Adrien Haye, the departing director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Côte d’Ivoire, has been bestowed with the prestigious Ivorian National Order as he concludes his mission in the country. The esteemed recognition was presented to him on Friday, July 31, 2026, by the Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget, Adama Coulibaly. The ceremony took place at the minister’s office within the Sciam building in Le Plateau, attended by France’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Jean-Christophe Belliard, and several AFD colleagues.
Speaking on behalf of President Alassane Ouattara and Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, Minister Adama Coulibaly commended Adrien Haye’s profound commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s development throughout his four-year tenure leading the institution.
The minister elaborated on Haye’s dedication, stating, “During these four years, as the AFD Director, Mr. Adrien Haye personally invested himself in identifying intervention opportunities across various sectors of the Ivorian economy. Since his arrival in 2022, he has tirelessly supported the government in structuring financing, as well as in the formulation and monitoring of numerous project implementations.”
Adama Coulibaly highlighted that Adrien Haye’s mandate was notably characterized by the mobilization of 934 million euros, equivalent to approximately 623 billion FCFA. This significant funding, comprising sovereign loans and resources from the Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D), played a crucial role in stabilizing the nation’s macro-budgetary framework.
Furthermore, the minister revealed that five new sovereign loan agreements, amounting to nearly 500 million euros (around 330 billion FCFA), were signed during this period. These were complemented by allocation agreements for the third C2D, aligning perfectly with the objectives of the National Development Plan (PND) 2021-2025.
“These commitments enable the French Development Agency to maintain its standing as Côte d’Ivoire’s foremost bilateral partner, a position significantly bolstered by Mr. Haye’s contributions,” the minister emphasized.
Deeply moved by this honor, which marks the first state distinction he has received, the outgoing AFD director conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Ivorian authorities. Reflecting on the achievements of his term, he reaffirmed his strong affinity for Côte d’Ivoire.
“I hope the portfolio we successfully continued to expand, particularly with your teams, Mr. Minister, demonstrates this. And I will, of course, continue to be an advocate for the Ivorian cause,” Adrien Haye pledged.
This decoration serves as a testament to four years of robust cooperation between the AFD and the Ivorian authorities, marked by substantial financial support dedicated to the country’s economic and social advancement.