African Atlantic Façade region strengthens safe handling of hazardous chemicals and high-risk installations with EU-supported regional workshop and drill exercise

The safe handling of hazardous chemicals and high-risk installations is a global priority for the strengthening of CBRN risk mitigation. Across regions, these activities present significant challenges, with potential risks to public safety, the environment, and economic stability. The African Atlantic Façade region faces unique challenges due to rapid industrialization and transportation activities involving dangerous materials. Efforts in the region to bolster safety mechanisms are not just about mitigating immediate risks but ensuring a safer, more resilient future for millions of people.

Regional workshop in Abidjan: collaborative solutions for safety & security

As part of its mission to strengthening CBRN risk mitigation, the European Union supported a landmark regional workshop and an emergency drill exercise in the African Atlantic Façade region to strengthen partner countries’ capacities in managing high-risk installations and the transportation of hazardous goods.

Organised within the framework of the EU CBRN CoE, in collaboration with the Secrétariat Exécutif de la Plateforme Nationale de Réduction des Risques et de Gestion des Catastrophes of Côte d’Ivoire, the five-day event (7 – 11 October) gathered in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, experts and officials from 10 African nations, including Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

The workshop was inaugurated by Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Environment, Assahoré Konan Jacques, who emphasized the critical need for regional collaboration. 

“Our shared goal is to create robust mechanisms that prevent disasters while fostering sustainable industrial growth” 

Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Environment, Assahoré Konan Jacques, during the opening session

The event served as a platform for exchanging best practices, with participants attending sessions on risk mitigation, chemical safety, and crisis response. Dr. Sani Abdoulaye, a representative from Niger, expressed optimism about the workshop’s outcomes. 

“This workshop is a step forward in building a safety-first culture across the African Atlantic Façade region”

Dr. Sani Abdoulaye, a representative from Niger

Discover the event photogallery

Simulation exercise: a realistic test of preparedness

A highlight of the workshop was the large-scale emergency simulation exercise conducted at GESTOCI (Société de Gestion des Stocks Pétroliers de Côte d’Ivoire), Côte d'Ivoire Oil Stocks Management Company. The drill, meticulously planned to simulate a chemical fire scenario, aimed to evaluate the company's internal operation plan.

The exercise replicated an industrial disaster scenario where flammable materials ignited in a high-risk zone, triggering an immediate crisis response. Teams worked against the clock to contain the simulated fire, test communication protocols, and evaluate the efficiency of evacuation and mitigation measures.

“This drill underscores the importance of preparation in minimizing risks. It is a reminder of what can happen and how we must be ready to respond” 

GESTOCI Director, General Amidou Coulibaly

Observers praised the exercise as a practical demonstration of preparedness and resilience against CBRN risks in the African Atlantic Façade region.

Discover the event photogallery

Securing high risk installations and dangerous transportation of chemicals in the African Atlantic Façade region 

The European Union supported the regional workshop and drill exercise on securing hazardous chemicals and high-risk installations as part of the EU CBRN CoE Project 95 – ‘Safe transportation and installations using chemicals (SAFETIC)’.

Implemented within the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence, SAFETIC aims to enhance safety protocols, reduce risks, and improve coordination on the safe handling of hazardous chemicals and high-risk installations among partner countries in the African Atlantic Façade region. The 10 participating countries include Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Building on the progress achieved by previous EU CBRN CoE projects (such as P41, 69, 70, 71), SAFETIC adopts a collaborative, four work packages approach, that integrates local and international practices to offer tailor-made solutions for each participating country, including:

• Legal framework formalization
• Emergency plans optimization
• Skills strengthening
• Sustainable regional cooperation

Funded by the European Union, the three-year project is implemented by leading safety organisations Expertise France and the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS).

Read SAFETIC factsheet or visit the project website to learn more about the activities implemented and the expected achievements.