Côte d’Ivoire strikes $7 billion U.S. energy deal to fuel industrial ambitions

• New refinery, offshore oil blocks and rural electrification projects secured
• Abidjan steps up push to become West Africa’s energy hub

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – Côte d’Ivoire is making its boldest pitch yet to cement its place as West Africa’s next energy powerhouse. The government has announced nearly $7 billion worth of agreements with three U.S. firms—part of a sweeping plan to supercharge infrastructure, tap untapped reserves, and electrify hundreds of rural communities. The deals, signed during a high-level business summit hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Abidjan, signal the country’s growing bet on foreign capital to power its development push.