A high-level symposium on the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan on Tuesday, highlighting opportunities for Ivorian businesses to enter the Chinese market and boost their exports.
The event, jointly hosted by the Embassy of China in Cote d'Ivoire and the Cote d'Ivoire Export Agency, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Crafts and other Ivorian government institutions. It also gathered prominent Ivorian manufacturers and exporters specializing in agro-food products such as coffee derivatives, cocoa, cashew nuts, and cola nuts, a flagship product of Cote d'Ivoire.
Starting from May 1, China fully implemented a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. At the event, participants welcomed the opportunities provided by China's zero-tariff policy and Cote d'Ivoire's participation in the upcoming CIIE.
"This year, I believe the opportunity is twofold. First, since May 1, China has granted us zero-tariff access to the Chinese market. Second, this is the first opportunity for our economic operators to meet Chinese buyers and ensure that Ivorian products have a strong presence in the Chinese market. Our expectation is that our products will enter and become known to Chinese buyers," said Kaladji Fadiga, director general of the Cote d'Ivoire Export Agency.
"Cola nuts were unknown to China. This opportunity has allowed us to introduce cola nuts and caffeine-rich cola powder to the large Chinese population. Now, China will know there is another interesting Ivorian product," said Konate Karim, an Ivorian exporter of cola nuts.
Speaking at the session, Wu Jie, Chinese ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire, highlighted that the volume of trade between China and Cote d'Ivoire hit a historic record high of 7.42 billion U.S. dollars in 2025. He also emphasized that Cote d'Ivoire's official participation in the CIIE is part of the ongoing strengthening of economic relations between the two countries.
"To promote the implementation of the zero-tariff policy in Cote d'Ivoire and help Ivorian exporting companies fully benefit from it, our Embassy and the Cote d'Ivoire Export Agency have established a joint working mechanism named 'Export to China.' Under this mechanism, our priority goal for this year is to support Cote d'Ivoire in its participation in the CIIE, which will be held in Shanghai this November. The CIIE is the world's largest and the only trade fair dedicated exclusively to imports. It is a professional platform for foreign products seeking to enter the Chinese market," he said.
Thanks to the zero-tariff policy, other Ivorian products that have not yet been exported to China will gain new opportunities. To that end, Cote d'Ivoire plans to send over 50 local companies to the upcoming CIIE in Shanghai.
Cote d'Ivoire symposium promotes China import expo
