Canada-Côte d'Ivoire relations
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Bilateral relations
Bilateral relations between Canada and Côte d'Ivoire are close and cordial. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1962, shortly after Côte d'Ivoire's independence in 1960. The two countries frequently collaborate in international and multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations, La Francophonie and the African Development Bank.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Canada has been represented by the Embassy of Canada to Côte d'Ivoire in Abidjan since 1970.
Cote d’Ivoire has been represented in Canada by the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Canada since 1972.
Trade relations
Canada is a major partner and key player in the Ivorian economy, with Canadian direct investment of $425 million in 2025 and assets in the mining sector estimated at $1.6 billion in 2024.
Côte d'Ivoire is Canada's fourth-largest bilateral trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa. Bilateral trade amounted to $1.2 billion in 2025 (exports $140.0 million / imports $1.05 billion). Exports in 2025 consisted mainly of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts as well as fertilizers, while imports consisted mainly of agricultural products, particularly cocoa products.
Côte d'Ivoire shows a desire to diversify trade and pursue industrialization, and its bilateral trade relations with Canada has significant growth potential, particularly in the extractive industries (mining, oil, and gas), infrastructure, agriculture, education, and clean technologies.
The country is also home to the headquarters of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM) of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). It is also a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Investments between Canada and Côte d’Ivoire continue to be protected by the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which entered into force in December 2015. The two countries also signed a double taxation treaty in 1983 with a view to avoiding double taxation with regard to taxes on income and preventing tax evasion.
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Development
In 2024-2025, Canada's international assistance to Côte d'Ivoire totalled $41.4 million. Canadian programming in Côte d'Ivoire helps advance shared priorities for economic growth and security through strengthened governance and a more business-friendly environment. Particular attention is being paid to strengthening the resilience of populations in northern Côte d'Ivoire affected by the crises in the Sahel.
In keeping with Canada's priorities, Canada’s Africa Strategy and Côte d'Ivoire's poverty reduction and economic growth objectives, Canada aims to:
- Strengthen an inclusive and sustainable economic and business environment: To help structure innovative markets, programming plays a targeted role in diversifying economic opportunities and training a skilled workforce.
- Improving the accessibility of quality social services for vulnerable people: The deployment of technical and institutional support to the authorities and the strengthening of empowerment and awareness initiatives will strengthen people's ability to access the services they need.
- Strengthening inclusive, resilient and stable governance systems: Strengthening public and civil society institutions and building the population's capacity to participate in public affairs will support responsible, transparent, inclusive and conflict-resilient governance.
Consult the Project Browser for more information on development projects in Côte d'Ivoire or Canada’s International Assistance Expenditures dashboard for more details.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Côte d'Ivoire work closely in multilateral forums, such as:
- La Francophonie
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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