Exhibiting at Thaifex - Anuga Asia 2025

Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export, headquartered in Abidjan, is the national export promotion agency of Ivory Coast. Operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and SME Promotion, the agency plays a pivotal role in the development, support, and internationalization of Ivorian companies across all non-oil sectors. Its mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of Ivorian products and services by offering tailored support to exporters and fostering strategic partnerships around the world.

Company Background and Core Mission

Founded to align with Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic vision of economic diversification and inclusive trade growth, Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export is mandated to implement the National Export Strategy. The agency is led by Dr. Kaladji FADIGA, whose leadership emphasizes value-added exports, market intelligence, and SME empowerment.

The agency serves as an institutional bridge between the Ivorian private sector and international markets, ensuring that local producers, processors, and service providers are equipped to access and expand in global trade channels.

Services and Functions

Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export provides a wide range of structured services, segmented across critical pillars of export development:

• Export Diagnostics and Advisory

  • Company evaluations to determine export readiness
  • Export planning and compliance consulting

• Market Intelligence and International Positioning

  • Access to sector-specific export opportunities
  • Country-specific demand analysis and trade reports

• Product and Service Promotion

  • Facilitation of participation in international trade fairs and B2B forums
  • Product showcases and trade missions abroad

• International Development Support

  • Branding assistance and international certification guidance
  • Strategic marketing and digital outreach planning

• Logistics and Customs Facilitation

  • Support with customs documentation and cross-border procedures
  • Linkages with shipping and logistics networks

• Financial and Legal Assistance

  • Matchmaking with export financing schemes and development banks
  • Legal advisory on trade agreements, compliance, and intellectual property

• Capacity Building

  • Training modules on export management, quality standards, and negotiation
  • Coaching sessions for SMEs and cooperatives

• Digital Trade Support

  • Tools for B2B e-commerce readiness
  • Digital platforms for virtual trade events and product promotion

These services are designed to cater to both new exporters and established businesses aiming to diversify markets or enhance value addition.

Specialization and Core USP

The agency’s unique role lies in its position as a national-level export integrator, supporting the entire ecosystem of trade promotion. Its strategic advantages include:

• Access to Governmental and Multilateral Partnerships
  • Works with the International Trade Centre (ITC), UNCTAD, Afreximbank, and ECOWAS
• Sectoral Expertise
  • Special focus on value chains such as cocoa derivatives, cashew products, textiles, tropical fruits, wood processing, cosmetics, and artisan crafts
• Exporter Database and B2B Matching
  • Maintains a national registry of exporters for matchmaking with foreign buyers
• Integrated Trade Promotion Strategy
  • Ensures synergy across embassies, trade counselors, and investment agencies

Market Impact and Export Performance

Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export supports thousands of exporters annually through direct and indirect programs. Based on data from Côte d’Ivoire's trade reports and export tracking:

• Côte d’Ivoire’s non-oil exports exceeded USD 8.5 billion in 2023
• Over 700 SMEs benefited from training or market access facilitation through the agency in 2022–2023
• Participated in over 20 international trade shows including SIAL Paris, Gulf Food Dubai, and the China International Import Expo
• Supported key trade missions to West Africa, the EU, Middle East, and East Asia
• Played a major role in the internationalization of processed cocoa, rubber products, tropical juices, and traditional garments

Target Beneficiaries

The agency works across multiple tiers of the export sector:

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Cooperatives and Producer Associations
• Export-ready Startups and Agro-industrial Firms
• State-Owned Enterprises and Parastatal Processors
• Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce

It also engages with international buyers seeking Ivorian products and provides background support in sourcing, trade validation, and supply chain vetting.

Capabilities

Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export has developed a robust institutional framework that includes:

• Regional Antennas: Decentralized presence to support interior regions
• Trade Data Infrastructure: Access to customs, sectoral, and macroeconomic trade databases
• Digital Tools: Integration of CRM and exporter information systems
• Export Training Hubs: Certified capacity-building modules aligned with ITC SME Competitiveness standards

Through its operational capacity, the agency supports both national policy execution and customized SME-level interventions.

Certifications and Institutional Compliance

As a public agency, Côte d’Ivoire Export operates under national governance protocols and aligns with:

• WAEMU and ECOWAS Trade Standards
• African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Compliance Mechanisms
• OECD Export Promotion Guidelines
• African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

These alignments reinforce the agency’s legitimacy and effectiveness in global trade negotiations and partnerships.

Stakeholder Testimonials and Impact

Public and private sector stakeholders have praised the agency for:

• “Enhancing the international footprint of Côte d’Ivoire’s agro-processing industry.”
• “Empowering women-led SMEs with market intelligence and coaching.”
• “Facilitating business matchmaking with real results.”

Surveys from the Ministry of Commerce in 2022 show that over 85% of beneficiary SMEs reported improved export performance following participation in agency-led programs.

Major Achievements

• 2019: Hosted the inaugural Côte d’Ivoire Export Days in Abidjan
• 2020: Rolled out the National Export Strategy with sector-specific action plans
• 2021: Launched the Exporter Digital Registry platform
• 2022: Signed MoUs with ITC, UNIDO, and Morocco's export agency to boost technical cooperation
• 2023: Coordinated the Ivorian Pavilion at five global expos with more than 120 participating companies

Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export is at the heart of the country’s transformation into a diversified, export-led economy. By connecting Ivorian producers to the world through intelligence, innovation, and institutional backing, it drives inclusive growth and enhances the global visibility of “Made in Côte d’Ivoire.”