The African Development Bank Group and Air Côte d’Ivoire have signed a letter of intent to explore cooperation aimed at strengthening aviation financing, technical skills development and sustainability initiatives across Africa.
The agreement was signed Jan. 23 in Abidjan, the bank said. Officials said the partnership is intended to help modernize Africa’s aviation sector and improve regional trade, mobility and economic integration.
The letter of intent was signed by Mike Salawou, the bank’s director for infrastructure and urban development, and Air Côte d’Ivoire Chief Executive Officer Laurent Loukou following talks between both institutions.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will assess ways to mobilize financing to help African airlines access affordable aircraft purchases and leasing options. They also plan to expand technical training programs for pilots and mechanics and consider establishing a West African center for aviation training. The partnership will further explore sustainability measures, including opportunities tied to sustainable aviation fuel.
The cooperation aligns with continental initiatives including African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Single African Air Transport Market, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The signing also marks an early step in the bank’s Integrated Aviation Transformation Program, a continentwide initiative focused on policy reform, infrastructure upgrades and airline fleet modernization. The program supports improved airport systems, air navigation services and cargo logistics while promoting safety standards and workforce development.
Salawou said the agreement provides a foundation for practical solutions that combine financing, training and sustainability to strengthen Africa’s aviation ecosystem. Loukou said the partnership would help airlines expand fleets, train personnel and develop maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities to support more reliable operations.
The bank and Air Côte d’Ivoire have worked together since 2019 on efforts to modernize air transport in West and Central Africa. Air Côte d’Ivoire, founded in 2012, is the national carrier of Côte d’Ivoire and is partly owned by the government.