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Côte d’Ivoire has made a concerted effort in recent years to improve access to health care, rehabilitate and build facilities, and develop technical platforms aligned with international standards. There remains room for improvement in terms of quality, especially as universal health coverage is rolled out. Even so, efforts to expand access have been key to addressing the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic that emerged in early 2020. Efforts to boost access to education have had positive results at the primary level, where attendance surged. Despite investment aimed at recruiting teachers and building facilities, the situation continues to be more challenging at the higher levels. Access to secondary education remains limited and classes in public high schools overcrowded. While demo-graphics place significant pressure on the system and will necessitate more investment in all levels, plans to build more public universities, develop new trainings and reform vocational education bode well for the future. This chapter contains an interview with Eugène Aka-Aouélé, Minister of Health.

High levels of economic growth beginning in 2012 and the government’s efforts to make Abidjan a destination for regional conferences have allowed business tourism to flourish, resulting in rapid development of the hospitality industry. As of mid-April 2020 the full extent of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Côte d’Ivoire’s tourism sector remained unclear; however, the crisis is expected to significantly affect tourism numbers on a global scale in 2020. Nonetheless, the government’s ambitious plans to develop the leisure segment demonstrate the clear political will to make the sector a key driver of the economy in the long term. To succeed, Côte d’Ivoire will continue to develop its infrastructure – especially in the interior of the country with roads and airports – and diversify its offerings in terms of beach destinations, as well as cultural and nature tourism. This chapter contains an interview with Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism.

Côte d’Ivoire has seen some significant developments in its ICT sector in recent years. As the number of internet users continues to increase, so have the opportunities for digital service providers. Significant progress towards digitalisation in both the public and private sectors has also been realised. The government recently achieved milestones in its initiatives to digitalise official processes and services. Moving forward, demand for ICT services is set to rise, particularly as the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 led businesses, schools and government bodies to switch to remote working in response to travel restrictions. While this shift was already under way prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, the pandemic is likely to accelerate the development of the country’s digital economy. This chapter contains an interview with Ange Frédérick Balma, Founder and CEO, LiFi-LED; and Philippe Pango, CEO, Village of ICT and Biotechnology

The construction of numerous large infrastructure projects has contributed considerably to economic expansion since 2012. The sector’s dynamism has attracted international companies, particularly Chinese firms, which have completed several projects in transport, logistics and energy. With major infrastructure projects nearing completion and others under way, the construction and public works sector is likely to remain a key contributor to the economy in the medium term. Activity has also benefitted from a real estate boom, with many new properties in the pipeline, especially around Abidjan. However, since the government is increasingly looking to private funding to realise its construction and real estate ambitions, delayed investment due to the Covid-19 pandemic may impede meeting targets in 2020. This chapter contains interviews with Bruno Nabagné Koné, Minister of Construction, Housing and Urban Planning; and Clyde Fakhoury, CEO, PFO Africa.

Côte d’Ivoire’s transport sector has attracted significant attention in recent years due to the extensive infrastructure projects that are under way throughout the country, concurrently enhancing air, sea, rail and road connectivity. These projects are set to enable greater passenger flows and increased cargo capacity. While infrastructure development is imperative for the country’s economic growth and offers opportunities for investment, the ongoing development of major projects risks adding strain to Côte d’Ivoire’s existing road, port and rail networks. Funding from a number of multilateral and international organisations, as well as some domestic firms, will provide a greater amount of support to the government’s financing efforts. In the long term this is set reduce the time and cost of transporting passengers and goods, leading to enhanced economic opportunity and improved quality of life, particularly for those in the country’s urban centres. This chapter contains an interview with Asta-Rosa Cissé, Managing Director, Abidjan Terminal/Bolloré Transport & Logistics.

Government initiatives to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s industrial base have continued to yield results. However, despite public investment and government policies that have attracted private participation to the industrial sector, 2020 is likely to be a challenging year, with firms waiting to invest due to supply chain disruptions and the negative demand-side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, current policies and investments already under way leave the country’s industrial sector well positioned for continued growth over the medium and long term. Moreover, the rising number of internet users, which reached 12m in 2018, has fuelled opportunities in e-commerce. While Côte d’Ivoire, like the rest of the world, is experiencing a decline in non-essential retail sales as a result of the global spread of Covid-19, the foundation for long-term growth in the sector is strong. This chapter contains an interview with Souleymane Diarrassouba, Minister of Commerce and Industry; and Abdelmajid Touzani, Regional Director for West Africa, Bühler.