The Ivorian Minister of Agriculture, Bruno Nabagné Koné, reaffirmed the strategic role of agropoles in the economic transformation of the country, during the opening of the IFAD Regional Implementation Workshop (RIW) 2026 in Abidjan.

Valuing climate diversity to create wealth

For the Ivorian government, the key to more equitable growth lies in the regionalization of agriculture. Taking advantage of the country's diverse microclimates, the agropole strategy aims to maximize the specific potential of each zone (particularly the South and North).

"Agropoles will allow for more balanced agricultural and economic development across the entire territory," argued Bruno Nabagné Koné.

In concrete terms, this model will integrate the entire value chain:

1. Production and preservation
2. Local industrial transformation
3. Logistics and marketing

The goal is to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture by aligning with the needs of the private sector and the expectations of local communities.

IFAD calls for efficiency and real impact

For his part, Bernard Hien, IFAD's (International Fund for Agricultural Development) regional director for West and Central Africa, recalled that the biggest challenge no longer lay in financing, but rather in the rapid and qualitative execution of projects .

The 3 key pillars of IFAD for success

1. Co-responsibility: Strengthen coordination between governments, the private sector, farmers' organizations and donors.

2. Innovation: Systematizing new practices to address climate and rural challenges.

3. Impact: Placing the improvement of living conditions for rural populations at the center of every decision.

For three days in Abidjan (until June 25), experts, governments and financial partners are working on current obstacles — financial management, slow disbursements and project sustainability — in order to propose concrete solutions for the rural world.