On the occasion of the celebration of the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire’s attainment of national and international sovereignty on August 7, 2026, the Director-General of the African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD), Dr. Coffi Dieudonné ASSOUVI, extends his warm congratulations to His Excellency the President of the Republic and Head of State, the Government, and the entire Ivorian people.

This celebration holds special significance, reaffirming the values ​​of national unity, peace, solidarity, and sustainable development that underpin Côte d’Ivoire’s future. Following Grand-Bassam in 2024 and Bouaké in 2025, the commune of Yopougon will host the official independence festivities for the first time in its history. This choice highlights the essential role of local authorities in local development, citizen participation, and the strengthening of national cohesion. It aligns with the policy of rotating national celebrations between the country’s interior cities and the District of Abidjan. The parade will take place on the Boulevard de la Solidarité, featuring the participation of four foreign military delegations: Gabon, Guinea, India, and Benin.

This historic day offers a special opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women who contributed to achieving independence and consolidating the Ivorian nation. It is also an occasion to acknowledge the remarkable progress Côte d’Ivoire has made in areas such as public governance, administrative modernization, digital transformation, economic development, and the strengthening of social cohesion. CAFRAD values ​​the historic cooperative ties it shares with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, a founding member of our institution. Over the decades, this partnership has been defined by a shared commitment to strengthening the capacity of African public administrations, promoting effective, transparent, and inclusive governance, and fostering the exchange of best practices among the continent’s nations.

Amidst a landscape shaped by accelerating administrative reforms, the demands of digital transformation, and the ambitions of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, CAFRAD reaffirms its readiness to continue and deepen its cooperation with Ivorian institutions. Our goal is to foster a public administration that is high-performing, innovative, and citizen-centric.

On this auspicious occasion, CAFRAD extends its sincerest wishes for peace, prosperity, and continued success to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. May the momentum generated by national achievements—in both development and sports—continue to strengthen national unity, mobilize the youth, and inspire the entire African continent toward a future of shared progress.

Happy Independence Day to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire!