The President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Alassane Ouattara meets with Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi

Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), 3 July 2025 - The President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, met today with Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi, to discuss the progress of the main energy and sustainability projects launched by Eni in the country, as well as future perspectives for collaboration.
 

The meeting placed special emphasis on the strategic role of gas in the country’s energy access. With a total production of Phase 1 and 2 of more than 62,000 barrels of oil and more than 75 million cubic feet of gas per day, which is set to rise up to 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet per day with the start-up of Phase 3, the Baleine project is a key pillar in meeting domestic energy demand. The gas production plateau, estimated at around 12 years, ensures significant continuity over time. Indeed, 100% of the gas produced is used to supply Côte d'Ivoire's domestic market, significantly supporting the country's energy security and promoting national industrial growth.
 

The entire gas chain contributes to ensuring reliable, sustainable and clean access to energy, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening Côte d'Ivoire's energy autonomy. This strategic approach is part of a broader framework of sustainable development and energy transition, of which the Baleine project is a model of excellence in the African scenario, being the first net-zero emission upstream development on the continent.
 

The discussion also touched the importance of the Calao discovery made in March 2024, which confirmed the potential of the Ivorian offshore basin. This discovery, once developed, could bring gas production up to 500 million cubic feet per day, helping to strengthen Côte d'Ivoire’s role as an energy-exporting country in the region. The signing of four new exploration contracts in November 2024 underlines the importance of the area and Eni's willingness to continue investing in the country, with a long-term approach.

Another key theme was the development of local supply chains for the production of sustainable agricultural raw materials for biorefining. Just recently, Eni exported the first cargo of Hevea oil to Enilive's biorefineries, while in May the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture to foster the growth of a strong supply chain in the sector, exploiting the full potential of Hevea residues within a circular economy framework.
 

The CEO and the President also discussed the recent progress of the decarbonization projects promoted by Eni, including the Clean Cooking program, which has already reached more than 700,000 people in vulnerable conditions, with a target of 2.5 million by 2030, and the initiative to protect and restore 14 classified forests in the country, with direct benefits for more than 300,000 citizens.
 

Eni has been present in Côte d'Ivoire since 2015 and has made the two largest discoveries in the country, Baleine and Calao. The company is committed to energy production and sustainable development through projects in the branches of education, training, health and economic diversification.