Massimo Scalorbi, head of the European Union mission in Côte d’Ivoire, revealed that the EU intends to allocate an additional €10 million ($10.7 million) to support the “Food Sector Support Program.”
Scalorbi stated that the program, initiated in 2018, has received initial funding exceeding $21 million, aiming to boost the production and marketing of food products in Côte d’Ivoire.
“The European Union has fostered favorable conditions for the most food-insecure partner countries in recent years,” Scalorbi explained, adding that this support aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative strategy to bolster sustainable agricultural sectors in partner nations like Côte d’Ivoire.
Ramatou Kolybaly, director of crop and food security at the Ivorian Ministry of Agriculture, noted that the EU’s support targets enhancing professional, efficient, and organized vegetable and cassava sectors, offering new employment opportunities, as reported by local media.
Furthermore, the European assistance aims to enhance food sector governance at institutional and private sector levels.
The European Commission launched its “Global Gateway” initiative in 2021 to compete with China’s “Belt and Road Initiative,” primarily focusing on infrastructure investment worldwide.
In other news, authorities in Côte d’Ivoire announced the discovery of the country’s largest gold mine, following months of operation of a substantial oil and gas field.
Martino De Ciccio, president of the “Montage Gold” mining group, disclosed that the mine holds an estimated 5 million ounces of gold, equivalent to 155.5 tons, with an average grade of 0.72 grams per ton.
The “Koni Project” is slated to commence production by 2027, providing nearly 4,500 direct and indirect job opportunities, according to the “Montage Gold” group.
Gold production in Côte d’Ivoire was around 50 tons in 2023, significantly trailing major African producers like Ghana, South Africa, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
