Ouattara calls for industrialisation of developing economies
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on AIP
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara called for stronger industrial transformation in developing economies so they can move beyond raw-material exports. At the World Trade Organisation’s eighth Presidential Conference in Geneva, he notably advocated investment in infrastructure, skills and technology, according to the Ivorian presidency.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara called on Thursday 29 October 2026 in Geneva for a fairer international trading system to enable developing countries to move beyond raw-material exports and invest in industrial transformation, innovation and the creation of added value. He was speaking at the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) eighth Presidential Conference, the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP) reports.
Alassane Ouattara presented ‘reglobalisation’ as an opportunity to diversify developing economies and strengthen their place in global value chains. He said this ambition required infrastructure, skills, better access to financing, technology transfers and trade rules more favourable to vulnerable countries, according to AIP.
The Ivorian head of state cited the average growth of 7% recorded by Ivory Coast between 2012 and 2025, as well as the gradual diversification of its markets and the strengthening of its production capacity. He also presented the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to facilitate trade between African countries, as a lever for developing regional value chains.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the uncertainties and fragmentation of the global trading system. She nevertheless underlined the opportunities for African economies to make trade a driver of growth and job creation, according to AIP.
