The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire have officially launched the Agro-Industrial Pole Project in the North-East, a major initiative aimed at modernizing agricultural systems, improving market access, and strengthening climate resilience in the Zanzan region. A central feature of the project is the creation of an Aggregation and Services Centre (CAS) in Bouna, which will be developed on 25 hectares and equipped with modern processing units, cold storage facilities, logistics services, financial access points, and technology demonstration areas. This infrastructure is expected to increase the value of agricultural products, support entrepreneurship, and improve market participation for rural producers and small enterprises.
The $344.5 million project is jointly financed by IFAD, the Italian National Promotional Institution (CDP), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). It is designed as a multi-stakeholder effort focused on rural transformation, with an emphasis on adopting agricultural technologies and climate-smart farming practices. The goal is to enhance productivity while reducing vulnerability to climate-related risks, ensuring more sustainable and competitive rural economies in the region.
According to IFAD, the initiative is expected to directly benefit more than 222,000 rural residents, with a strong focus on empowering youth and women. The project will support improved irrigation across approximately 2,200 hectares of climate-resilient farmland, enhance water access, increase agricultural yields, and promote sustainable land management practices that strengthen long-term food production capacity.
Government representatives have described the project as a comprehensive response to the development needs of the North-East, noting its potential to unlock the region’s significant agricultural resources while addressing structural challenges. The initiative is positioned as a coordinated effort to boost inclusive growth, strengthen food security, and promote economic opportunities in rural communities.
IFAD also highlighted its long-term commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s rural development, noting that since 1984 it has supported over 585,000 rural households through 14 development projects totaling more than $827 million. This latest investment continues its broader mission of advancing inclusive, climate-resilient agricultural transformation and strengthening rural livelihoods across the country.
