Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs: Cote d’Ivoire Summary
![Cote d'Ivoire [shutterstock]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Cote-dIvoire-e1555940079796-2503x1406.jpg)
International Travel Information
What you need to know before you go: visas, embassy & consulate locations, vaccinations, etc.
International Travel Information: Learn MoreHighlights
August 7, 2020
U.S. Relationship
U.S.-Côte d’Ivoire Relations
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Côte d’Ivoire in 1960, following Côte d'Ivoire's independence from France. The U.S. government’s overriding interests in Côte d’Ivoire have long been to help restore peace, encourage disarmament and reunification of the country, and support a democratic government whose legitimacy can be accepted by all the citizens of Côte d’Ivoire.
U.S. Assistance to Côte d'Ivoire
U.S. assistance to Côte d’Ivoire is focused on four priority areas: strengthening democracy and governance, expanding economic opportunities, advancing security sector reform, and improving health care systems and outcomes. The Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact with Côte d'Ivoire will support the country’s drive to diversify its economy through investments in the education and transportation sectors.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Côte d’Ivoire is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The U.S. has a trade and investment framework agreement with the West African Economic and Monetary Union, of which Côte d’Ivoire is a member. In 2017, the U.S. and Côte d’Ivoire signed a five-year $524.7 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact to facilitate the transportation of goods and people into and out of Abidjan and to improve technical and vocational education.
![Cote d'Ivoire Flag: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; orange symbolizes the land (savannah) of the north and fertility, white stands for peace and unity, green represents the forests of the south and the hope for a bright future note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France [CIA World Fact Book]](https://2017-2021.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/iv-lgflag.gif){kind=small}