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Overview

Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa and cashew producer, is experiencing one of the fastest sustained economic growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa in over a decade. With real GDP growth averaging 8.2% between 2012-2019, Côte d’Ivoire successfully contained the COVID-19 pandemic and maintained a 2% rate in 2020. In 2021, the country returned to its high-growth trajectory and continues to play a central role as a regional economic hub and host country for many nationals from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and elsewhere.

Economic Overview

In 2022, Ivorian economic activity remained robust, despite facing challenges arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, global monetary tightening, and growing political instability in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). Despite rising import prices, rising global and domestic interest rates, and declining external demand, economic growth is forecast to fall from 7% in 2021 to 6.7% in 2022.

Growth was largely driven by sustained public investment and strong domestic consumption.  Industrial and service sectors and the government's fiscal measures to control price rises also contributed to this economic performance in the first half of the year.

Inflation averaged 5.2% in 2022, marking its highest level in a decade, driven by rising food, transport and energy prices. Nevertheless, the short- and medium-term economic outlook remains positive, albeit slightly below pre-COVID-19 levels. This optimism is underpinned by a strong commitment to macroeconomic stability and ongoing structural reforms in line with the National Development Plan (NDP 2021-2025).

Real GDP growth is expected to average 6.5% in 2024-25. Continued investment in network infrastructure, particularly in the digital and transport sectors, and the exploitation of recent oil discoveries, combined with prudent macroeconomic policies, should boost business confidence and boost productivity. Projects to develop value chains have the potential to improve agricultural productivity and boost manufacturing, underpinning long-term growth prospects.

Political Context

In September 2023, Côte d'Ivoire held municipal and regional elections that were largely won by the RHDP [Rassemblement des Houphoutistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix], the party in power since 2011. This double ballot, a test for the country's main political parties ahead of the 2025 presidential election, was unanimously hailed as inclusive, open and peaceful by all national and international observers. Since the resolution of tensions linked to the 2020 presidential election, at the end of which President Ouattara was re-elected for a third consecutive term, Côte d'Ivoire has enjoyed notable political and social stability. However, the country is facing a humanitarian challenge in its northern part, bordering Burkina Faso, due to the influx of refugees mainly fleeing jihadist violence in the neighboring country.

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2023

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Côte d’Ivoire: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

*Amounts include IBRD and IDA commitments
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Additional Resources

Country Office Contacts

Main Office Contact
Banque Mondiale
01 BP. 1850
Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire
(225) 22 400 400
For general information and inquiries
Enoh N'dri N’guessan
External Affairs Officer
For project-related issues and complaints