Côte d’Ivoire and U.S. Reach Drone Access Agreement: Implications for West African Security and Geopolitics
Executive Summary
In May 2025, Côte d’Ivoire and the United States reached an agreement in principle to allow U.S. drone operations from Ivorian territory, marking a pivotal shift in West African security architecture. The accord, which centers on U.S. access to the Bouaké air base and possibly other sites, comes amid the U.S. withdrawal from Niger and the rapid recalibration of Western military strategies in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea. This development not only underscores Côte d’Ivoire’s emergence as a regional security partner but also signals a new phase of great power competition in Africa, as the U.S. seeks to counter the expanding influence of Russia and China while responding to the region’s escalating jihadist threats.
