Côte d’Ivoire is increasingly recognized as a leader in good economic governance in Africa. Ambitious reforms and prudent public finance management have earned the Ivorian administration praise from the World Bank, the IMF, and financial analysts, who cite it as a continental model.
Since 2011, Côte d’Ivoire’s structural reforms are yielding positive results, including economic diversification, fiscal consolidation, and infrastructure modernization. This has positioned the country as one of the few in the WAEMU region to sustainably reduce its public deficit, aligning with regional criteria.
IMF mission chief Olaf Unteroberdoester confirmed that “fiscal consolidation is on track to reduce deficits to 3 percent of GDP by 2025,” highlighting the confidence of international institutions in the country’s economic performance.
Côte d’Ivoire is also emerging as a hub for financial innovation, notably through its “debt for development” swap initiative launched in late 2024 with World Bank support. This scheme replaced high-interest, short-term commercial debt with a longer-term loan at a favorable rate, saving the country €60 million in net present value and freeing up €330 million in budgetary resources over five years, largely allocated to school infrastructure in disadvantaged rural areas.
The World Bank suggests this model could inspire other emerging nations facing debt burdens and the need for continued public investment. While praised for transparency and effectiveness, its impact on the national budget is currently limited. Nevertheless, the Ivorian experience demonstrates the potential to balance fiscal discipline with social investments through strong institutions and reliable governance.
World Bank Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde lauded the “strong potential for replication” of this innovative approach. The Ivorian example could pave the way for new development financing mechanisms amid decreasing international aid and rising developing country debt.
Bloomfield Intelligence’s “Country Risk Côte d’Ivoire – 2025” report, released last April, highlighted a robust 6.1 percent growth rate in 2024, driven by key sectors and supported by National Development Plan reforms and investments. Growth is projected to reach 6.3 percent in 2025, with official forecasts anticipating 6.7 percent in 2025, fueled by diversification, new oil and gold discoveries, and ongoing reforms. This momentum continues a decade of strong growth, placing Côte d’Ivoire among Africa’s most dynamic economies.
Despite a slight dip in its country risk rating (from 6.5 to 6.3 out of 10), Côte d’Ivoire remains an attractive destination for investors in sub-Saharan Africa, comfortably within the low-risk category. This stability is underpinned by moderate debt and “very strong” macroeconomic performance (scoring 8.1), alongside a stable business climate.
However, the Bloomfield Intelligence report noted a persistent gap between strong economic indicators and social impact, with life expectancy remaining below the global average. This underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure that economic growth translates into tangible improvements in the well-being of all Ivorians, a key challenge as the country approaches the presidential election in October 2025.
CP/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA