Strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean
Côte d’Ivoire is making significant strides in its South-South cooperation strategy through a dedicated diplomatic mission to Mauritius and Seychelles. Led by Sidi Tiémoko Touré, the Minister of Animal and Fishery Resources, this working tour took place from June 10 to 12, 2026, aiming to bolster the nation’s maritime and aquatic sectors.
This initiative serves as a cornerstone for the implementation of the Ivorian national blue economy strategy. The government views this sector as a vital engine for ecological growth, employment generation, and the sustainable optimization of marine and fishery resources.
Strategic dialogues in Mauritius
The first leg of the mission brought the Ivorian delegation to Mauritius, where Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré held high-level discussions with Arvin Boolell Gosk, the Mauritian Minister of Blue Economy, Fisheries, and Agro-industry. The talks centered on deepening bilateral ties regarding aquaculture development and the responsible management of oceanic resources.
Mauritian authorities expressed a strong commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions. This support is expected to manifest through knowledge sharing, specialized training programs, and joint ventures. Both nations are currently finalizing a memorandum of understanding to provide a formal structure for this burgeoning partnership.
Technical exchanges in Seychelles
In Seychelles, the Ivorian mission focused on the practical governance of the blue economy. Minister Touré met with Wallace Cosgrow, the minister overseeing the sector, along with various technical experts. These sessions covered the modernization of value chains, the protection of fish stocks, and robust measures to combat illegal fishing activities.
The visit included on-site inspections of port facilities in Victoria, Providence, and Cascade. The delegation also toured a local hatchery and the Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) at the University of Seychelles, gaining insights into cutting-edge maritime research and innovation.
A future-oriented partnership
By the conclusion of the tour, several priority areas for collaboration were established, including:
- Oceanic governance and policy alignment.
- Aquaculture technology and infrastructure.
- Scientific research and maritime innovation.
- Surveillance and the fight against illicit fishing.
Official protocols are expected to be signed shortly to formalize these agreements. This mission reaffirms Côte d’Ivoire’s determination to adopt proven African success stories to refine its own national development goals while promoting sustainable South-South expertise sharing.
