EU and Côte d’Ivoire work on Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement

European Commission · 2026-07-17 · EU · verified record

Themes: Cross-sector · Investment screening

This agreement will reinforce the existing partnership between the two parties as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Together, the two instruments will facilitate trade, encourage sustainable investment and contribute to long-term, inclusive economic development in Côte d’Ivoire, the third-largest economy in West Africa. This reflects the EU’s commitment to widening trusted economic partnerships. At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and fragmentation of the global economy, the EU is working with global partners to foster sustainable growth, improve the investment climate and create new opportunities for businesses. The future bilateral SIFA will create a more transparent, predictable, and efficient investment climate for EU businesses in sectors with significant growth potential, including renewable energy, agri-food value chains, digital innovation, fisheries, transport and logistics, and critical raw materials. By improving the business environment, the agreement will help diversify Côte d'Ivoire's economy and create new opportunities for both EU investors and local businesses. This will complement the preferential trade regime put in place by the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Côte d’Ivoire and the EU and enable both parties to increase the benefits they derive from it. Building on the joint Sustainable Cocoa Initiative, and given the importance of cocoa for both Côte d'Ivoire and the partnership with the EU, discussions under the SIFA will also aim to strengthen cooperation on sustainable investment, traceability, and resilient cocoa value chains. Yesterday, the EU and Côte d’Ivoire held the 8th EPA Committee discussions which reaffirmed the shared commitment to fully implement EPA and to strengthen the EU-Côte d’Ivoire trade and investment relationship. Discussions in the EPA Committee also covered topics such as tariff liberalisation, better market access, customs work, intellectual property, cooperation projects, and involvement of civil society. Background On 12 June 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on an agreement on investment facilitation on behalf of the European Union with Côte d’Ivoire. The EU is Côte d'Ivoire's leading trade and investment partner.…