The outgoing director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Côte d’Ivoire, Adrien Haye, has been elevated to the Ivorian National Order, marking the conclusion of his four-year mission in the country. The ceremony took place on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Budget’s headquarters in the Sciam building on Plateau, where Minister Adama Coulibaly presented the distinction. The event was attended by French Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Jean-Christophe Belliard and key AFD collaborators.
On behalf of President Alassane Ouattara and Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, Minister Coulibaly commended Adrien Haye’s dedication to Côte d’Ivoire’s development during his tenure. He highlighted Haye’s hands-on involvement in identifying investment opportunities across multiple sectors of the Ivorian economy since his arrival in 2022.
Minister Coulibaly emphasized that Haye played a pivotal role in structuring financing, formulating project proposals, and overseeing their implementation. Under his leadership, the AFD mobilized 934 million euros—approximately 623 billion FCFA—through sovereign loans and resources from the Debt Relief and Development Contract (C2D), bolstering the country’s macroeconomic stability.
Additionally, five new sovereign loan agreements totaling nearly 500 million euros (around 330 billion FCFA) were signed during this period, alongside the allocation of the third C2D in alignment with the National Development Plan (PND) 2021-2025. The minister underscored that these commitments solidified the AFD’s position as Côte d’Ivoire’s top bilateral partner, a feat made possible by Haye’s contributions.
Deeply moved by the honor—the first state recognition he has received—Haye expressed gratitude to Ivorian authorities. Reflecting on his tenure, he reaffirmed his commitment to the country, stating, “I am confident that the portfolio we have expanded, particularly with your teams, Mr. Minister, demonstrates our success. I will continue to advocate passionately for Côte d’Ivoire’s interests.”
This decoration celebrates four years of robust collaboration between the AFD and Ivorian officials, characterized by substantial financial support for the nation’s economic and social progress.
