The Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the Republic of Ivory Coast have recently implemented a cooperation agreement on immigration and security.
The agreement, reached in Abidjan on March 22, 2023, aims to create a framework for collaboration between the two countries to promote and develop mechanisms to prevent and fight crime and terrorism.
Subject of the agreement
With Law No. 139 of September 17, 2025, published in the Official Gazzette No. 288 of October 1, 2025, the Italian Parliament ratified the agreement with Ivory Coast, making it effective as of October 2, 2025.
The need to sign and agreement between the parties stems from the recognition of the need to strengthen international cooperation between the police authorities of the two countries in preventing and fighting transnational organized crime and international terrorism.
Therefore, the parties, in accordance with the national legislation and international obligations of their respective countries, undertake to cooperate in areas such as crimes against persons, health protection, and the illicit trafficking of migrants, illegal substances and weapons. The areas of cooperation also include crimes against cultural heritage, cybercrimes, corruption, and piracy.
Forms of cooperation
The two countries undertake to cooperate in implementing the agreement through various methods, including the exchange of information, analysis of criminal phenomena, and sharing of operational tools and best practices, as well as the adoption of measures necessary to coordinate the implementation of special investigative techniques and strategic cooperation.
These forms of cooperation include the exchange of information on illegal immigration in their respective countries, checks on passports and other travel documents, visas, and entry and exit stamps, to detect false and forged documents.
In addition, it provides for the identification and readmission of their own citizens present in the territory of the other State in an irregular situation about immigration legislation, with the possibility of drawing up an implementation protocol containing the operational procedures for better cooperation.
Consequences for immigration in Italy
The cooperation agreement between Italy and Ivory Coast is advantageous when it comes to the entry of foreign workers into Italy within the three-year entry quotas approved by the government.
In fact, the 2026-2028 immigration decree, preliminarily approved by the Council of Ministers, provides for the entry of approximately 497,550 foreign workers over three years for subordinate, self-employed and seasonal work.
Within the quotas provided for in the immigration decree, each year takes into account existing cooperation in the field of migration with countries of origin, and quotas are provided for citizens of countries with which such agreements come into force.
For example, quotas are provided for non-seasonal employees who are citizens of countries with which, during the three-year reference period, cooperation agreements on migration come into force: 18,000 in 2026, 26,000 in 2027 and 34,000 in 2028. For more information on how and when to submit applications for work permits under the quota system, please see our article on the changes introduced by the 2025 immigration decree.
