From October 23 to 30, 2026, Abidjan will host "Le Grand Retour de la Diaspora" for the first time — an immersive summit previously held in Paris for its first three editions, in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The change of host city marks a turning point for the event, run by Esther Boua Consulting under its general commissioner, Esther Boua.
The 2026 edition takes place under the official patronage of H.E. Adama Dosso, deputy minister for foreign affairs in charge of Ivorians abroad. It is built around an explicit theme: bringing the African diaspora together with Côte d'Ivoire, framed as a space for economic, institutional, cultural and tourism immersion.
About 150 participants will travel from Paris under the "All Inclusive" package, aboard a flight chartered by Air Côte d'Ivoire. They will come from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, England, Italy, Canada, the United States and other European countries. Two other packages, called Xperience and Network, open up to 300 additional spots for those wishing to take part under different arrangements.
The program includes meetings with Ivorian institutions, a day devoted to the economy, and workshops on investment, employment and exploring the local real estate market. Cultural and heritage visits are organized in Abidjan, Tiassalé and Yamoussoukro.
Announced speakers include Stanislas Zézé, CEO of the ratings agency Bloomfield Investment, A'Salfo, singer of the group Magic System and president of its foundation, as well as investor Jean-Yves Bragbo and digital entrepreneur Edith Brou. Organizers also promise a surprise guest, without revealing their identity.
The stated goal goes beyond a simple tourist visit: supporting those who want to invest, start a business, look for work, transfer their skills or prepare a relocation to Côte d'Ivoire. It's an ambition the Ivorian diaspora itself seems eager to see through: according to RTI Infos, this fourth edition is meant to "turn intention into action."
