The upcoming International Forum for Sustainable Development (FIDD) 2026 will put green finance, carbon credits, and ecological innovation at the forefront of the regional economic agenda. This announcement was made during a launch press conference on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Cocody by the forum’s general commissioner, Tra Bi Michael.
Scheduled for October 13 and 14, 2026, at the CGECI headquarters in Plateau, the event expects to draw over 3,000 participants, dozens of specialists, and international delegates. This year’s central theme is “Sustainable Development, Innovation and Competitiveness: transforming economic models for responsible growth”.
Boosting competitive green economies
The primary goal of the gathering is to establish sustainable practices as major drivers of business competitiveness and economic value. Organizers aim to unlock green funding, facilitate access to global climate funds, and foster the regional carbon market, while connecting local businesses with international investors.
Tra Bi Michael outlined the event’s framework, describing it as a strategic platform designed to connect government authorities, private enterprises, financial backers, civil society groups, and project developers.
Key sectors and interactive programs
Discussions will cover several high-potential industries:
- Green and circular economy
- Eco-finance and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Carbon footprint reduction and carbon trading
- Human capital development and green skills
- Technological innovation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence
- Sustainable agribusiness
The event features a diverse lineup including panel discussions, practical workshops, masterclasses, exhibitions, an innovation challenge, B2B networking sessions, and a dedicated job fair designed to connect young professionals with employers in the ecological transition sector.
Integrating ecological preservation and economic growth
Speakers emphasized that environmental protection must not hinder economic expansion. The Director of Green Economy and CSR at the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition pointed out that the objective is to reform operational models rather than halt industrial activities.
As a pressing example, the forum highlighted the issue of illegal gold mining, which drains an estimated 46 billion FCFA annually from the economy besides causing severe ecological and social devastation.
Regional integration and youth employment
Education, training, and job creation remain central pillars of the event. The ecological transition is viewed as a massive catalyst for generating new career paths for African youth.
With delegations expected from Mali, Guinée, Sénégal, Burkina Faso, Mauritanie, and Centrafrique, FIDD 2026 intends to strengthen cross-border cooperation regarding sustainable investments and business models across West Africa and beyond. Ultimately, the organizers plan to transform ecological responsibility into a powerful engine for financing, innovation, and sustainable job creation.
You may also like
Civilians bear the brunt of human rights abuses in DR Congo
Togo: symbolism over substance as schools crumble
Why is Mali’s economy still held hostage by a fuel blockade a year on?
What Really Happened at Kpalimé’s Château Market Fire?
Who is really being protected as foreign military forces quietly expand in northern Togo?