders. This meeting follows the development of several strategic tools, including an investment plan, a development program, and a consolidated roadmap focused on blue economy issues.
88% of consumption comes from outside sources
According to Abou Bamba, special advisor to the President of the Republic, responsible for the environment, oceans, and the Abidjan Legacy program, the situation remains worrying. “Côte d'Ivoire imported 800,000 tons of fish in 2024,” he said.
Mr. Bamba pointed out that nearly 88% of national consumption of fishery products comes from outside the country. “That's huge. It's not good for our balance of payments, it's not good for the economy, and it's not good for the cost of living either,” he lamented.
For her part, Hélène N’Garnim-Ganga, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Côte d’Ivoire, reiterated the importance of this roadmap, describing the transition to a blue economy as “a strategic requirement for strengthening the resilience of coastal populations and promoting sustainable development in harmony with marine ecosystems.”
She also emphasized that this national framework must enable “the mobilization of public and private investment in favor of the blue economy and make it a lever for diversifying the national economy.” Given its cross-cutting nature, this sector touches on fishing, the environment, training, governance, and innovation, requiring synergistic action between state institutions, local authorities, the private sector, and academia.
