Côte d’Ivoire’s new membership in the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program supports deeper economic cooperation across high-growth Arab and African trade corridors, where intra-regional commerce continues to expand steadily.
The Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program has formally welcomed the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire as its newest Member following the signing of the Membership Agreement during the 5th AATB Board of Governors Meeting in Abuja, hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Agreement was signed by Eng. Nasser Al-Thekair, GM Trade & Business Development at the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), and Mr. Clement Kouakou, Deputy Director of the Ministerial Cabinet, Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of Côte d’Ivoire.
Côte d’Ivoire’s accession underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Arab and African partners at a time when regional economic cooperation is accelerating. West Africa remains one of the continent’s most dynamic trade hubs, while trade between Africa and the Arab region continues to grow, supported by expanding investment flows, rising demand for agri-food products, and new industrial and logistics corridors. AATB’s framework helps bridge these markets by creating structured platforms for trade-led development and value-chain integration.
Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on the Côte d’Ivoire Country Program, a structured roadmap that will support export competitiveness, investment promotion, industrial upgrading, logistics capacity building, quality infrastructure, and digital trade readiness. Planned interventions include feasibility studies for quality control laboratories, support for e-commerce platforms for export-oriented SMEs, workforce development initiatives for logistics operators, and targeted B2B matchmaking in priority value chains such as construction and agri-food.
Côte d’Ivoire’s membership marks another milestone in AATB’s growing engagement with African economies looking to deepen intra-regional trade, enhance supply chain connectivity, and strengthen their role in expanding Arab-Africa commerce.
