We extend our sincere thanks to the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Souleymane Diarrassouba, es-teemed government officials, and media members who visited the ZIC in Akoupé-Zeudji on October 24, 2024. This immersive visit aimed to observe the progress of this rapidly developing industrial site—an ini-tiative that symbolizes the growing partnership between the Ivorian state and the private sector to drive industrial growth and economic prosperity in Côte d’Ivoire.
Minister Diarrassouba’s visit highlighted the shared commitment to creating a world-class industrial zone in Akoupé-Zeudji as part of the PK24 project, launched in 2014. Covering a total of 1,000 hectares, the PK24 project is designed to establish Côte d’Ivoire as a center of industrial excellence in West Africa. The ZIC area, which spans 431 hectares, is being developed in two major phases with an investment exceeding €180 million, or about 120 billion CFA francs. This investment demonstrates an unwavering commitment to developing a robust, globally competitive industrial ecosystem that meets international standards. Phase 1, divided into two sections, is currently 46% complete, while Phase 2 will expand into a third section, each meticulously planned to optimize industrial efficiency and investment potential.
During this visit, the Minister shared updates on the significant progress made. “We expect around 55 com-panies to set up on this site, creating more than 10,000 direct jobs,” emphasized the Minister. This ambi-tious project has already drawn the attention of numerous economic operators, particularly in the agro-industry, metallurgy, and pharmaceutical sectors, showcasing the strong appeal of Côte d’Ivoire’s new in-dustrial capacities.
Arise IIP is proud to contribute to this transformation by creating an environment conducive to foreign direct investment (FDI) in agro-processing, recycling, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals. This influx of FDI promises to boost the Ivorian economy, generate employment, reduce dependency on foreign currencies, and place Côte d’Ivoire on the global stage.
Our team’s unwavering commitment to attracting international investors aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s vision for economic resilience and sustainability. With continuous infrastructure development, the new ZIC indus-trial zone is set to become a key platform for large-scale economic opportunities, particularly in agro-processing sectors such as cashews, rubber, cassava, and shea. Additionally, the zone opens new import substitution prospects across FMCG, construction materials, textiles, and other vital sectors.
In collaboration with the Ivorian government, we look forward to paving the way for sustainable growth and development in Côte d’Ivoire, positioning the country as a leading player on the global economic stage.