The official opening of the 7th edition of the International Fair of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Abidjan (SARA 2025) took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Abidjan Exhibition Park. Centered on the theme: ‘What agro-food transformation systems for food sovereignty in Africa?’, this major event of the agricultural world, scheduled from May 23 to June 1, welcomed China as the guest of honor.
The Ivorian Prime Minister, H.E. Robert Beugré Mambé, representing the President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, performed the symbolic cutting of the inaugural ribbon. The opening ceremony was marked by a colorful show, blending Ivorian and Chinese cultures, echoing the fruitful partnership between the two nations.Following the inauguration, dignitaries toured the various exhibition stands, including that of the CICC.In the following days, the CICC hosted a stand where it welcomed visitors such as cashew industry stakeholders, students, actors from other agricultural sectors, and others simply present for the visit.During the event, for the first time, the launch of the Côte d’Ivoire Agricultural Raw Materials Exchange (BMPA-CI) took place, with cashew, cola, and maize as the first listings.
Finally, the seventh edition of the International Agricultural and Animal Resources Fair (SARA 2025) concluded on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with a positive interim report. It involved 406 billion CFA francs in signed contracts and established partnerships. This modest increase, compared to the 2023 edition which closed with a total of 403 billion CFA francs, primarily reflects a strengthening of investments and a gradual maturation of the agricultural sector in Côte d’Ivoire.The last day (June 1) was marked by a recognition ceremony sponsored by the Prime Minister, H.E.M. Robert Beugré Mambé. He was accompanied by the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food Production, H.E.M. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani. Together, they presented agricultural equipment to the various award winners and delegates. A vigorous intervention for the benefit of the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders in the agricultural sector for their active participation during this event. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to positioning agriculture as a key driver of Côte d’Ivoire’s economic and social development. He emphasized that, despite moderate investment growth, it is mainly the quality of commitments, a focus on sustainability, and exclusivity that indicate a real turning point. Moreover, with China’s participation as the guest of honor, SARA 2025 has also enhanced its international scope and openness to strategic collaborations. The fair is now recognized as an essential platform for establishing robust food sovereignty and for defining the trajectories of a future flourishing agriculture in Africa.
Thus, the ambition is set for 2027, aiming to make SARA an even more representative showcase of the rapidly changing African agriculture.
By Sylvain KOUADIO, Statistician at CICC and Yasmine BAMI, Agronomist at CICC.
