Mr Kalilou Traore, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, has restated the country’s commitment to partner Nigeria toward improving its economic growth in 2024.

Traore made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Sunday  in Abuja, ahead of the country’s preparation to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13, 2024.

The envoy said that strategic measures had been put in place by the Ivorian government not just to attract Nigeria businesses there, but to also enable business thrive in the country.

“Our Presidency under the leadership of Alassane Ouattara is conducting the country very strongly in the way that the country will receive investors and business people all over the world.

“We are promoting this in Nigeria for Nigerians, because we want to be part of the this economic success of the country.

“To encourage Nigerians to come and do business, and expand their businesses in Côte d’Ivoire, by doing this we believe we will boost regional cooperation in a win-win situation.

“We think Nigeria has money and it is an occasion for Nigerians and Nigeria business operators to invest in Côte d’Ivoire, and expand their businesses there.”

The envoy described Côte d’Ivoire as one of the fastest growing country in the sub-region since past decades.

“Our economic growth is approximately seven per cent that is what is planned in this year 2023. Next year we are supposed to go further.

“We also have very strong macro-economic environment with a very large rate of inflation. Our country faced challenges with what is happening in the world, like COVID-19 whereby everybody suffered.

“Even though the inflation rate of Côte d’Ivoire was seven per cent last year, now we are moving to three per cent, next year we will be free 100 per cent of inflation rate,” he added.

The envoy mentioned that the population of Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire was small and that most Ivorians in Nigeria had small businesses, saying more should be done to improve trade between both countries.

“The population of Côte d’Ivoire in Nigeria is still small, most of the Ivorians here are in small businesses and not attained high level businesses.

“Some are also staff of big organisations like banks and international community, but majority are into small businesses.

“There are many Nigerians doing businesses at different levels in Côte d’Ivoire, we have Nigeria banks like UBA Plc and others in Côte d’Ivoire, this is an ongoing process ,” Traore said.