Industry & Retail
From The Report: Cote d'Ivoire 2022
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By investing heavily in the development of the industrial sector and making national policy more favourable for private investment, the government has helped accelerate the growth of industry. Traditional sectors such as agriculture are being transformed as processing capabilities expand through the development of new industrial zones, adding greater value to the sector. Furthermore, international investment in the oil and gas industry, expected to grow substantially over the next decade, will be complemented by the ongoing development of the renewable energy sector. The country’s retail sector has expanded significantly in recent years, attracting foreign brands and seeing the emergence of a number of national retail companies. Greater formalisation could fuel retail sector growth as urbanisation encourages consumers to spend in supermarkets and shopping malls. However, much of the retail market remains informal, with low interest in formalising due to the high costs.

This chapter includes interviews with Christian Schindler, Director-General, International Textile Manufacturers Federation; and Pascal Bordeaux, General Manager, CFAO Retail – Carrefour Côte d’Ivoire.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Making a mark: The world’s biggest cocoa producer is creating opportunities for investment in processing, energy and transport
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As urbanisation continues, the industrial sector is growing, with more people being employed in industry while traditional agricultural employment decreases. However, agriculture continues to play a significant part in the industrial sector through the development of new processing and packaging facilities. Cocoa and cotton, two major exports, were largely resilient to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and government support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ensured that producers…

Analysis

Eyes on the future: The government is looking to minerals, pharmaceuticals and more for development beyond agro-industry
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The government has introduced several new policies to enhance the country’s industrial sector and, in turn, enable private and foreign investors to enter the market. While agro-industry remains the country’s largest industrial segment, the authorities plan to develop other industries and export sectors as the country’s population becomes increasingly urbanised. Industrial Development The National Development Plan (Plan National de Développement, PND) 2021-25 focuses on governance and modernisation…

Interview

Dress for success: Christian Schindler, Director-General, International Textile Manufacturers Federation, on how West Africa can position itself as a leader in textiles and apparel
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Interview:Christian Schindler What factors underpin West Africa’s potential to be a regional leader in textiles? CHRISTIAN SCHINDLER: West Africa has not traditionally been known as a destination for textiles or apparel manufacturing. Now that nearshoring is gaining traction, several factors work in favour of efforts to capture a share of China’s market share. The most evident of these is the abundance of cotton grown in the region. West Africa’s location is attractive relative to Asia,…

Overview

Promising trend: Retail is undergoing a rapid transformation, supported by favourable demographics and a growing e-commerce segment
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The retail sector in Côte d’Ivoire has expanded significantly in recent years, attracting foreign brands and seeing the emergence of a number of national retail companies. The issuance of identification cards to official retail traders has helped organise the largely informal commercial sector. The programme also enables small shopkeepers to gain better access to funding. Several new opportunities for growth are emerging as the country undergoes rapid urbanisation, its middle class expands and…

Analysis

Bouncing back: Despite ongoing challenges, growth and purchasing power are trending upwards after a pandemic-related slowdown
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West Africa is experiencing a higher rate of inflation due to lingering pandemic-related challenges, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Constraints on commodity supply chains have dramatically increased the price of several goods, such as food and energy. Meanwhile, sanctions on Russian exports, especially oil and gas, are likely to push global prices higher, making it more difficult for consumers to access several products due to price and scarcity. Inflation Situation According…

Interview

Evolving market: Pascal Bordeaux, General Manager, CFAO Retail – Carrefour Côte d’Ivoire, on rising demand for e-commerce solutions
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Interview:Pascal Bordeaux What are the main assets that characterise the retail market in Côte d’Ivoire? PASCAL BORDEAUX: Côte d’Ivoire has seen an improvement in several macroeconomic indicators in recent years, with GDP increasing at a rate of between 7.5% and 8% annually since 2012. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Côte d’Ivoire was one of the few countries around the world that saw positive GDP growth in 2020. Additionally, of the 26m people living in the country, a large percentage…