The results of a stabilized economic recovery
The remarkable GDP growth was maintained at 8% between 2011 and 2019, before the Covid-19 crisis. At the same time, public finances have improved. While the first National Development Plan (PND 2012-2015) focused on major infrastructure works to catalyze economic recovery, the PND 2016-2020, leads to the structural transformation of the economy through industrialization and macroeconomic consolidation through a high level of productive public and private investment. The trade balance is in surplus, amounting to $1.32 million in 2021 according to the WTO, driven by agricultural exports (cocoa, cashew nuts, coffee, cotton, rubber, palm oil, bananas, etc.) and petroleum products (refined and crude). Imported products are mainly fuels, capital goods and foodstuffs. In 2018, the country's top customers were the Netherlands, the United States, Vietnam, Germany and France, while its top suppliers were China, Nigeria, France, India and the Netherlands.
The Côte d'Ivoire Investment Promotion Center notes that between 2013 and 2018, nearly 57,000 businesses employing nearly 150,000 people were created. To attract foreign investors, the country dedicates tax credits, rather than tax exemptions. Finally, donors have regained confidence in Côte d'Ivoire. In 2019, the amount committed reached $11.6 billion, equivalent to 84% of the promises made in three years. These figures are reminiscent of the "Ivorian miracle" during the Houphouët era, between 1960 and 1980. The Ivorian economy has regained its position as the locomotive of West Africa, and is ranked among the ten most competitive African economies.Glaring inequalities and insufficient social progress
The Ivorian National Institute of Statistics counted 10.5 million Ivorians (46% of the population) still living below the US$1.5 poverty line. Where is the money for the Ivorian miracle? It is true that the two Ouattara mandates have brought quantified progress for the poorest. Social spending was CFAF 2,361 billion in 2018, compared to CFAF 845 billion during the last year of Gbagbo's presidency in 2010. Thus, Outarra has kept his electoral promises, a rare thing that should be noted. Nearly 80% of the population now has access to drinking water and electricity, up from 55% in 2011, the rate of access to health services has risen from 44% in 2012 to 69% in 2019, thanks in particular to the Universal Health Coverage (CMU) plan, which since October 2019 covers 3 million people. The country has rehabilitated 40,000 km of roads since 2011, built 22 bridges and 115 km of highways, paved 545 km of interurban roads. Outarra had promised free and compulsory schooling up to age 15: it is now compulsory from age 6 to 16.
But the poorest segment of the population remains on the margins of growth. The lack of jobs and persistent unemployment, the inadequacy of public services, the inequalities between the poorest and the richest, corruption in the administration, and the monopolization of wealth by a handful of privileged people in power, are fuelling strong social tensions. The large-scale construction projects have not allowed the poorest segments of the population to benefit from this economic upturn. "We don't miss tar, we don't eat concrete," they repeat to illustrate their dismay.In addition, the south-north disparity causes enormous inequalities. The south of the country concentrates 85% of economic activity, as Abidjan concentrates the business community, the region's humid tropical climate makes it very suitable for cocoa and coffee crops, and the ports on the coast create strategic economic clusters. The center and north are all bush and rural savanna where non-mechanized agriculture is a subsistence activity.
Agriculture driven by cocoa revenues
In 2021, the primary sector will account for 28 percent of the country's GDP and 40 percent of its exports (62 percent excluding oil). The Ivorian population is equally divided between urban and rural dwellers (approximately 12.5 million of each). The agricultural sector employs 46% of the working population, half of whom work on cocoa plantations, and provides a living for two-thirds of the population, including families. Agriculture is largely mechanized and export-oriented, with foreign investors boosting it. Côte d'Ivoire is the world'sleading producer of cocoa, cashew nuts and kola nuts, the world's5th largest producer of palm oil (2nd largest in Africa), Africa'slargest producer and 7th largest in the world of natural rubber (hevea), Africa's 43rd largest producer of cotton and coffee. Côte d'Ivoire is, along with Cameroon, the leading African exporter of bananas and the 13th largest exporter in the world. The most important agricultural resource is "black gold", cocoa, of which Côte d'Ivoire is the world's leading producer. Problem: the producers' share of income currently represents only about 6% of the total value of the international chocolate sector. Negotiations have begun with traders, processors and manufacturers to increase the value of the sector in Côte d'Ivoire directly.
Industry and energy in strong development
Ivorian industry represents nearly 25% of GDP. Leading the way are oil refining, energy, agribusiness and construction. The mining sector (gold, iron, nickel, manganese, bauxite) and the hydrocarbon sector (crude oil and natural gas) are the priority of massive government investment during Ouattara'ssecond term, making them the second pillar of the Ivorian economy after agriculture. Institutional and business reforms have been carried out to boost the sector.
First, gold mining has been significantly developed. The country produced an average of 25 tons of gold annually between 2015 and 2020, compared to only half that amount in 2012. In energy, the government has invested CFAF 7,000 billion (more than 10 billion euros) between 2011 and 2020 for the program to boost its energy fleet. As a result, capacity increased by 60% over the period to 2,200 MW. The goal was to double this capacity in 2020, thanks to the new Soubré hydroelectric complex built by the Chinese and inaugurated in mid-2017, and even 6,000 MW in 2030 (with the Gribo Popoli dam still under construction, and the project for another dam in the Méagui department). The objective is to meet the ever-increasing local demand, continue exports (20% of power) and allow the development of the agri-food sector and mining activities. In terms of sustainable development, the government's 2030 objective is to establish a mix composed of 60% fossil energy and 40% renewable energy, including at least 6% photovoltaic energy. The first two solar power plants have opened in Korhogo (90 MW), while in Aboisso (southeast), a biomass plant (46 MW) has been operational since 2021. A very high voltage line (225 kilovolts) of 1,300 km is planned from Côte d'Ivoire to Guinea, passing through Liberia and Sierra Leone. Estimated cost: 450 million dollars.Services and tourism on the rise
The tertiary sector accounts for 47% of Ivorian GDP. It is dominated by telecommunications, which continue to develop with the rise of mobile banking, transport (port and air), distribution and financial activities, with nearly thirty commercial banks and thirty insurance companies.
The tourism sector is also very promising. Côte d'Ivoire has become "visitable" again since the end of the post-election crisis in 2011. Nearly 3.4 million tourists have visited the country. The contribution of tourism to Ivorian GDP has thus increased dramatically from 0.6% in 2011 to 7.3% in 2019, just before the Covid-19 crisis. The government's objective is to increase it to 8% in 2025. The organization of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Abidjan in 2024 should boost the sector.
However, the Grand-Bassam terrorist attack in March 2016, which killed 19 people, is a concern for the authorities, as is the advance of terrorists in neighboring Burkina and Mali. Côte d'Ivoire maintains control of its borders and so far no attacks have been recorded in the north of the country.
Who is ADO, Alassane Dramane Ouattara?
His supporters have nicknamed him "Bravetchè", in Dioula "the brave". He is considered a good Ivorian full of qualities when he is in opposition, but suddenly becomes Burkinabè and full of flaws when he comes to power. Bédié, Guéï, Gbagbo have all in turn called him Ivorian, then Burkinabè, according to their interests at the time. Born in Côte d'Ivoire, he nevertheless completed his entire schooling in what is now Burkina Faso, where his father was originally from, before going to study in the United States. He was appointed Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire by Félix Houphouët-Boigny while he was Governor of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). He then aimed at the presidency, which strongly displeased Henri Konan Bédié who had been waiting for years to succeed the old man. His candidacy in the presidential elections of 1995 and 2000 was prevented by the law of "ivoirité" that Konan Bédié promulgated. The ten years of Laurent Gbagbo's reign brought him closer to his former enemy. Thus, Konan Bédié had him elected President by vote transfer in 2010 and 2015. In March 2020, he renounced his bid for a third five-year term in favor of his successor Amadou Gon Coulibaly. But the latter died suddenly in July, ADO decided to run again despite an opposition denouncing thisthird term. He was re-elected at the end of 2020.
The CAN, a highly anticipated event
The Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament will be held in Côte d'Ivoire in January 2024, in the country's main cities where stadiums are being built and almost completed in 2022. Initially scheduled to take place from June to July 2023, the competition has been moved to January 2024 because of the rainy season in Côte d'Ivoire, which takes place at that time, which suits the schedule well to finalize the major works begun in the country before the competition. It is highly anticipated by Ivorians who expect a lot from their national team at home and creates a real urban dynamic. Not only will the main cities be equipped with new stadiums that will be used to host other competitions and large-scale shows in Abidjan (60,000 seats), Bouaké (40,000 seats), San Pedro, Yamoussoukro and Korhogo (20,000 seats each), but above all, roads are being built to facilitate the transportation of fans and eventually ensure fluid connections in the country. The Yamoussoukro - Bouaké highway is about to be completed, as is the Bouaké Korhogo road, while the ambitious coastal road linking Abidjan and San Pedro, which has been almost impassable for years, is nearing completion
