On a working visit to Abidjan from August 4 to 6, 2026, the Honorable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, was received in audience by the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kaba Nialé. On this occasion, the two heads of Canadian and Ivorian diplomacy signed and confirmed financing from the Development Financial Institution of Canada (FinDev Canada) in the amount of 65 million Canadian dollars, or 27 billion CFA francs, granted to NSIA Banque.

This envelope aims to strengthen access to financial services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ivory Coast, with particular attention to those owned or managed by women. The two parties also announced the launch of negotiations to expand the air transport agreement which has linked the two countries since 1987, in order to facilitate trade and relations between peoples.

This financial partnership marks a first for the Canadian institution in Côte d'Ivoire. According to the press release relating to the operation, this is its first direct investment in the country. Part of this envelope will be directed towards small and medium-sized Ivorian businesses. NSIA Banque plans to devote 20 million euros, or half of its share of the financing, to this segment. These resources should enable SMEs to have more financial capacity to develop their activities, invest and support job creation.

The system also includes a component devoted to female entrepreneurship. 12 million euros, corresponding to 30% of the total funding, will be reserved for businesses led by women. This orientation aims to strengthen their access to the financial resources necessary for their growth. The financing finally includes an environmental component. An envelope of 8 million euros will be devoted to climate-related initiatives, in particular through the financing of photovoltaic installations intended for commercial, industrial and administrative buildings. NSIA Banque thus intends to support investments promoting the production of renewable energy and more efficient use of electricity.

An air transport agreement to be expanded to support trade

The second axis of the Honorable Anand's visit focused on connectivity. The two parties announced the launch of negotiations to expand the air transport agreement which has linked Côte d'Ivoire and Canada since September 3, 1987, which entered into force on April 23, 1990. The objective is to strengthen trade and relations between the two peoples. The announcement was confirmed during the interview with Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet Koné. It comes in a context of sustained growth. Trade between the two countries reached 1.2 billion Canadian dollars in 2025, a record level according to the joint declaration. Canadian mining assets were valued at $1.6 billion in 2024.

A new political framework to structure investments

To frame this dynamic, Ministers Kaba Nialé and Anita Anand signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the establishment of a bilateral consultation mechanism. The text establishes a regular dialogue and carries the ambition of a modern and balanced partnership. The sectors identified cover mining, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, digital technologies, transport and the green economy. The whole is aligned with the National Development Plan PND 2026-2030 and with Canada's Strategy for Africa. On the security front, Abidjan and Ottawa are committed to intensifying their cooperation in the fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime, cybersecurity and maritime security, with the contribution of the Jacqueville International Counterterrorism Academy.