Côte d’Ivoire

Over the past ten years, Côte d’Ivoire has undergone a steady and remarkable economic transformation. Known as the world’s top producer of cocoa and cashew, the country has sustained one of the fastest growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa for more than a decade. Between 2012 and 2019, real GDP expanded at an average of 8.2%. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, Côte d’Ivoire managed to contain the impact and posted a growth rate of 2% in 2020. Growth resumed in 2021 and rose to 6 % in 2024, reaffirming the country’s position as both a regional hub and a destination for many nationals from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Côte d’Ivoire has launched an ambitious program to diversify its economy, aiming to move beyond raw commodity exports and secure a stronger place in global value chains on its path to Upper Middle Income Country status. Today, it is also establishing itself as a leader in cashew processing, with exports of processed products surpassing 330,000 tons.

Political Situation

Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled to hold presidential elections on 25 October 2025. Five candidates have been confirmed, including incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term. He faces former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, former Trade Minister Jean Louis Billon, and two independent candidates. The political and social climate has remained stable since the unrest surrounding the controversial 2020 presidential election.

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Côte d’Ivoire’s economy has shown resilient growth in the face of global shocks. The country recorded an average real GDP growth of 6.5% between 2021 and 2023 and reached 6% in 2024, well above the global (2.8%) and regional (3.2%) averages. Growth has been driven by private investment, a dynamic services sector, and inflation contained at 3.5%.

Rising international cocoa prices have boosted producer incomes, while declining inflation and continued budgetary and structural reforms have strengthened investor confidence. The medium-term outlook remains favorable, with growth projected at 6.2% in 2025 and averaging 6.4% through 2027, led by hydrocarbons, services, and private investment.

To achieve its 2030 objectives, including halving poverty, the government will need to deepen reforms and expand fiscal space.

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Universal Health Coverage

The UHC program provides affordable healthcare to all residents. As of 18 July 2025, 28 million people (63% of the population) were enrolled, with over 3,500 health facilities and pharmacies integrated into the network.

Social Protection

The Productive Safety Net Project, supported through Program-for-Results (PforR), reached more than 400,000 poor households (over 2 million individuals) with quarterly digital cash transfers for three years. Beneficiaries also received economic inclusion support to start or expand income-generating activities. The program continues to strengthen the Unified Social Registry and piloted adaptive measures to respond to climate shocks, such as floods.

Education

The Improving Education Service Delivery Project (PAPSE), “My Child Learns Better at School,” helped 63,398 children in grades 1–3, including 31,887 girls, improve reading, writing, and math skills. Early childhood support reached 13,996 children, including 6,974 girls, and 8,595 girls received school kits to encourage attendance.

Access to Drinking Water

The Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Strengthening Project provided improved water supply to 1,983,330 people in 10 secondary cities, exceeding the target of 1,200,000. It facilitated 10 water treatment plants (85,960 m³/day), 12 storage reservoirs (15,550 m³), and 1,823 km of distribution networks.

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Country Partnership Framework

The Government of Côte d’Ivoire is implementing its National Development Plan (PND 2021–2025), mobilizing CFAF 59 trillion (≈$100 billion) to accelerate structural economic transformation and improve access to water, electricity, health, social protection, and employment. The plan also seeks to strengthen the private sector as a key driver of growth.

To support poverty reduction and shared prosperity, the World Bank launched a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF 2023–2027) in February 2023. Developed in consultation with government authorities, the private sector, civil society, and development partners, the CPF aligns with the PND and Vision 2030, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic and social transformation.

The CPF focuses on three priorities:

• Improving human capital to help achieve tangible outcomes and strengthen the social contract between the state and citizens.
• Reducing regional disparities.
• Promoting private investment to create better-quality jobs.

Aligned with the World Bank Group’s regional strategy, the CPF supports ongoing reforms in human capital, natural resource management, and climate resilience.

Portfolio

The World Bank’s active portfolio totals $5.2 billion across 26 projects, primarily in sustainable development (28%), infrastructure (27%), and governance (29%). CPF support aims to achieve 80% household electricity access by 2026 and raise third grade reading proficiency from 18.9% in 2020 to 43% in 2025.

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International Finance Corporation (IFC)

IFC’s country strategy for Côte d’Ivoire focuses on five strategic priorities:

• Increasing agricultural productivity and diversifying exports;
• Improving access to finance via SME banking, digital finance, and local capital markets;
• Strengthening sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure;
• Affordable housing in Greater Abidjan;
• Health, education, and technology.

In addition, it integrates three cross-cutting themes: digital transformation, climate resilience, and gender equality.

IFC Operations

As of January 31, 2025, IFC’s investment portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire totaled approximately $761 million (Infrastructure: 23.5%; Industry, agribusiness, and services: 40.1%; Support to financial institutions: 36.2%). Over the past five years, IFC has invested more than $2.4 billion in Côte d’Ivoire.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)

MIGA currently provides guarantees for investments in Côte d'Ivoire across sectors such as trade, infrastructure—including the HKB bridge project and expansion of the Azito power plant—and tourism.

MIGA recently announced a second trade finance guarantee, in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank Holdings and Mizuho Bank. The goal is to enhance access to trade finance in critical areas such as education, health, water, and electricity.

MIGA has also supported the Kasada hospitality project.

In the past, MIGA supported projects in the gas sector (via Foxtrot) and cocoa processing (with Touton).

MIGA’s portfolio includes projects in digital infrastructure (Raxio), pharmaceutical manufacturing (Cooper Pharma), hospitality (Kasada greenfield), trade finance, and climate (aDryada), in alignment with the World Bank’s Carbon Credit Roadmap.

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