The Minister of State and Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, held a video conference on Wednesday with the Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy and Mines in charge of Mines, Karima Bakir Tafer, along with several ministry officials.
This meeting follows previous exchanges between the two countries and aims to explore ways to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation, particularly in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to consolidate African partnerships and enhance South-South cooperation in strategic sectors that directly impact economic and social development.
During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed the current state and future prospects of cooperation across the entire hydrocarbon value chain, ranging from research and exploration to refining, petrochemicals, and the transportation and marketing of petroleum products, as well as training and capacity building.
Both parties expressed their desire to elevate relations to a strategic partnership based on mutual interests. The Ivorian minister praised Algeria’s expertise, particularly through the Sonatrach group, and called for increased cooperation with Petroci through joint technical teams and exchange visits to implement concrete projects.
Arkab reaffirmed Algeria’s readiness to support Côte d’Ivoire by transferring its technical and institutional expertise and intensifying training and capacity-building programs through specialized institutes. This support aims to contribute to the development of an integrated and sustainable hydrocarbon industry.
Regarding the mining sector, both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in research, exploration, exploitation, and production, as well as the processing of mineral resources. They focused on the exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer to maximize the value of natural resources and achieve economic growth for both nations.
The discussions also covered the prospects of supplying Côte d’Ivoire with refined petroleum products and strengthening commercial relations between the institutions of both countries in this field.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue consultations and coordination to update and complete the legal framework for bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons and mines. This update aims to keep pace with institutional developments on both sides and pave the way for the signing of practical agreements in the near future.
