Relations between Turkey and Cote d'Ivoire

Relations between Turkey and Cote d'Ivoire

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Ivory Coast were established in 1962. From 1964 until 2009, the Turkish Embassy in Dakar was accredited to the Ivory Coast. The Turkish representation in Abidjan became operational on 15 November 2009. The Embassy of the Ivory Coast in Ankara became active in February 2013. The Ivory Coast has Honorary Consulates in İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa while Turkey has an Honorary Consulate in San Pedro.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in high level reciprocal visits between Turkey and the Ivory Coast. Former Ivorian Prime Minister Charles Koffi Diby visited Turkey in December 2014, followed by the visit of President Ouattara in March 2015. During the recent official visit of President Erdoğan to the Ivory Coast on 28-29 February 2016 nine documents between both countries were signed.

Turkish Airlines began direct flights from İstanbul to Abidjan on July 2012.

The Agreement on Trade and the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation which were signed in 2015 constitutes the basis for bilateral economic and commercial relations between Turkey and the Ivory Coast.

The trade volume between both countries currently stands at 390 million Dollars. Turkish exports to the Ivory Coast is about 115,7 million Dollars while imports stands at around 274,3 million Dollars. Turkish export materials to the Ivory Coast includes cement, iron and steel products, power cables, and various alimentary products. Turkey imports cocoa, rubber, wood, and cotton from the Ivory Coast.

Approximately 25 higher education scholarships are granted each year by the Turkish Government to Ivorian students.