Scottish Africa Business Association Champions Opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire’s Bandama Valley

The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) is proud to confirm its support for the upcoming Invest in Bandama forum in Côte d’Ivoire, a landmark event showcasing one of West Africa’s fastest-growing agro-industrial regions.

SABA has developed a strong and trusted partnership with the Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI), the country’s national investment promotion agency. This collaboration is already delivering tangible outcomes. In June, SABA welcomed a high-level delegation from Côte d’Ivoire to Aberdeen, connecting them with leading Scottish businesses across energy, education & skills training and subsea sectors. These meetings have opened the door to new commercial partnerships, reinforcing Scotland’s role as a global hub of expertise and innovation.

The Bandama Valley, home to more than 1.9 million people, sits at the heart of Côte d’Ivoire’s Agropoles programme and offers over two million hectares of fertile agricultural land. With strengths in cashew nuts, rice, cassava, tomatoes, cocoa, poultry and aquaculture, the region is a magnet for sustainable investment. Government incentives – including a special economic zone with attractive tax breaks and a CEPICI one-stop shop for investors – make it a compelling destination for international business.

Scotland has world-class expertise that directly matches the Bandama Valley’s development priorities. Our agritech innovators are at the forefront of precision farming, vertical agriculture and crop yield improvement, all vital for Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions to boost food production, reduce imports and increase value-added processing. In renewable energy, Scotland’s experience in integrating hydro, solar and wind power into national grids can support the region’s drive for reliable, sustainable energy to power 24/7 agro-industrial operations. In addition, Scotland’s globally respected education & skills training institutions can help build the local workforce capabilities needed to sustain long-term growth.

SABA’s support of Invest in Bandama is a clear signal of our leadership in connecting Scottish companies with high-potential African markets. As the go-to organisation for businesses seeking to expand into Africa, we provide the insight, networks and on-the-ground support that turn opportunities into successful ventures. Our track record in facilitating market entry, from initial introductions to building long-term relationships, positions Scotland at the forefront of trade and investment with Côte d’Ivoire.

Opportunities like the Bandama Valley don’t come along often. This is a region with abundant resources, strong government backing and a clear roadmap for growth, exactly the environment where Scottish expertise in agritech, renewable energy, infrastructure and education can make a transformative impact. Whether you’re looking to export products, deliver services, or form joint ventures, the market potential is vast and the time to engage is now. Through SABA, Scottish businesses can gain direct access to decision-makers, trusted local partners and the support needed to turn conversations into contracts.

By supporting this forum, SABA will continue to champion Scotland’s expertise and ensure that Scottish businesses are well-placed to contribute to, and benefit from, the rapid growth and diversification of the Bandama Valley economy.