ABIDJAN PORT SHOWCASES ITS INFRASTRUCTURE AT SARA 2025

Autres Monday 23 June 2025

The 7th edition of the Agriculture and Animal Resources Fair (SARA) was held from May 23 to June 1, 2025, at the Abidjan Exhibition Centre, under the theme: “What Agri-Food Transformation Systems for Food Sovereignty in Africa?”

The event was officially launched in the presence of the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Minister of Sports and Living Environment, Mr. Robert Beugré Mambé, representing the Head of State, H.E. Alassane Ouattara. The opening ceremony on May 23 brought together several government officials, actors from the agricultural and fisheries sectors, and delegations from over 30 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

THE ABIDJAN PORT, A KEY PLAYER IN AGRICULTURAL LOGISTICS

As a strategic partner in Côte d’Ivoire’s agricultural development, Abidjan Port Authority (PAA) is actively participating in this edition of SARA with an interactive booth. A true pillar of national logistics, the Abidjan Port plays a central role in exporting agricultural products and importing essential inputs for their processing.

Through its participation, the Port is showcasing its modern infrastructure, its role in the agri-food value chain, and its contribution to national efforts toward food sovereignty.

A SHOWCASE OF IVORIAN AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL

In his remarks, the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crops, Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani—founder of SARA—reiterated that the fair aims to promote and develop the country’s agricultural, livestock, and fisheries resources. He highlighted the government’s growing support to improve living and working conditions for stakeholders in these sectors.

In just seven editions, SARA has become a must-attend event for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s edition stands out with the People's Republic of China as the country of honour, renowned for its agricultural technological advances. Additionally, a one-stop shop has been established to facilitate the financing of agricultural and fisheries projects, especially those targeting youth.

FOCUS ON THE BLUE ECONOMY

On May 27, a panel discussion on the theme “Blue Economy: Issues for Food Sovereignty” was held on the sidelines of the fair. Among the panelists was Mr. Touré Djakaridja, Director of the Abidjan Port Fishing Terminal.

The panelists stressed that the blue economy is based on the sustainable and responsible exploitation of aquatic resources—seas, rivers, lakes—with a focus on environmental preservation.

Mr. Touré highlighted the importance of the Abidjan Fishing Terminal in this dynamic: value creation through the marketing of fishery products, job promotion in the fishing sector (wholesalers, semi-wholesalers, retailers), compliance with environmental standards, and protection of fish stocks by respecting biological rest periods.

At the end of the panel, the Managing Director of the Abidjan Port, Mr. Hien Yacouba Sié, accompanied by the Fishing Terminal Director, visited several exhibition booths. This visit was part of his commitment to see for himself innovations and developments in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and to strengthen synergies between the Port and various stakeholders in agri-food transformation.

A PROMISING EVENT FOR COMMITMENT AND FUTURE GROWTH

As the doors of SARA 2025 prepare to close on June 1, the Abidjan Port’s participation confirms its lasting commitment to supporting public policies for high-performance, integrated agriculture that serves Côte d’Ivoire’s food sovereignty.