Côte d'Ivoire seeks industrial growth

Côte d'Ivoire is working to strengthen its industrial processing and reduce post-harvest losses, focusing on packaging equipment and technologies to boost local production and meet industry needs.

Italian companies showcase technology

Italy has brought over 20 companies to the « Plastprintpack West Africa 2026 » event in Abidjan, where they presented packaging technologies to Ivorian industrialists and aimed to form commercial partnerships.

Event features multiple fairs

The « Plastprintpack West Africa 2026 » took place alongside other industry events like « Afrik’Embal 2026 », « Food Expo », « HoReCa Expo », and « Agrofood West Africa », all held at the Abidjan Exhibition Park.

Italian firms offer specialized equipment

Italian companies displayed packaging equipment for the agro-food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors, aiming not only to supply machines but to help local industries with their transformation projects.

Italian Trade Agency supports development

Alessandro Gerbino, director of the Italian Trade Agency in Abidjan, emphasized that the collaboration involves helping local industries enhance raw materials, not just providing equipment.

Italy’s strong presence in the fair

Roberta Di Lecce, the Italian ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire, noted that 18 Italian companies, supported by the Italian Trade Agency, participated, along with those already operating in Côte d'Ivoire.

Italy’s global packaging expertise

Italy is the second-largest producer of food packaging machines globally and leads in exports of such equipment, with 10.9 billion euros in foreign sales, according to the German association of machine builders (VDMA).

Côte d'Ivoire’s current processing rates

Côte d'Ivoire processes 43% of its cocoa and 46% of its cashew nut production, but still relies heavily on imports for packaging technologies and plastic raw materials.

Economic goals for local industry

The Ivorian government aims to raise the contribution of industry to the gross domestic product (GDP) from 22.7% to 30%, seeking to reduce reliance on imports and boost local production.

Challenges of post-harvest losses

The country faces significant post-harvest losses, estimated at 4 billion dollars annually, and the national packaging market, valued at 500 billion CFA francs, remains largely dependent on imported technologies.