Côte d’Ivoire secures world bank and eni partnership for energy transition and sustainable development

In a significant move for its economic future, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the World Bank Group formalized five financing agreements totaling 875 million dollars, equivalent to approximately 525 billion CFA francs, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The signing ceremony, held in Abidjan-Cocody, also featured a tripartite Letter of Intent with the Italian energy giant Eni, aimed at supporting the crucial development of the nation’s Gas Master Plan.

These substantial new funds are integral to the ongoing strategic collaboration between the World Bank Group and Côte d’Ivoire. They are designed to bolster the government’s structural reform agenda, stimulate private sector investment, enhance public financial governance, and accelerate critical investments in local development and human capital.

A core focus of the funded initiatives is to improve youth employability and skill development across the country. Furthermore, significant investments will target energy infrastructure, particularly leveraging natural gas to foster regional electricity market integration, aligning seamlessly with Côte d’Ivoire’s climate commitments.

Speaking at the event, Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, the World Bank’s Operations Director for Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, Guinea, and Togo, commended the Ivorian authorities for their decisive leadership in realizing this strategic financing package. She underscored the World Bank’s evolving approach in the energy sector, emphasizing its commitment to supporting solutions tailored to each country’s unique context, including the strategic use of natural gas where it is indispensable for universal electricity access.

Uwanyiligira specifically acknowledged the Ivorian Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, hailing him as the “champion of this program.” She highlighted his instrumental role in convincing the World Bank President to integrate natural gas into the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the African Development Bank.

Reflecting on the discussions that shaped this strategic shift, Uwanyiligira stated, “If the Bank does not consider investment in the gas sector, which is the resource utilized by most countries, we will not be able to achieve the goal of providing electricity access to 300 million Africans.”

She also praised the remarkable speed of the project’s development, describing it as one of the fastest in the World Bank’s history. “We prepared this project in four months. The government and World Bank teams worked tirelessly,” she revealed, applauding the dedication of experts from both sides.

The Director further emphasized the Minister’s personal dedication throughout the process, noting his exclusive travel for this dossier, which, she asserted, demonstrated the strategic importance of this project for Côte d’Ivoire’s energy future.

Beyond the financing agreements, the signing of the Letter of Intent between the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, the World Bank, and Eni Côte d’Ivoire Limited marks a pivotal step in advancing the national energy strategy.

This new partnership is exclusively dedicated to conducting joint analytical studies vital for preparing the robust development of Côte d’Ivoire’s gas sector. Operating within its mandate, the World Bank will provide specialized technical expertise to assess the requirements for natural gas transport, processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure, particularly within the midstream and downstream segments, without engaging in exploration and production activities.

The three partners will also undertake essential studies for the construction of future natural gas infrastructure and for establishing a robust regulatory and institutional framework capable of attracting the private investments crucial for the sector’s growth. The overarching goal is to sustainably harness national gas resources, thereby boosting electricity generation, supporting the country’s industrialization, and solidifying Côte d’Ivoire’s position as a regional energy hub.

The Letter of Intent is built upon a complementary division of roles among the three partners. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire will provide strategic oversight, while the World Bank offers technical and financial support, notably through the PRIME-GAS project. Eni, in turn, contributes its renowned expertise in developing large-scale integrated gas projects.