The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Air Cote d’Ivoire (ACDI) have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore strategic cooperation aimed at strengthening Africa’s aviation sector.

The agreement, signed Jan. 23, focuses on aviation financing, technical skills development, and sustainability initiatives across the continent.

Under the LOI, the two organizations will explore business opportunities, including financing solutions for affordable aircraft acquisition by African airlines, expanding ACDI’s Aviation Technical Training Program, and establishing a West African Center of Excellence for aviation training.

The partnership will also advance sustainability initiatives, such as assessing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) opportunities.

The collaboration aligns with major continental initiatives including the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the AfDB’s 10-Year Strategy (2024-2033).

Mike Salawou, director of the infrastructure and urban development department at AfDB, said, “By working with Air Cote 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.”

Air Cote d’Ivoire CEO Laurent Loukou highlighted the partnership’s role in promoting regional connectivity.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to facilitate aircraft financing, expand training programs, and establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul [MRO] facilities,” he said. “This comprehensive approach will enhance fleet expansion and renewal, promote green aviation, and build local aviation capacity, while supporting reliable flight operations.”

Loukou also emphasized the importance of regulatory frameworks that enable African airlines to compete on a level playing field, particularly under the Open Skies policy.

The AfDB and Air Cote d’Ivoire have worked together since 2019 through the Air Cote d’Ivoire Modernization and Expansion Program, which seeks to develop the air transport sector in West and Central Africa.

Air Cote d’Ivoire operates eight Airbus A320-family aircraft, two A330-900s, and four De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400s. In 2025, the airline ordered four Embraer E175s at the Dubai Airshow and secured purchase rights for an additional eight, with deliveries expected to begin in the first half of 2027.