Côte d’Ivoire’s national dialogue: Breaking down barriers for green energy

tania1413
11 hours ago
3 min read

Earlier this summer in a display of collective problem-solving, members of parliament, private sector leaders, public institutions and international partners convened at the in Abidjan for a national dialogue dedicated to the future of green investment in Côte d’Ivoire. Over the course of a full day, around forty participants examined the country’s energy transition with clarity, openness and technical depth.

Observers described the atmosphere as “transparent” and “inclusive,” noting that many Ivorian renewable-energy companies were, for the first time, able to sit directly across from members of parliament and articulate how current policies shape their projects. Company representatives raised issues ranging from administrative delays to restrictive eligibility criteria and limited access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises. The exchanges were frank, at times pointed, but consistently constructive.

Foreign investors too, took notice. Several expressed that such a structured and direct dialogue between legislators and industry is not common across emerging markets. For them, the event offered a reassuring signal: that Côte d’Ivoire is building a predictable and serious investment environment where concerns can be addressed through institutional channels rather than informal negotiations. Some said the framework made long-term capital commitments feel more viable.

Throughout the day, discussions turned toward highly technical matters. Experts from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) broke down challenges related to grid stability, battery storage, self-generation, grid injection and the limitations of existing off-grid support schemes. Their analyses allowed lawmakers and businesses to understand where reforms are already underway and where significant gaps remain.

One notable outcome of the dialogue was a clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each actor. Parliamentarians reiterated their readiness to advance reforms that make Green Energy Zones more predictable, transparent and attractive for investors. Private sector representatives committed to documenting their constraints more systematically, helping parliamentary commissions rely on concrete evidence rather than anecdotal accounts. International partners outlined how their programmes could support storage, grid modernisation, off-grid electrification and industrial competitiveness if regulatory conditions improve.

Participants also agreed on several next steps:

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will work with national stakeholders to prepare a strategic framework for Green Energy Zones to be reviewed by parliamentary commissions.
Rules on self-generation and grid injection will continue to be revised to give investors and small producers a clear understanding of permissible activities.
The eligibility criteria of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project will be examined to ensure they reflect the actual energy needs of Ivorian households and businesses.
Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of potential tax credits, will be explored to incentivise sustained investment in renewable energy technologies.
A commitment to institutionalise this type of dialogue was made. Participants supported establishing regular exchanges between Parliament, regulators and private operators, potentially on a quarterly basis, to ensure that future reforms are grounded in field realities rather than assumptions.
Pilot Green Energy Zone projects, including one at the VITIB technology zone in Grand-Bassam, were mentioned as opportunities to combine concessional finance, private investment and local accountability.

Attendees at the national workshop

Although no one expected the event to resolve every issue facing Côte d’Ivoire’s energy transition, the dialogue marked a shift in how institutions and companies communicate with each other. Local businesses left feeling heard. International partners saw signs of political determination. Parliamentarians gained a clearer view of how legislative decisions influence project deployment on the ground.

The significance of the dialogue lies not in any single announcement, but in the collaborative spirit it established. If maintained, this approach could help Côte d’Ivoire build a cleaner, more reliable and more competitive energy system, and set a precedent for transparent policymaking in the region.

Emmanuel Toure

Policy Coordinator, Côte d’Ivoire