Government initiatives to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial base have continued to yield results. Following the August 2018 implementation of the new Investment Code, which was modified one year later, companies operating in agro-industry – one of the main pillars of the industrial sector – have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in processing facilities, as well as established…
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engines of global economic growth and employment, accounting for an average of 33% of GDP and 45% of the workforce in high-income countries, and over 60% of GDP and 70% of employment in developing economies. In the case of the latter, the rise in the number of SMEs has been crucial to economic diversification and resilience, particularly in…
Côte d’Ivoire’s transport sector has attracted significant attention in recent years, due to the extensive infrastructure projects that are under way throughout the country, concurrently enhancing air, sea, rail and road connectivity. These projects are set to enable greater passenger flows and increased cargo capacity. While major infrastructure development is imperative for the country’s…
Around the globe the urban transportation sector is seeing rapid expansion, driven by economic growth and demographic shifts towards urbanisation. Politicians, urban planners and private sector actors are working together to find solutions to reduce congestion and increase the speed and efficiency of urban transport. As cities grow and urban economies develop, quality of life indicators can…
The construction of numerous large infrastructure projects has contributed considerably to economic expansion since 2012. The sector, still mostly driven by public investment, has witnessed significant growth in recent years; its dynamism has attracted international companies, particularly Chinese firms, which have completed several important projects in transport, logistics and energy. Activity…
Although construction of a wide range of commercial units and high-value projects have been completed since 2011, there is a housing shortage of 400, 000-600,000 units across the country, with around 200,000 of these in Abidjan alone. As the population and urbanisation rates grow, demand for housing is rising by an estimated 40,000-50,000 units per year. Sector Performance Since 2011 real…
Urbanisation is a mega-trend redefining contemporary life in both developed and emerging markets across the world. According to the UN, in 1950, 751m people lived in urban areas; however, by 2018 this number had risen to 4.2bn, equivalent to roughly 55% of the world’s population. By 2050 the UN estimates that this figure will rise to 68%. This growth is likely to be disproportionately concentrated…
An increasing amount of commercial transactions are moving online, while technology is affecting every facet of the traditional economy. This has provided businesses with new channels to reach existing clients, as well as new opportunities to expand their market share. For consumers, the ever-expanding digital economy promises not only greater access to goods and services, but also to information…
Côte d’Ivoire has seen some significant developments in its ICT sector in recent years. As the number of internet users continues to increase, so have the opportunities for digital service providers. E-commerce platforms and other tech start-ups have also emerged, which serves as a testament to the country’s robust digital ecosystem. Moving forward, demand for ICT services is set to rise,…
With the return of peace and stability, Côte d’Ivoire’s tourism sector has expanded since 2011. High economic growth beginning in 2012 and the government’s efforts to make Abidjan a destination for regional conferences have allowed business tourism to flourish, resulting in rapid development of the hotel industry. However, leisure tourism continues to lag somewhat behind, mainly due…
