Abidjan – When visiting Abidjan on May 12-14, the official Troy Phitrell of the Advanced Bureau is strengthening its strong and growing commercial relationship with the African continent through a series of high-level involvement with business leaders, government officials and international organizations.
On May 12-13, the official Fitrell of the Advanced Bureau was a prominent guest at the African CEO Forum, taking part in a strategic roundtable on the future of development funding, and providing a special address on the US government’s approach to Africa.
On May 14th, the official Fitrell of the Senior Bureau and Ambassador of Côte de Ibois Jessica Davis BA will be participating in the AMCHAM Business Summit, held at the US Embassy in Abidjan by the US Chamber of Commerce’s US Africa Business Centre and the West African AMCHAM Network. The theme of “Strengthening US Business Partnership with Africa,” the summit brings together executives, international organizations and government officials from across the region for panel discussions, business-to-business and business-to-business engagement and cultural events.
As keynote speaker at the summit, the official Phytrell of the Senior Bureau announced the State Department’s new commercial diplomatic strategy on sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the US commitment to expanding economic opportunities and sharing prosperity. The US Department of Commerce and Minister of Trade and Industry Sawleymanet formally launched the commercial dialogue of the US Côte de Ivoire commercial and investment partnership, making great strides in bilateral commercial cooperation. The Commercial Dialogue aims to connect US companies with Cote D’Ivoire opportunities and provide recommendations to further improve the business environment.
Additionally, the official Phytrell of the Advanced Bureau has primarily sided with the signatures of several new US business transactions, further demonstrating an increase in involvement of American companies across key sectors in West Africa. US Chamber of Commerce – The US African Business Center, led by President Kendra Gator, organizes a robust delegation of US companies to participate in both the African CEO Forum and the AMCHAM Business Summit, demonstrating a growing interest from the American private sector in the local dynamic market.
This visit and accompanying events highlight the US strategic focus of promoting long-term, mutually beneficial commercial relationships across Africa.
AMCHAM Business Summit highlighted US business transactions:
During the AMCHAM Business Summit, the following commercial agreements or memorandums (MOUs) were announced or signed:
May 14, 2025:
Vaalco Energy, Inc. announced that it has entered into a memorandum with Petroci to assess and potentially acquire benefits through farm opportunities in several blocks of Ivory Coast. Vaalco wins three months to inspect and negotiate farms in four offshore blocks in Ivory Coast.
The governments of Saint Africa and Ivory Coast have formally understood the groundbreaking memorandum of understanding to transform the power sector in Ivory Coast. This strategic partnership will leverage American ingenuity and innovation to significantly strengthen and modernize the energy infrastructure of Ivory Coast. This collaboration marks crucial steps to promote economic progress and strengthen regional energy security.
Yaatra Ventures has signed a memorandum with the Société Ivoirienne de Raffinage (SIR) for the involvement of a joint venture to establish a 200,000 bpd national refinery from domestic oil production, meeting domestic and regional demand for West African fuels that create jobs and promote economic prosperity.
Aerostar Dynamics, Inc. and Agence de Developed Economique de La Region Du Poro (Ader-Poro) have entered a memorandum of valuation of $45 million to get the highest quality American-made drones and training. Ader-Poro’s Aerostar project will bring the best agriculture, forestry, mining, land management and research drones available to Iborians from June 2025. Adel Polo and Aerostar will cooperate in the drone manufacturing and assembly development of Court drones, creating drone hubs for technology production and training in Africa.
NTELX and the Scan System have signed the MOU to establish an initial framework for partnerships and collaboration in which NTELX provides its technology and analytical capabilities at the location of the joint border post of the Scan System. The collaboration aims to increase the visibility of freight transport to enhance security, streamline operations and improve efficiency in cross-border trade and transport.
The US Chamber of Commerce’s US Africa Business Center has reinvigorated the MOU with the Ivory Coast’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and industry in order to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. The partners reaffirmed their commitment to working together in building business links between the private sectors of the two countries, and contributed to the US Cote D’Ivoire commercial dialogue.
Since January 20, 2025:
Citi has successfully supported the Republic of Ivory Coast in landmark dual currency bond transactions through its 10-year bonds and CFAF 2200 billion (approximately USD 360 million) through the world’s first international bonds repealed by CFA Frank in West Africa. This historic deal attracted more than US$5.1 billion in demand from global investors, supplemented by successful bond debt buybacks in 2028 and 2032. Citi has served as a co-book runner, paid agent and dealer manager, demonstrating a deep and trustworthy partnership with the Ivory Coast government and continued leadership in supporting innovative fundraising solutions across emerging markets.
Disabatino Construction, an American company based in Delaware, signed the MOU with the Department of Construction for Cote D’Ivoire on April 29, 2025. This partnership aims to support the national purpose of Court D’Ivoire. To ensure strong and effective local integration, they will partner with Ivoirian Company Contractor-CI.
The consortium of Catalyst Business Partners, Everbridge Inc, and Fadox Group in the United States signed the MOU with Cote D’Ivoire’s Ministry of Digital Transition on April 17, 2025. Perfect for natural disasters, major incidents, health emergency and security alerts. This solution provides the government of Cote D’Ivoire with a mechanism to ensure continuity in public services and effectively respond to times of crisis.
Cybastion and Angola Telecom signed a partnership agreement in February 2025 to boost access to internet connections. The partnership agreement will strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure by expanding scalable internet connectivity, including submarine cables and advanced communications.
CyBastion launched its digital first-track program with the government of Gabon’s National Digital Infrastructure and Frequency (ANINF) in January. Three new digital transformation projects, data centers, National Cybersecurity Agency (SOC and CSIRT), and e-government solutions that integrate digital identity and payments. These initiatives aim to modernize infrastructure, enhance cyber resilience and expand digital access. CyBastion accelerated the implementation of the project, completed a proof of concept of digital IDs and payment systems, surpassing competing Chinese bids at data center invasion sites.
Cybastion signed an agreement with the Government of Guinea (Conakry) to accelerate digital connectivity in March 2025 to enhance cybersecurity, helping to manage the country’s safe city project. The transaction marks the beginning of a new era for digital advancement and security in Guinea, offering new economic opportunities.
Cybastion and the Benin government formalized the partnership agreement in March 2025, promoting digital transformation and expanding cybersecurity and security initiatives in West Africa. The partnership will build a new command center for all cyber operations, including advanced cybersecurity solutions that protect and build resilience to cyber threats, and forensic labs. It also supplies body cameras and accessories to support the police and habits of the Benyese Republicans.
CyBastion expanded its contract with the Burkina Faso government in May 2025 for the second phase of Burkina Faso’s (PACYR-BF) cybersecurity and information programme. This transaction will build a modular data center for storing and managing digital data and applications. We have launched “Citizen Home” (Maisons du Citoyen, MDC). This is an initiative to digitalize one-stop shops of e-government services at post offices across the country. and a digital signature initiative to digitize government and enhance digital security through public key infrastructure (PKI).
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CyBastion and the West African Development Bank (BOAD) signed a partnership agreement in May 2025 to formalize strategic public-private collaboration aimed at mobilizing resources, risky investments, and expanding innovative digital solutions to support digital transformation in the West African economy and the Monetary Union (UEMOA) countries. The agreement helps streamline the funding process and ensures that key West African digital transformation projects receive support for the funding and scale they need.
The Ministry of Digital Economy at George Mason University, Cybastion and Court Daiboir signs a memorandum of understanding to promote professional training with students in AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation. Having world-class digital and cybersecurity skills for young people and women promotes innovation, strengthens resilience to cyber threats, and promotes sustainable growth.
Credence ID has terminated a $1.15 million worth of contract to provide support services to maintain and strengthen the national ID verification system. This system is used to verify citizen IDs (chips on cards) used by KYC for banks, SIMM card registrations, social benefits distribution, etc.
Visium Analytics, LLC, has signed a contract with the Cybastion Institute of Technology, $20 million to support the development of national data centres in the Republic of Ivory Coast and the Republic of Benin. Engagement includes complete lifecycle services, including architectural design, construction monitoring, and critical infrastructure deployment. Visium offers advanced solutions design for power distribution, rack layout, and secure network topologies, providing a comprehensive cybersecurity stack. The project highlights high standards of energy efficiency, system scalability, and physical and cyber protection. Additionally, Visium provides ongoing training and operational support to local personnel, ensuring sustainable data center management.
