Industry & Retail

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.