Days
Oct 23 – 30, 2026Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora
Your next journey could change everything.
An immersive experience designed for those who want to rediscover Africa and invest on the continent.
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The call of the continent
Living in Europe? In Canada, in Côte d'Ivoire or another country of the sub-region? Looking to invest, build a business or reconnect with the continent?
But between desire and action, you:
- don't know where to start?
- sense opportunities exist but lack the right connections to access them?
- want to move forward but aren't sure which trusted contacts to rely on?
- have ideas or projects but lack a credible framework and information to take action?
Good news: Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora is made for you.
Takeaction!
Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora offers a concrete framework to turn your desire to return to the continent into a clear, structured and viable project.
Concreteopportunities
Meet institutions, banks, developers and investors to identify the best business opportunities in Côte d'Ivoire.
Strategicnetwork
Connect with a qualified network of diaspora investors, executives and entrepreneurs committed to impact in Africa.
Secureprojects
Access the right information, institutions and partners to invest and build methodically in Côte d'Ivoire.
Culturalimmersion
Discover Côte d'Ivoire differently through meaningful experiences, visits and encounters to reconnect with your roots.
Three ways to take part
Register for 2026
The Economic Day, the Excellence Gala Dinner and the Xperience offer are open for registration. Each package shows its price, what it includes and how to book.
Economic Day: 50,000 FCFA. Gala Dinner: 150,000 FCFA. Xperience: €2,300, from 23 to 30 October, payable in 3 or 4 instalments.
Official patron · 2026
H.E. Adama Dosso
Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, in charge of Ivorians Abroad
An event under high patronage
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire standing with its diaspora.
Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora 2026 benefits from the official patronage of H.E. Adama Dosso, Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, in charge of Ivorians Abroad.
This recognition gives the experience strong institutional weight: legitimacy, visibility and a concrete commitment to strengthening ties between the diaspora and the continent.
2026 Partners
They trust us
Institutional partners
Ministère délégué aux Affaires étrangères
Ministère du Plan
Ministère du Commerce
Ministère du Tourisme
Ministère de la Culture
CEPICI
GUDE-PME
SGPME
DGIE
AERIA
Official sponsors
Official partners
Tamala Direction
Vidange automobile
C4 Gestion
TERRAFRIKA
Batir SA
Traditions
The Grill Factory
Investisseurs Africains
AKWABA CI
Media partners
AYANA
Pulse Côte d'Ivoire
Start up médias
Scoop Afrique
Life Mag
NCI
Nostalgie Radio
Hit Radio
L'Intelligent d'Abidjan
La Côte d'Ivoire est Chic
Community partners
Les Ivoiriennes du Tourisme
Abidjanaises in Tech
Diaspora Connect
La Caraïbe Investit
Nonprofit partner
ONG Hope Source
An exclusive, one-of-a-kind
More than a trip: a journey from intention to action.
Program
Day 1
Arrival and check-in
Welcome in Abidjan · Hotel check-in
Participants arrange their own travel to Abidjan. Opening day is dedicated to the official welcome and hotel check-in, before the week’s programme begins.
- Travel arranged by each participant
- Official welcome in Abidjan
- Hotel check-in
- Delegation briefing
Day 2
Economic day & gala dinner
Hôtel Ivoire congress center · Opportunities & strategic networking
The Grand Economic Day brings together banks, institutions, investors, developers, entrepreneurs, recruiters and key stakeholders around investment, entrepreneurship and relocation opportunities in Côte d'Ivoire. The evening features the prestigious Excellence Gala Dinner.
- Banks & institutions
- Investors & developers
- Relocation opportunities
- Excellence Gala Dinner
Day 3
Real estate & investment
Free morning · Afternoon real estate investment
After a free morning to rest, the afternoon focuses on real estate investment: presentations of opportunities, site visits and discussions to better understand the Ivorian property market.
- Free morning
- Investment opportunities
- Property visits
- Understanding the local market
Day 4
History & reconnection
Tiassalé · Slave Route · Yamoussoukro
Departure for Tiassalé to discover the Slave Route and a time of historical and cultural reconnection, then on to Yamoussoukro to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and discover the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire.
- Slave Route
- Time for reconnection
- Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
- Political capital
Day 5
Relaxation & African immersion
Domaine Bini · Nature · Gastronomy · Conviviality
A relaxing day at Domaine Bini in a natural, authentic setting combining African cuisine, immersive activities, convivial moments and reconnection with African culture.
- Natural setting
- African cuisine
- Immersive activities
- Conviviality
Day 6
Abidjan immersion
Key districts · Infrastructure · Abidjan By Night
A day discovering Abidjan's iconic and strategic locations: business districts, major projects, infrastructure, and cultural and economic landmarks. In the evening, participants experience the energy of the economic capital with Abidjan By Night.
- Business districts
- Key infrastructure
- Economic immersion
- Abidjan By Night
Day 7
Free day
Professional meetings · Private visits · Assinie · Relaxation
A free day to experience the journey at your own pace: professional meetings, private visits, shopping, relaxation, beach time in Assinie or personal discoveries.
- Professional meetings
- Private visits
- Shopping & relaxation
- Beach in Assinie
Day 8
Closing the stay
Final moments in Abidjan
Final free time in Abidjan, then the close of the immersion. Each participant arranges their own return. The stay is designed to prepare a concrete next step on the continent.
- Final free time
- Close of the immersion
- Return arranged individually
More than an event… a transformational experience
Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora is a unique immersion combining economic opportunities, investment, strategic networking, reconnection with Africa, entrepreneurship and cultural discovery.
A week to see, understand, feel and concretely prepare your future on the African continent.
Featured guests
Invited personalities
H.E. Adama Dosso
Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, in charge of Ivorians abroad
Stanislas Zézé
CEO, Bloomfield Investment
A'Salfo
President, Magic System Foundation
Jean-Yves Bragbo
Investor
Edith Brou
Digital entrepreneur, content creator and voice of female leadership
★ Surprise
Surprise guest
To be announced
Economic Day 2026
The programme of the Economic Day
Saturday 24 October 2026 at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire Congress Palace: keynotes, an institutional round table, panels and seven workshops built for action.
- Saturday 24 October 2026
- Congress Palace · Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire · Abidjan
- Day host : Stéphane TCHIFFRO
- Keynotes
2
- Round table & panels
3
- Practical workshops
7
Times are local to Abidjan (GMT).
- Welcome
Welcome and participant check-in
Visit to partner booths.
- Address
Welcome address
Speakers
- Esther BOUA — General Commissioner of the Grand Retour de la Diaspora
- Address
Official address
Speakers
- H.E. Adama DOSSO — Minister Delegate for Ivorians Abroad, patron of the GRD
- Keynote 1
NDP 2026-2030: concrete opportunities for the diaspora
Speakers
- Mr Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA — Minister of Planning and Development
- Keynote 2
Côte d'Ivoire: country risk and economic attractiveness
Speakers
- Mr Stanislas ZÉZÉ — CEO, Bloomfield Investment Corporation
- Round table
The institutional framework for investment in Côte d'Ivoire
Moderation · Stéphane TCHIFFRO
Speakers
- Ms Solange AMICHIA — CEO, CEPICI
- Mr Yaya Ouattara — CEO, GUDE-PME
- Mr Gaoussou KARAMOKO — CEO, DGIE
- Ms Joelle KOUASSI — CEO, SGPME
- Mr Diacoh Martial — SIB, Ivorians abroad lead
- Sophie-Kristin Marquardt — GIZ, WIDU programme lead
- Dr KLO Fagama — Director of the tourism industry
- Questions & answers
Questions & answers
Exchange with the round-table speakers.
- Partner moments
Partner moments
Talks and presentations from this edition's partners.
- Panel 1
Investment opportunities in Côte d'Ivoire
Moderation · Stéphane TCHIFFRO
Speakers
- Dr Edoh Kossi AMENOUNVE — CEO, BRVM
- Real estate developer
- Stéphane SUCRÉ — CEO, RIDISSI
- Mr Cheick JABOU — Consultant and business engineer
- Steven BEDI — CI20 representative
- President of the Private Clinics of Côte d'Ivoire
- Questions & answers
Questions & answers
Exchange with the Panel 1 speakers.
- Break
Lunch break
The VIP lunch at Casino Barrière is reserved for speakers, sponsors and VIP guests, by personal invitation.
- Partner moments
Partner moments
Talks and presentations from this edition's partners.
- Panel 2
Returning and settling in Côte d'Ivoire: stories and lessons
Moderation · Esther BOUA — General Commissioner of the GRD
Speakers
- Jean-Yves BRAGBO — L'Investisseur Africain
- Renée MARIAME — CEO, Traditions & Grill Factory
- Laetitia APHING — CEO, IBSA
- Stéphane K — Repat
- Claudy SIAR — Journalist, culture, media and visibility envoy for Benin
- Questions & answers
Questions & answers
Exchange with the Panel 2 speakers.
- Workshops
Workshops 1, 2 and 3
Simultaneous sessions.
Simultaneous sessions
Workshop 1
Making a successful professional return to Côte d'Ivoire
Moderated by Marie France YAPI — CEO, Talent 3.0. With Joel Missainhoun, Marius Zebihi, Yaraye Tchinah, Love Kikunda and Daouda Koné.
Workshop 2
Diaspora property finance
Mr Diacoh — SIB
Workshop 3
Checking a project before you invest: the 12 control points
Mr Cheick JABOU — L'Impacteur
- Workshops
Workshops 4 and 5
Simultaneous sessions.
Simultaneous sessions
Workshop 4
Investing in agriculture, livestock and aquaculture
Stéphane SUCRÉ — CEO, RIDISSI
Workshop 5
Investing in the stock market — BRVM and financial markets
Brice KOUAO — CEO, École de la Bourse
- Workshops
Workshops 6 and 7
Simultaneous sessions.
Simultaneous sessions
Workshop 6
Healthcare recruitment in Côte d'Ivoire
Healthcare HR expert
Workshop 7
Investing in real estate securely
Licensed real estate developer
- Close
Official close of the Economic Day
- Gala
Excellence Gala Dinner
8:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Masters of ceremonies: John Jay and Yasmine Reda. Addresses, gourmet dinner, awards, speed networking, dance evening and live orchestra.
Speakers
- John Jay — Master of ceremonies
- Yasmine Reda — Master of ceremonies
Excellence Gala Dinner
Masters of ceremonies
John Jay and Yasmine Reda host the Saturday 24 October evening, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.: addresses, gourmet dinner, awards, speed networking, then a dance evening with a live orchestra.
- JJJohn JayMaster of ceremonies
- YRYasmine RedaMaster of ceremonies
Register for the Economic Day
Access to the 24 October programme is a separate registration: 50,000 FCFA. The Gala Dinner and the Xperience offer are booked separately.
Pricing
Discover our packages, their prices and everything they include to experience Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora 2026.
The benefits below describe the Xperience offer, from 23 to 30 October. The Economic Day and the Gala Dinner are separate registrations: each card states what it includes.
Accommodation
- 4-star hotel stay in Abidjan
- Accommodation for the full stay (8 days / 7 nights)
Full board
- Daily breakfasts
- Organized lunches
- Organized dinners
- Culinary experience integrated into the program
Transfers, travel and visits
- All group travel included in the program
- Airport, hotel and activity transfers
- Site visits and property developments
- Company and institution visits
Economic day
- Economic day with institutions and decision-makers
- Panels: investment / entrepreneurship / relocation
- Recruitment and expatriation workshops
- High-level networking
- Direct access to speakers, institutions and partners
Cultural and tourist immersion
- Abidjan tour — discover the city's iconic places
- Return to roots: Slave Route in Tiassalé
- Excursion to Yamoussoukro, political capital of Côte d'Ivoire
- Nature and relaxation day
- Local cultural activities
Premium event access
- Access to the Excellence Gala Dinner
- Gastronomic dinner
- Prestige evening with personalities, institutions and decision-makers
Welcome and overall experience
- Full organization of the stay
- Support from the team
- Structured, secure and guided experience
Registration
Choose your package
Three separate registrations. Each card shows the price, what is included and how to book.
Saturday 24 October
Economic Day
50 000 FCFA
Access to the full day at the Congress Palace: keynotes, round table, panels, seven workshops and partner moments.
- Saturday 24 October programme, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:35 p.m.
- Congress Palace, Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire
- The Casino Barrière VIP lunch is by invitation, for speakers, sponsors and VIPs
- The Gala Dinner is not included
Evening of 24 October
Excellence Gala Dinner
150 000 FCFA
The prestige evening, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., hosted by John Jay and Yasmine Reda.
- Addresses, gourmet dinner and awards
- Speed networking
- Dance evening and live orchestra
- Economic Day access is not included
23 – 30 October
Xperience offer
2300€
or 4× €575, no fees
The week on site, without flights. Accommodation, full board, transfers, Economic Day, Gala Dinner and excursions.
- 23 to 30 October 2026
- 4-star hotel and full board
- Economic Day and Gala Dinner included
- Pay in 3 or 4 instalments, at no extra cost
Instalment plan
Pay in 3 or 4 instalments
Spread your package over several payments, at no extra cost. The total stays exactly the price shown.
3 instalments
€766.68 then 2× €766.66
- One payment per month
- No additional fees
That is €2,300 in total — the advertised price.
4 instalments
€575 per instalment
- One payment per month
- No additional fees
That is €2,300 in total — the advertised price.
Payment in 3 or 4 instalments, at no extra cost, is available on the Xperience offer. The Economic Day and the Gala Dinner are paid in one go.
Quick comparison
Compare at a glance
Economic Day
The 24 October day
50 000 FCFA
- Economic Day
- Excellence Gala Dinner (not included)
- 4-star hotel (not included)
- Full board (not included)
- Transfers and transportation (not included)
- Cultural and tourist excursions (not included)
- On-site support (not included)
Gala Dinner
The 24 October evening
150 000 FCFA
- Economic Day (not included)
- Excellence Gala Dinner
- 4-star hotel (not included)
- Full board (not included)
- Transfers and transportation (not included)
- Cultural and tourist excursions (not included)
- On-site support (not included)
Xperience
The week on site, without flights
2300€
- Economic Day
- Excellence Gala Dinner
- 4-star hotel
- Full board
- Transfers and transportation
- Cultural and tourist excursions
- On-site support
| Included items | Economic Day | Gala Dinner | Xperience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 50 000 FCFA | 150 000 FCFA | 2300€ |
| Economic Day | Not included | ||
| Excellence Gala Dinner | Not included | ||
| 4-star hotel | Not included | Not included | |
| Full board | Not included | Not included | |
| Transfers and transportation | Not included | Not included | |
| Cultural and tourist excursions | Not included | Not included | |
| On-site support | Not included | Not included | |
What is not included in the offers
For full transparency, the following remain at the participant's expense, regardless of the package chosen.
- Personal expenses on site (shopping, individual leisure, unplanned purchases, etc.)
- Visa fees (if applicable depending on nationality)
- Vaccinations and possible medical costs (yellow fever or other health recommendations)
- Individual travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Possible individual supplements (single room, personalized services, etc.)
- Any service not explicitly listed in the "included" section
I have a question
A question about offers, payment or the program? Ask here and contact us directly on WhatsApp.
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Booking FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see pricing?
Prices are shown directly on this page, for each package.
When will I be contacted?
We get back to you on WhatsApp within a maximum of 24 hours.
Can I change my package later?
Yes, as long as final confirmation has not been validated with the team.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, for the Xperience offer: 3 or 4 instalments, at no extra cost. The total stays exactly the advertised price. The Economic Day and the Gala Dinner are paid in one go.
Is the flight included?
No. No package includes international transport. Xperience covers the stay on site; the Economic Day and the Gala Dinner are access passes for 24 October.
Ready to join the adventure?
Choose your package and contact our team to finalize your registration.
Previous editions
Before Abidjan, Paris hosted full rooms, powerful encounters and transformed trajectories.
Archives
An unforgettable experience
Le Diamant Bleu400 participants
“An immersive evening in the heart of Paris. Paris, the Seine, elegance and prestige. The Gala establishes itself as the diaspora reference.”
Join the 2026 legacyNetworking cruise
Artistic showcase
2026 edition launch
The movement continues in 2026
The next level could no longer happen elsewhere. The Excellence Gala now takes place in Africa for a full 8-day immersion.
Exceptional moments
Immersion
Abidjan and surroundings
Abidjan & Surroundings
Select a location
Click a marker to explore key event locations.
Stories of transformation
“It's an extraordinary moment. The times when we come together, talk to each other, and celebrate women and men who build businesses and succeed.”
Claudy Siar
Journalist and radio host
“This kind of platform is extremely important for Afro-descendants and the diaspora to organize, structure themselves and speak with one voice to have economic and political impact on the continent.”
Stanislas Zézé
CEO, Bloomfield
“Through this event, Esther Boua showed what Africa can achieve with synergy and determination.”
Manuela Kameni
Member of Esther Boua Consulting's leadership team
“It's an extraordinary moment. The times when we come together, talk to each other, and celebrate women and men who build businesses and succeed.”
Claudy Siar
Journalist and radio host
“This kind of platform is extremely important for Afro-descendants and the diaspora to organize, structure themselves and speak with one voice to have economic and political impact on the continent.”
Stanislas Zézé
CEO, Bloomfield
“Through this event, Esther Boua showed what Africa can achieve with synergy and determination.”
Manuela Kameni
Member of Esther Boua Consulting's leadership team
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know
Answers to the most common questions from diaspora members.
Your future in Africa starts now
You can keep thinking about it — or decide to act today.