IDB Honored in Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea
15.12.2013, Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire – The President of Cote d'Ivoire, HE Alassane Ouattara has awarded the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) with the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, the country’s highest medal of honor, for the Bank’s contribution in financing part of the Abidjan - Yamoussoukro Highway Project.

The award was presented at the opening ceremony of the highway on 11 December 2013 in Yamoussoukro. Mr. Sidi Taleb, Director, IDB Dakar Regional Office received the award on behalf of the IDB Group Chairman.

IDB involvement in the project was for USD 150 million out of US$ 286 million. Other co-financiers of the project were the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

The 240 km road provides a fast and reliable access between Abidjan and Cote d'Ivoire’s major cities, including the capital Yamoussoukro. On the international level, the project aims at promoting regional integration between Cote d'Ivoire and the neighboring landlocked countries, namely Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and providing them with a better access to the Abidjan seaport.

Earlier in the week, President of the Republic of Guinea, HE Alpha Condé presented the Chairman of the IDB Group with the country’s National Order of Merit in appreciation of the constructive role the Group has played in supporting socio-economic growth in its member countries, particularly in the Republic of Guinea. The event came on December 8th during the 40th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in the Capital Conakry.