Green financing, carbon credits, innovation, and business opportunities will take center stage at the 2026 International Sustainable Development Forum (FIDD). The announcement came during the event’s launch press conference, held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Cocody, led by Tra Bi Michael, the Forum’s General Commissioner.
Scheduled for October 13 and 14, 2026, at the CGECI in Plateau, the FIDD will bring together over 3,000 participants, around twenty experts, and representatives from several countries under the theme “Sustainable Development, Innovation, and Competitiveness: Transforming Economic Models for Responsible Growth.”
This gathering aims to position sustainable development as a driver of competitiveness and value creation. Organizers particularly seek to boost the mobilization of green funds, enhance access to climate finance, and foster the growth of the carbon market, while also facilitating connections between investors and local economic players.
During the press conference, Tra Bi Michael outlined the Forum’s main directions, describing it as a platform for dialogue and networking among public authorities, businesses, investors, experts, civil society organizations, and project developers.
Discussions will span several high-potential sectors, including the green and circular economy, green finance and CSR, carbon footprint and the carbon market, human capital and green skills, innovation, digitalization and artificial intelligence, as well as sustainable agribusiness.
The program features panels, workshops, masterclasses, exhibitions, an innovation challenge, B2B meetings, and a job dating session aimed at connecting young talent with companies operating in the ecological transition fields.
The stated ambition is also to create a conducive environment for business development. The B2B meetings are expected to allow companies and innovative entrepreneurs to engage with investors and explore new financing and partnership opportunities.
Speakers further stressed the need to evolve economic models without pitting development against environmental protection. The Director of Green Economy and CSR at the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition reminded that the challenge lies less in halting economic activities than in transforming how they are conducted.
The issue of illegal gold panning was notably raised, with estimated economic losses of 46 billion FCFA per year, compounded by significant environmental and social consequences.
Training and employment also constitute important pillars of the Forum. For the organizers, the ecological transition represents a potential for creating new professions and opportunities for African youth.
With participants expected from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic, among others, FIDD 2026 aims to strengthen regional exchanges around investments and sustainable economic models.
In summary, the organizers intend to make sustainable development a true lever for financing, innovation, job creation, and growth for African economies.