The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Air Côte d'Ivoire (ACDI) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore strategic cooperation opportunities aimed at strengthening aviation financing, technical skills development, and sustainability initiatives across Africa.
The LOI, signed in Abidjan on Friday 23 January, reflects the shared commitment of the African Development Bank and Air Côte d'Ivoire to support the transformation of Africa's aviation sector as a key enabler of economic integration, trade, and mobility on the continent.
The agreement was signed by Mike Salawou, Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the African Development Bank and Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d'Ivoire, following a series of discussions between the institutions.
Under the LOI, the parties will explore business opportunities within the following areas:
- to structure and mobilize financing to facilitate access to affordable aircraft acquisition or financing solutions for airlines in Africa.
- to extend the Aviation Technical Training Program for ACDI pilots and mechanics and consider establishing a West African Center of Excellence for aviation training and capacity building.
- to collaborate sustainability initiatives, including assessing opportunities related to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The cooperation aligns with continental priorities under the African Union's Agenda 2063, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) and the strategic framework of Dr Sidi Ould Tah's four Cardinal Points.
This LOI signing represents an important early milestone under the African Development Bank's Integrated Aviation Transformation Program (IATP) for Africa, a continent-wide initiative to strengthen Africa's aviation sector as a driver of integration, competitiveness, and resilience.
The IATP is structured around three pillars:
- Pillar 1 - Policy, safety, sustainability, and capacity building: supporting the operationalization of the Single African Air Transport Market, strengthening regulatory and safety oversight, advancing skills development, and promoting climate-aligned initiatives such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
- Pillar 2 - Infrastructure, connectivity, and logistics: focusing on the modernization of airports, air navigation systems, and cargo and cold-chain infrastructure to improve regional and continental connectivity.
- Pillar 3 - Airlines and fleet modernization: enhancing airline competitiveness through improved access to affordable aircraft financing, fleet renewal, and innovative risk-mitigation instruments.
Through partnerships under this LOI, the Bank seeks to operationalize the IATP by delivering practical, scalable solutions across the aviation value chain.
Commenting on the signing, Mike Salawou, Director, Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the African Development Bank said, "This Letter of Intent marks a strong starting point for the implementation of the Bank's Integrated Aviation Transformation Program. By working with Air Côte d'Ivoire, we are advancing practical solutions that combine innovative financing, skills development, and sustainability to strengthen Africa's aviation ecosystem and support regional integration."
Welcoming the IATP initiative, Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d'Ivoire, noted that it highlights the major role of the aviation industry as a key driver of regional integration in Africa. Beyond the LOI, Loukou said they would work with the African Development Bank for its immediate implementation, notably through aircraft financing, training programs, and the establishment of MRO facilities.
"This holistic scheme will enhance access to affordable financing for African airlines' fleet expansion and renewal, thereby supporting green aviation, capacity building through the training of pilots and technicians, as well as the development of local strategic assets such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, with a view to ensuring regular and reliable flight operations."
He added, "All these priority areas should be closely linked to the development and modernization of airport infrastructure. Air Côte d'Ivoire values the regulatory dimension of the IATP and advocates for appropriate rules that enable African airlines to compete within a fair and level playing field, particularly in the context of the Open Skies policy."
The Bank's partnership with Air Côte d'Ivoire, dates back to 2019 when The Air Côte d'Ivoire Modernization and Expansion Program was designed to develop the air transport sector in West and Central Africa. The technical assistance package for aviation industry capacity development was approved by the Bank's board of directors in November 2017. The project aims to improve national/regional connectivity and support the Abidjan aviation hub concept.
About Air Cote d'Ivoire (ACDI):
ACDI is the flagship airline for Côte d'Ivoire, established in May 2012 as a limited liability corporation, partially owned by the Government of Côte d'Ivoire.
Website: https://www.aircotedivoire.com/
