Jean-Marie Yao, CCIL President;
On Saturday 28 June 2025, the Ivorian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de Commerce Ivoiro-Luxembourgeoise, CCIL) was launched with an inauguration event in Luxembourg-Luxembourg.
The Ivory Coast community in Luxembourg numbers over 400 people (on 1 January 2025, according to STATEC, Luxembourg's national statistical office, with the CCIL established to "make a strategic step forward in strengthening economic and institutional ties between the Ivory Coast and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with a clear ambition of inspiring "lasting momentum, where each partnership shapes the future". According to CCIL President, Dr Jean-Marie Yao, who told Chronicle.lu that the number of people from the Ivory Coast living in and around Luxembourg, including those with double nationality, is around 4,000.
Established as a strategic bridge between the two countries, the CCIL is committed to stimulating trade, supporting entrepreneurs and building strong, lasting relationships. It is positioning itself as a key contact for companies from both countries wishing to expand their activities.
Held at the Hall Victor Hugo in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg, the event attracted almost 100 people to the afternoon business forum, with around 120 attending the evening cultural activities with a gala concert, with others arriving later - while up to 500 people had been anticipated, numbers may have been affected by the Lux African Festival taking place at the nearby Tramsschapp earlier on.
The business forum included thematic conferences, high-level panels, inspiring feedback sessions and networking spaces "conducive to the creation of new partnerships".
Dr Jean-Marie Yao, CCIL President, welcomed everyone to the inaugural event and introduced the Consul General of the Ivory Coast in Luxembourg, Daniel Reitz, who delivered a welcome address to the business forum. The Ambassador of the Ivory Coast to Belgium, Abou Dosso, was scheduled to attend but could not participate; they were represented instead by Mathilde Kra and Jean-Jacques Koffi, both from the Embassy of the Ivory Coast to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU. The opening speeches were followed by panel discussions on the business environment in the Ivory Coast and sharing experiences on doing business in the Ivory Coast. Dramane Meite then addressed the forum, presenting how the Ivory Coast can become a future market for tech and fintech.
Under the theme "Sublime Ivory Coast meets Luxembourgish excellence", the gala concert showcased the richness of Ivorian culture and gastronomy, blending authentic flavours and vibrant rhythms of the Ivory Coast, with renowned international artists Gadji Celi and Soum Bill scheduled to entertain those attending.
For further information on the CCIL, see https://www.cciv.lu/.
UPDATED to revise numbers.
