Abidjan, Aug. 8 -- Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand concluded a visit to Benin and Cote d'Ivoire on Thursday, announcing new investments and agreements as Canada seeks to strengthen its economic and diplomatic engagement with West Africa.

The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a mechanism for bilateral consultations to deepen cooperation between the countries.

Anand also announced plans to begin negotiations to expand the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and Cote d'Ivoire, a move Ottawa said would strengthen commercial and people-to-people ties.

Canada announced about C$68.4 million in financing and funding for Cote d'Ivoire, including a roughly C$65 million loan through FinDev Canada to NSIA Ban...