17/01/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 17 January, the European Union, the European Investment Bank and the Ivorian government announced the signing of a €300 million financing agreement for strategic projects in Côte d’Ivoire. The aim of this support includes reforesting 2.9 million hectares by 2030, promoting sustainable cocoa and strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s membership of the African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI). A specific partnership with the Banque Nationale d’Investissement (BNI) also targets youth employment and gender equality in the cocoa sector. The funding includes a technical assistance component to support local SMEs and agricultural cooperatives, particularly those run by women entrepreneurs. These initiatives are part of the EU’s ‘Global Gateway’ strategy (see EUROPE 13364/20, 13500/35). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)