The government of Côte d’Ivoire has enacted sweeping reforms to its general pension scheme, doubling the minimum monthly pension for retirees and orphans.
The measures, adopted by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, are set to significantly improve the lives of thousands of beneficiaries.
Managed by the National Social Security Fund (CNPS), the reform package reflects the national commitment to social transformation under President Alassane Ouattara’s vision for a more inclusive and supportive social protection system. Minister of Employment and Social Protection, Adama Kamara, championed the changes, affirming their dedication to ensuring “more dignified and fairer living conditions” for Ivorian workers and retirees.
The reforms, which will take effect at the end of October 2025, include four primary measures: The minimum monthly pension is doubled from 30,000 CFA francs to 60,000 CFA francs. A minimum proportional pension of 37,500 CFA francs is introduced. This provides better protection for workers who have not completed a full career.
The formula for calculating pension annuities is improved. The annuity rate is set at 2% for the first 15 years of a career, followed by 1.7% for subsequent years. Crucially, the replacement rate (the portion of a retiree’s final salary covered by the pension) cap is removed, allowing it to potentially reach 100% of the average reference salary, up from the previous limit of 50%.
The criteria for granting the orphan’s pension are broadened. Children who have lost only one working parent are now eligible to receive the benefit, whereas previously, both parents had to be deceased.
The government projects a substantial long-term impact from these parametric reforms. Starting in 2026, more than 39,000 retirees will immediately benefit from the minimum pension increase, a figure expected to rise to over 112,000 by 2050. The proportional and orphan’s pension measures will also provide crucial relief to low-income families across the nation.
The CNPS will oversee the technical and operational rollout of these provisions. By improving benefits while simultaneously ensuring the long-term viability of the system, the Ivorian government aims to solidify social protection as a powerful lever for social justice, dignity, and shared prosperity. The reforms complement the biennial pension increases already implemented by the CNPS, further confirming the commitment to enhancing the population’s well-being.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA