Côte d’Ivoire

Over the past 15 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.

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 30 % of its total production.

Political Situation

In early 2026, Côte d’Ivoire appointed a new cabinet, maintaining continuity in most senior ministries while bringing in select new appointments to strengthen governance and expertise.

Côte d’Ivoire’s economy has demonstrated resilient growth amid global shocks, recording an average real GDP growth of 6.5% from 2021 to 2023 and 6.3% in 2024. Growth remained robust at 6.3% in 2025, supported by strong private demand, near-zero inflation (0.1%), and a decade-high trade surplus.

On the supply side, industry, led by construction and expanding hydrocarbons, along with a dynamic services sector, has been pivotal. Rising international cocoa prices have boosted producer incomes, while declining inflation and budgetary and structural reforms have bolstered investor confidence.

The outlook remains favorable, with growth projected at 5.8% in 2026 should Middle East tensions persist, averaging 6.4% through 2028. This will be led by hydrocarbons, services, and private investment, though strong headwinds prevail.

To achieve its 2030 objectives, including halving poverty, and reach upper-middle-income status by 2035, the government has launched the $206 billion National Development Plan (NDP 2026–30). This targets 7.2% annual growth and four million decent jobs. Success hinges on tackling structural bottlenecks such as a fragmented land market, infrastructure gaps, weak human capital, limited access to finance, and maintaining macroeconomic discipline, alongside further business and infrastructure reforms to boost the private sector.

In the cocoa sector, measures are underway to ensure producers receive fair compensation and access to markets amid fluctuating global prices, supporting rural livelihoods and economic stability.

As of December 2025, the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project – Phase 3 (PEJEDEC-3), has reached 89,105 direct beneficiaries—achieving over 83% of its total target—with a strong focus on gender parity. Through its territorial component, PEJEDEC-3 has successfully integrated over 67,500 young people into the workforce.

Through the Côte d’Ivoire National Electricity Digitalization and Access (NEDA) project, over 1.7 million people, including 800,000 women, have gained life-changing electricity access. By providing affordable payment plans to 321,000 vulnerable households, the program has moved beyond basic lighting to fuel local entrepreneurship in sewing, carpentry, and digital services. This progress is anchored by 1,500 km of new grid extensions bringing reliable power and enhanced public security to 90 localities.

The Competitive Value Chains for Jobs and Economic Transformation Project (PCCET) has delivered measurable economic empowerment across the mango, shea, and palm oil sectors, providing critical assets and training to over 28,600 producers and nearly 20,000 individuals, with a significant focus on women entrepreneurs who have seen average profit increases of over 11%.

Since 2015, the Productive Social Safety Net project has delivered life-changing support to over 3 million individuals (525,000 vulnerable households) through digital cash transfers and a comprehensive suite of economic inclusion measures. 65% of direct recipients are women, and the initiative has established approximately 7,000 independent village credit and saving associations (AVECs) that drive local investment and social cohesion. The program has institutionalized social protection architecture by developing the Unique Social Registry, a database of 1.5 million households that ensures efficient targeting for universal health coverage and adaptive responses to climate-related shocks like flooding.

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. 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.

Portfolio

The World Bank’s active portfolio totals $5.2 billion across 26 projects, primarily in sustainable development (28%), infrastructure (27%), and governance (29%).

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.

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.

As of February 28, 2026, the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, housed at MIGA, has an active exposure of $1.51 billion (MIGA – $705.4 million, IDA/IBRD – $802.4 million) in Côte d’Ivoire ranking it as the nineteenth largest host country in MIGA’s global portfolio and fourth in Africa and highlighting the country’s strategic importance to the Platform. This exposure spans across thirteen projects in the energy, infrastructure, tourism, and trade finance sectors.

Beyond country-specific operations, MIGA has also supported the West African Development Bank (BOAD) of which Côte d'Ivoire is a member—through guarantees that have enabled the mobilization of $535 million in commercial financing to support BOAD’s lending for sustainable and climate-related public and private sector projects across its member countries. Under the new WBG Guarantee Platform, MIGA will deepen collaboration across the Group to de-risk foreign investment and focus on projects that reflect the Platforms core objectives.