Cote d’Ivoire has experienced an impressive turnaround since 2012, with growth averaging 9 percent during 2012-15, accompanied by prudent fiscal policies and debt management, improved access to capital markets, and the return of foreign direct investment. Over the past four years, Cote d’Ivoire has gained 40 positions in the Global Competitiveness Index, 35 places in the World Bank’s survey-based “Doing Business” ranking, and 6 spots in the World Economic Forum’s Enabling Trade index. The 2016-20 National Development Plan (NDP) aims to consolidate the conditions for strong and inclusive growth and poverty reduction through investment in infrastructure and social sectors, as well as the structural transformation of the economy by the private sector.
| Key Indicators | |
| Population, millions | 25 |
| GDP per Capita, U.S. dollars | 1621 |
| GDP Growth, percent |
7.8 |
| Inflation, end of period, percent | 0.83 |
| General Government Debt, percent | 47 |
| Global Competitiveness Ranking 2017-18 | n/a |
| Doing Business Ranking, 2019 | 122 |
| *Figures are for the period 2017, unless otherwise indicated. | |
Agriculture
- World top cocoa producer, cashew producer, and Africa’s first rubber and second palm oil producer
- Agricultural production in key commodities (cashew and rubber) has doubled in last decade
- Only 40% of arable land is currently used, leaving room for additional expansion in agriculture for exports and food production
- Low level of industrialization/transformation in the main crops indicate opportunities for investment in processing and to build capacity of the agribusiness segment to enhance value-add potential
- Attractive incentives under the new Investment Code
- Favorable climate: a very agri-friendly soil, with temperate and tropical conditions conducive to many crops
- Regional integration momentum provides growing customer base in WAEMU for the country’s agricultural production; and growing world population to continue to make food a priority for years tocome, both in Africa and globally
Infrastructure
- Extensive road development program (total cost of US$ 6.46 billion (Euro 5.73 billion) between 2016 and 2020); includes the improvement and renovation of 3,916 km of interurban asphalt roads.
- Public Private Partnerships: 114 major transformational projects—US$ 23 billion (EUR 11.8 billion) approximately
Specific initiatives
- Expansion of Abidjan airport
- Rehabilitation and operation of the Abidjan-Ouagadougou-Kaya railway axis
- Construction and operation of the Second Container Terminal in Abidjan TC2, and the construction of a multipurpose industrial terminal
- Expansion and optimization of San Pedro portProject to provide water to Greater Abidjan area
Energy
Côte d’Ivoire intends to double its current energy capacity (from 2000 MW to 4000 MW by 2020). Opportunities exist in:
- Thermal/gas-fired plants
- Hydropower with untapped potential: for example Louga: 275 MW; Bouloumere: 150MW; Tiboto: 200 MW; Aboisso-Comoe: 150 MW; Gribopopoli: 110MW
- Renewable energy (biomass) using the country’s sizable waste from cocoa, palm oil, and cashew
- Energy Distribution Network: extension, development and maintenance of the distribution network under PPP arrangements
Mining
- Largely unexploited mining resources (gold, nickel, manganese, iron ore, bauxite, cobalt, etc.)
- Gold reserves approximately 600 tons
- 3 billion tons of iron ore deposits in Mt Gao (close to Guinea border)
- Construction of railway (cost US$1 bn) to transport minerals and unlock the mining potential
- Direct and indirect business to over 200 local SMEs
- Greater transparency in the process of awarding mining Concessions
