Algeria-Ivory Coast: Signing of a Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement in the Fields of Hydrocarbons and Mining

In a statement to the press following the signing ceremony, Mr Arkab said that this agreement provides a legal and institutional framework designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and to "open up broad prospects for the development of joint projects covering the various stages of the value chain, from research and exploration to refining and petrochemicals, including the transport and marketing of petroleum products, as well as training and the transfer of expertise, notably through the Sonatrach Group and specialist training institutions, in addition to cooperation in the exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources".

The agreement was signed during the Ivorian minister’s working visit to Algeria, which took place from Saturday to Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, with responsibility for Mines, Ms Karima Bakir Tafer; the CEO of the Sonatrach Group, Mr Nour Eddine Daoudi; the Managing Director of the Sonarem Group, Mr Reda Belhadj, the President of the National Agency for the Development of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), Mr Samir Bekhti, the President of the Hydrocarbons Regulatory Authority (ARH), Mr Amine Remini, the President of the National Agency for Mining Activities (ANAM), Mr Mourad Hanifi, and the Director of the Executive Committee of the Algerian Geological Survey Agency (ASGA), Mr Karim Mokhtar, as well as senior officials from both sides.

Mr Arkab described the visit as an "important opportunity to strengthen dialogue and discuss ways of developing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors, in line with the shared commitment to consolidate African partnerships and strengthen South-South cooperation in strategic sectors, in accordance with the guidelines set out by the President of the Republic, Mr Abdelmadjid Tebboune".

The Minister of State also emphasised Algeria’s willingness to support Côte d’Ivoire by sharing its technical and institutional expertise and strengthening trade links, particularly supplying the Ivorian market with refined petroleum products.

He emphasised the importance of the mining sector in cooperation in exploration, extraction and utilisation of natural resources, to contributing to the creation of added value and supporting economic development in both countries.

For his part, the Ivorian minister stated that "this agreement, the result of consultations launched in 2024, is a testament to the strength of bilateral relations" between the two countries, adding that it covers the entire value chain in the mining, oil and energy sectors.

The Ivorian delegation, comprising representatives from several state-owned enterprises, will visit Sonatrach’s facilities and specialist units to examine technical aspects and strengthen cooperation, he said, expressing the hope that implementation agreements would soon be reached regarding priority projects to be carried out within a reasonable timeframe.

He also noted that his visit was part of his participation in the 8th Conference of the Algerian Gas Industry Association (AIG), scheduled to take place in Oran.