Country Profile
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2022
View in Online Reader

Côte d’Ivoire has a range of natural resources and varied landscapes inhabited by a wide variety of peoples speaking different indigenous languages and practising distinct faiths. Despite the country’s complex political climate, Côte d’Ivoire has come a long way in recovering from a period of civil conflict that ended in 2011. Following a contested presidential election in 2020, the National Assembly elections of 2021 took place in relative calm, a pattern that will hopefully be repeated for the local elections of 2023 and the presidential election scheduled for 2025. Ahead of these ballots, the government has prioritised its ambitious reform agenda and worked to address the main roots of conflict in the country.

This chapter contains a viewpoint from President Alassane Dramane Ouattara and interviews with Kandia Camara, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Diaspora; and Franck Riester, Former Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness of France.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Dynamism and diversity: The country’s vibrant culture, strategic location and ethnically diverse communities add to its economic potential
OBG
plus

A dynamic, diverse and rapidly growing country, Côte d’Ivoire is one of the largest economies in West Africa, with a promising growth outlook and favourable demographic prospects. Côte d’Ivoire has a range of natural resources and varied landscapes inhabited by a wide variety of peoples speaking different indigenous languages and practising distinct faiths. The optimistic economic projections following the Covid-19 pandemic remain counterbalanced by downside risks from global economic instability.…

Viewpoint

Investing in the future: President Alassane Dramane Ouattara, on leveraging large-scale infrastructure projects to facilitate socio-economic development
OBG
plus

Viewpoint:President Alassane Dramane Ouattara Peace and stability were consolidated in 2021, with the first inclusive legislative elections in Côte d’Ivoire in 20 years. On the security front, defence and security forces have been mobilised to counter all issues at a time when terrorism constitutes a threat both within our borders and throughout the subregion. We will continue to strengthen our defence and security capacities. We will also invest in socio-economic infrastructure in order…

Overview

A rich history: The country is taking steps to ensure economic prosperity
OBG
plus

Côte d’Ivoire is part of a region with a vibrant history defined by the movement of goods, peoples and religious evolution. The country is located on the southern edge of the most prominent and wealthy West African empires. Following early Neolithic findings, subsequent populations in the area have left few archaeological traces and evolved on the periphery of the Sudanic empires of Western Sahara. These included the empire of Ghana, with a heartland in western Mali and eastern Mauritania, and…

Interview

Maximum growth: Kandia Camara, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Diaspora, on leveraging diplomacy to attract investment
OBG
plus

Interview:Kandia Camara To what extent could Côte d’Ivoire’s membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strengthen trade ties? KANDIA CAMARA: Côte d’Ivoire is working to boost the value of investment in the country from 23.1% of GDP in 2021 to 27.1% in 2025. This will factor in an increase in the private investment rate from 16.5% of GDP in 2021 to 20.5% over the same period, while public investment will stabilise at 6.6% of GDP. The government will rely on the…

Analysis

The path of diplomacy: Officials focus on strengthening regional and global integration
OBG
plus

Côte d’Ivoire is exploring new friendships, in addition to its traditionally close alignment with France and the West. While the years of conflict chipped away at the country’s regional influence and international diplomatic ties, today Côte d’Ivoire is a crucial member of the regional security infrastructure, notably in opposing the threat of extremism in the Sahel. French Connection In its post-independence years Côte d’Ivoire retained warm relations with France. Indeed, during the…

Interview

Mutual goals: Franck Riester, Former Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness of France, on deepening bilateral cooperation and capacity building
OBG
plus

Interview:Franck Riester How would you assess the level of economic cooperation between France and Côte d’Ivoire? FRANCK RIESTER: Côte d’Ivoire is a major economic partner for France, and our economic cooperation is long-standing and dynamic. This is the reason why our trade has grown since 2014 and has been able to withstand the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, in 2020 Côte d’Ivoire was our second-largest trading partner and second-largest supplier among the sub-Saharan…