The Ivorian government is accelerating its industrial decentralization strategy. On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Kalil Konaté, visited the Mé region to inspect the site of the future Adzopé Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This large-scale project aims to transform the local economy and become a cornerstone of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (PND).

Key figures for the project

The Adzopé Special Economic Zone (SEZ) covers a site of 432 hectares (initiated in 2015 by the Head of State) and has major economic objectives:

1. Expected jobs: Approximately 51,000 positions to be generated.
2. Targeted private investments: Nearly 225 billion FCFA.
3. Public funding: 52 billion FCFA from the State (currently being negotiated with the BOAD) for basic infrastructure (roads, water, networks).

Strategic issues: Beyond Abidjan

The main objective of this initiative is to break with the industrial concentration of the economic capital by creating new growth hubs in the interior of the country.

“We came to Adzopé to reaffirm President Alassane Ouattara’s vision of placing industrialization at the heart of the next National Development Plan (PND) for 2026-2030,” declared Minister Kalil Konaté. He reiterated the national ambition: to transform Côte d’Ivoire from the leading producer to the leading local processor of its agricultural raw materials.

Located less than 85 kilometers from Abidjan, the Adzopé site benefits from a highly strategic geographical position to capture economic flows.

Progress and infrastructure

The field visit, carried out in the presence of local authorities — including the regional prefect Gueu Zro Simplice and the mayor of Adzopé Florence Achi — made it possible to observe the technical progress:

1. Energy: The electrical infrastructure projects undertaken by CI-Énergies are at an advanced stage. A substation with five feeders has already been built, three of which will be exclusively reserved for supplying the industrial zone.
2. Social dialogue: The minister welcomed the constructive exchanges with traditional chiefs and landowners, reiterating the government's commitment to prioritizing a collaborative approach to land management.