The United States is in discussions with Côte d’Ivoire over the potential setup of a drone base, signaling a deeper military partnership in West Africa.
The talks took a key step forward during a recent high-level meeting in Abidjan between U.S. military officials and Ivorian defense authorities.
On April 24, General Michael Langley, commander of the U.S. Africa Command (Africom), met with Ivorian Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara. The two held formal talks focused on strengthening defense cooperation. Among the key points discussed was the possible establishment of a U.S. drone base on Ivorian soil.
The meeting, also attended by U.S. Ambassador Jessica Davis Ba, included a cordial exchange of gifts, reflecting a friendly diplomatic tone. But beneath the surface, the talks addressed serious strategic matters. The U.S. sees Côte d’Ivoire as a stable and important partner in a region facing growing threats from armed groups and instability in nearby countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
American officials are reportedly keen to increase their presence in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly as several U.S. drone operations in the Sahel are under review following recent political shifts and anti-Western sentiment in neighboring states.
Côte d’Ivoire has maintained closer ties with Western allies, and the Ivorian government has signaled openness to deeper cooperation—though it has not confirmed any agreement to host a U.S. drone facility. For Washington, such a base would boost surveillance capabilities and intelligence-gathering efforts across West Africa, where insurgent movements are expanding.
From Abidjan’s perspective, closer military cooperation with the United States could bring increased security support and access to advanced defense technology. It could also position the country as a key U.S. ally in the region.
While the idea of a drone base remains under discussion, the meeting itself signals growing interest from both sides in formalizing a broader military relationship. No final decision has been announced, and any move forward would likely require further negotiations and domestic approval.
As insecurity spreads across parts of West Africa, countries like Côte d’Ivoire are becoming increasingly important in regional security strategies. Whether or not a U.S. drone base is built, this latest development shows that Abidjan and Washington are moving toward a stronger defense partnership.