"Ivory Coast, a pillar of resilience and a driver of growth in West Africa in 2024."

In his end-of-year speech delivered on December 31, 2024, President Alassane Ouattara highlighted the remarkable resilience of the Ivorian economy, attributed to a solid macroeconomic framework and exemplary public finance management. With a GDP growth rate reaching 6.1% in 2024, significantly higher than the regional average of 4.2% within ECOWAS, Côte d'Ivoire is consolidating its role as the economic locomotive in West Africa. The Ivorian Head of State anticipates an acceleration of economic growth to 7% in 2025, thus confirming the country's upward momentum. Meanwhile, debt remains under control with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 56%, well below the community threshold set at 70%, reflecting the budgetary discipline applied by the government.

In the agricultural sector, significant progress has been made, particularly in food crops. The national program has led to a substantial increase in paddy rice production, rising from 846,000 tons in 2011 to 2 million tons in 2024. These advancements bring the country closer to its strategic goal of food sovereignty.

As an energy hub in the region, Côte d'Ivoire benefits from recent discoveries in hydrocarbons and significant gold deposits, notably one recently highlighted in Tanda. However, the development of these natural resources is part of a sustainable approach, with the ambition to increase the share of renewable energies to 45% of the national energy mix by 2030, thereby strengthening its leadership in the energy transition in Africa.

In the area of economic governance, the government continues its efforts to improve the business climate, thereby attracting more international investments. The President reaffirmed that the fight against corruption, money laundering, and the promotion of transparency in public management will be major priorities in 2025. These initiatives aim to strengthen investor confidence, encourage the private sector, and maximize benefits for local populations.

With robust growth, visionary policies, and a strong commitment to sustainable development, Côte d'Ivoire is establishing itself as a central player in the economic dynamism of West Africa and a model of resilience for the continent.

Source :  Government Portal of Côte d'Ivoire, Web Editorial Team MEPD