Latest news with #CEPICI
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Côte d'Ivoire Senior Delegation to Visit Aberdeen — Strengthening Scotland-Africa Ties
The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) ( is delighted to announce that a senior-level delegation from Côte d'Ivoire will attend the Energy Exports Conference in Aberdeen on 3 June 2025, followed by exclusive roundtables and site visits on 4-5 June. This landmark visit marks a major step forward in strengthening trade, investment and knowledge exchange between Scotland and one of West Africa's fastest-growing economies. The delegation includes high-level representatives from the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum; Ministry of Environment; Ministry of Vocational Training and Côte d'Ivoire's Investment Promotion Centre (CEPICI). Together, they will explore opportunities for partnership across key sectors including hydrocarbons, renewable energy, hydrogen, maritime environmental management and education&skills training. With ambitious national goals — from boosting oil and gas production to achieving 42% renewable electricity generation by 2030, and from strengthening coastal sustainability to developing a future-ready workforce — Côte d'Ivoire offers a wealth of opportunities for Scottish expertise and innovation. The Côte d'Ivoire delegation will play a central role in keynote sessions and panel discussions at the Energy Exports Conference on 3 June, with pre-booked one-to-one meetings available that afternoon. On 4–5 June, SABA will host sector-specific roundtables and site visits focused on energy, environment, maritime and skills, giving Scottish organisations an exceptional opportunity to engage in deeper discussions and showcase the best that Scotland has to offer in these sectors. Frazer Lang, Chief Executive of SABA, commented: 'We are incredibly proud to have facilitated this historic delegation visit. Côte d'Ivoire is one of West Africa's most dynamic markets, with a strong focus on energy, renewable energy and workforce development. For Scottish companies, this is an extraordinary chance to establish meaningful partnerships and tap into a region full of opportunity. This visit also highlights the value SABA brings to its members — creating access, opening doors and helping businesses turn ambition into impact.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA). About the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA): SABA is the preeminent non-political, Africa focussed, members trade organisation with an unrivalled board of experienced directors which promotes trade, investment and knowledge sharing between Scotland's world class expertise and Africa's priority sectors including energy, agriculture, the blue economy, healthcare, skills training and education by leveraging extensive commercial, trade, political and government contacts across Scotland and Africa. As part of this, our team organises private meetings, round tables, seminars, conferences, global trade missions and offers market research, intelligence sharing and consultancy services.
Zawya
09-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Scotland-Côte d'Ivoire: Sparking New Collaborations Through Research & Innovation Exchange
Last week, the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) ( was proud to host the Scotland–Côte d'Ivoire: Research&Innovation Exchange, a dynamic and insightful webinar that brought together more than 50 attendees from both countries. The event focused on building bridges between universities, research institutes and innovation-driven organisations across Côte d'Ivoire and Scotland. With representation from academia, research institutions, government agencies and private sector actors, the discussion explored how collaborative partnerships can address pressing challenges and unlock mutual opportunities — particularly in agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure and education. One of the standout themes of the exchange was sectoral alignment. Both Côte d'Ivoire and Scotland share ambitions around sustainable agriculture, green energy transition and technological innovation. This webinar helped identify where those priorities overlap — and how collaboration can amplify impact. From tackling food security through climate-smart agriculture to boosting capacity in clean energy research, the potential for partnership is tangible and exciting. Another pressing issue that emerged was the skills shortage faced by both countries, particularly in sectors that are growing fast but require specialist knowledge. Participants discussed the importance of developing joint training programmes, knowledge exchange initiatives and twinning models between universities to help bridge this gap. Perhaps most encouraging was the momentum generated during and after the session. Conversations between Scottish and Ivorian organisations have already begun. We are seeing meaningful steps being taken towards developing formal partnerships, co-designed research projects and even potential staff and student exchange programmes. "This webinar is part of a wider series of initiatives we're delivering with partners in Côte d'Ivoire, all aimed at building momentum behind what we believe will become a significant and mutually beneficial trade and innovation relationship between our two countries," said Frazer Lang, CEO of the Scottish Africa Business Association. "We're seeing strong appetite on both sides, and SABA is excited to be helping shape the foundation of long-term partnerships." SABA is proud to have been at the forefront of bringing this initiative together with support from the Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs Sara Amani and her team, along with Mr Franck Sahou of CEPICI. As an organisation that exists to build meaningful commercial, research and innovation ties between Scotland and Africa, this exchange reflects our ongoing commitment to creating platforms where connections spark action. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA). About the Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA): SABA is the preeminent non-political, Africa focussed, members trade organisation with an unrivalled board of experienced directors which promotes trade, investment and knowledge sharing between Scotland's world class expertise and Africa's priority sectors including energy, agriculture, the blue economy, healthcare, skills training and education by leveraging extensive commercial, trade, political and government contacts across Scotland and Africa. As part of this, our team organises private meetings, round tables, seminars, conferences, global trade missions and offers market research, intelligence sharing and consultancy services.
