The President of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, met today with Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, to discuss progress on the Italian company's main energy and sustainability projects in the country, as well as prospects for future collaboration. This meeting, which placed particular emphasis on the strategic role of gas in energy access, underscores Eni's commitment to supporting energy security and industrial development in Côte d'Ivoire.
At the heart of the discussions was the Baleine project, the largest hydrocarbon discovery in Côte d'Ivoire and the first net-zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) upstream development in Africa. Phases 1 and 2 of the project currently produce more than 62,000 barrels of oil and 75 million cubic feet of gas per day. With the start of phase 3, production is expected to reach 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas per day by the end of 2025. This gas production, entirely destined for the domestic market, strengthens the country's energy independence and reduces its dependence on imports. The gas production plateau, estimated at around 12 years, guarantees long-term stability to meet growing energy demand.
The Baleine project, launched in August 2023 following a discovery in 2021, illustrates Eni's efficiency in terms of speed of execution, with a production start-up time of less than two years. This rapid development model, combined with decarbonisation initiatives, positions Côte d'Ivoire as a key player in Africa's energy transition.
The meeting also highlighted the discovery of Calao, announced in March 2024 in block CI-205, 45 km off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire. This field, considered the second largest discovery in the country after Baleine, contains between 1 and 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent, including light oil, gas and condensates. Once developed, Calao could increase gas production to 500 million cubic feet per day, strengthening Côte d'Ivoire's role as an energy exporter in the region. In November 2024, Eni signed four new exploration contracts, signalling its long-term commitment to the Ivorian offshore basin.
Eni does not limit itself to hydrocarbon exploitation. The company integrates Côte d'Ivoire into a sustainable value chain through initiatives such as the production of vegetable oil from rubber tree residues. In May 2025, the first shipment of rubber tree oil was exported to Enilive's biorefineries as part of a memorandum of understanding with the Ivorian Ministry of Agriculture. This project, focused on the circular economy, recycles agricultural residues to produce biofuels, while generating economic benefits for local farmers through long-term agreements.
Eni's decarbonisation efforts also include the Clean Cooking programme, which has already benefited more than 700,000 people in vulnerable situations, with a target of 2.5 million by 2030. This programme distributes improved cooking stoves, reducing emissions and improving living conditions. In addition, Eni supports the protection and restoration of 14 classified forests, positively impacting more than 300,000 citizens.
Since returning to Côte d'Ivoire in 2015, Eni has consolidated its presence with stakes in six offshore blocks (CI-101, CI-205, CI-401, CI-501, CI-801, CI-802) in partnership with Petroci Holding. These initiatives are accompanied by training and technology transfer programmes, strengthening local skills. A partnership between Eni Corporate University and the National School of Mines and Petroleum in Yamoussoukro illustrates this commitment to developing human capital.
President Ouattara praised Eni's efforts to improve the business environment and support industrial development. With cumulative investments of nearly $10 billion planned, Eni is playing a central role in transforming Côte d'Ivoire into a regional energy hub.
The meeting between Alassane Ouattara and Claudio Descalzi marks a key milestone in the collaboration between Côte d'Ivoire and Eni. Through the Baleine project, the Calao discovery and sustainability initiatives, Eni is contributing to the country's energy security, economic growth and energy transition. As Côte d'Ivoire aims to become an energy leader in Africa, this partnership illustrates how innovation and sustainability can converge to create a greener and more prosperous energy future.
