In Ivory Coast, Cyril Ramaphosa wants to strengthen commercial ties

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (right) received his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on December 2, 2021. REUTERS - LUC GNAGO

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Before landing in Ghana, the South African president paid a 48-hour state visit to Côte d'Ivoire.

This Friday, December 3, he addressed the Ivorian private sector within the framework of an “Ivory Coast-South Africa Economic Forum”.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan,

Pierre Pinto

" 

We want to buy from you and we want you to buy from us, 

" the South African president told Ivorian bosses.

The volume of trade between Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa is increasing: 260 billion FCFA in 2018, 370 billion in 2020. The two countries intend to do much better.

And after having visited the port of Abidjan, Cyril Ramaphosa was full of praise for recognizing in front of the Ivorian employers the attractions of Côte d'Ivoire.

"

 It is a country which knows where it is going and which has a clear vision,

" flattered the South African president.

 And I think we've come to the right place.

Côte d'Ivoire is a strategic trading partner for South Africa.

And there is huge potential for business growth.

If we work together, we can fully enjoy the benefits of Zlecaf.

 "

"Sister Nations"

For his part, Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi praised the strengths of the National Development Plan which provides for 105 billion dollars in investments over five years, three quarters of which goes to the private sector.

And called upon to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Free Trade Zone, the Zlecaf to the Yamoussoukro-Pretoria axis, which he calls for.

“

Our nations are sister nations that it is up to us to make progress together ever more closely to build on the axis connecting Yamoussoukro to Pretoria a new and south-south model of cooperation and efficient, sustainable and shared development.

This is the whole purpose of such an economic forum: advancing our mutual knowledge, advancing the understanding of our entrepreneurs.

 "

The South Africa – Côte d'Ivoire Economic Forum will be held every two years.

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  • Ivory Coast

  • South Africa

  • Trade and Exchanges

  • Cyril Ramaphosa