Interview: Ramzi Omais How accessible are other ECOWAS member countries for Ivorian exports? RAMZI OMAIS: Geographically, Côte d’Ivoire benefits from its strategic position, which has been at the forefront of the country’s economic policy for decades. The country’s strong network of roads enables us access to all of the ECOWAS member states, while its port infrastructure gives us entrance…
Interview: Ibrahima Koné How has ICT integration benefitted the transport sector in Côte d’Ivoire? IBRAHIMA KONE: In terms of pricing, the implementation of an integrated management system has enabled us to substantially reduce the price of permits and documentation by as much as 75%. Before the introduction of such measures, and in addition to registering in a transport registry, road carriers…
Interview: Abdoulaye Coulibaly What measures are being put in place to increase the airport’s attractiveness? ABDOULAYE COULIBALY: In 2016 the government decided to lower several taxes, which will cut costs for airlines operating in Côte d’Ivoire. The Treasury tax and national solidarity tax have both been abolished, and the tourism tax has been halved. While we are constantly aiming to lower…
Interview: Stefan Heeb What is the current demand for cement in Côte d’Ivoire and how are producers responding? STEFAN HEEB: Cement producers are currently in a favourable position in Côte d’Ivoire. The myriad infrastructure projects planned by the government will become a driving force behind further direct and indirect private investment in the country. Cement consumption in Côte d’Ivoire…
Interview: Bruno Nabagné Koné How can digitalisation be developed and expanded throughout Côte d’Ivoire? BRUNO NABAGANE KONE: The first step is to ensure reliable high throughput connectivity throughout the country. This is being achieved through extending the national fibre-optic backbone, coupled with boosting the bandwidth of the “last-mile” segment by the use of technology, such as high…
Interview:Saliou Touré What can be done to improve higher education enrolment rates in Côte d’Ivoire? SALIOU TOURE: Enrolment in higher education is undeniably linked to the development of primary – and secondary – level education, which provides students with the educational basis on which to succeed in university. Like all countries going through a period of turmoil, the years leading…
Interview: Ange Désiré Yapi What are some of the challenges facing the universal health care system in Côte d’Ivoire? ANGE DESIRE YAPI: The supply chain of pharmaceutical products in Côte d’Ivoire is secured from the conception of the product up to the initial phase of distribution, meaning to university, district and regional health centres. However, given the use of independent distribution…
Interview:Michel K Brizoua-Bi; Joachim Bilé-Aka What major legislative and regulatory changes can we expect in the short term? MICHEL K BRIZOUA-BI & JOACHIM BILÉ-AKA: Between 2012 and 2016 we have seen several regulatory changes, including the revision of corporate law, a new mining code, the creation of commercial courts and the liberalisation of the energy sector through six new decrees…
Interview:Kinapara Coulibaly What are some of the main infrastructure projects on the horizon for Côte d’Ivoire? KINAPARA COULIBALY: In 2016 the government approved the urban master plan for greater Abidjan, which includes several infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Banko Bay Bridge – also known as the fourth bridge – which will ease traffic in the north of the city…
Interview:Georges Philippe Ezaley Which sectors offer the most potential for economic growth in Grand-Bassam? GEORGES PHILIPPE EZALEY: As the major tourist destination in Côte d’ Ivoire for both the local and international community, Grand-Bassam offers an array of tourism attractions. Given its proximity and ease of access to the economic capital and airport, Grand-Bassam plays a key role…
