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Côte d’Ivoire aims to establish tourism as the third pillar of its economy, with a target of attracting 5m foreign tourists per year and creating 700,000 jobs in the sector by 2025. These goals seek to build on the substantial gains the sector has made since the political and security situation stabilised in 2012. Tourism has grown steadily in the subsequent years, with international tourist arrivals rising 10-fold in 2011-19. The sector’s contribution to GDP increased from 0.6% to 8.5% over that same period, indicating robust recovery. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the imposition of global travel restrictions in early 2020, the government is forging ahead with investment plans to establish Côte d’Ivoire as a regional tourist destination. This chapter includes an interview with Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism.

Continuing its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, Côte d’Ivoire’s transport and logistics sector is set to benefit from a wide range of new projects – from ports to airports, and railways to motorways. The National Development Plan (Plan National de Développement, PND) 2021-25 seeks to almost double the level of economic investment outlined in its predecessor, the PND 2016-20, and the transport sector is slated to assume a crucial role in promoting growth under the plan. With GDP expanding by an average of 8.3% per year between 2012 and 2019 – and the pandemic impacting Côte d’Ivoire less than many of its peers – economic development has occasionally outstripped the capacity of transport and logistics infrastructure. Getting the infrastructure network in-step with the country’s burgeoning needs is more crucial than ever, creating major new opportunities for investors. This chapter contains an interview with Laurent Loukou, CEO, Air Cȏte d’Ivoire.

Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and its subsequent economic impact, Côte d'Ivoire's has construction sector helped the economy recover. There has been growing demand for residential properties to house the expanding middle class amid rapid urbanisation. Furthermore, industrialisation has increased the need for larger industrial zones and commercial centres, as well as an expansion of modern transport networks across the country. The real estate sector is growing at pace, with several residential and commercial projects planned for urban areas. However, the lack of housing for low-income families and difficulties in accessing finance have driven the development of informal housing. As the country undergoes urbanisation and industrialisation, there is an opportunity for officials to provide social housing with alternative financing options for informal workers and lower-income populations. The chapter contains an interview with Nicolas de Roquefeuil, General Manager, SETAO.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of the most developed telecommunications markets in West Africa. Its mobile phone penetration rate was 162% in 2021 and continues to grow as Ivorians use multiple SIM cards to take advantage of promotional offers. There is strong competition between the existing mobile network operators, each of which has invested heavily in expanding and improving their coverage and services. As more affordable smartphone options enter the market and 4G and 5G services are rolled out, mobile internet usage and mobile money subscriptions will continue to grow. Expanded fixed-line internet infrastructure is also a key development, with a growing number of Ivorians signing up for fixed-line fibre-optic internet services. This chapter contains an interview with Fatoumata Bâ, Founder and Executive Chair, Janngo Capital.

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.

Côte d’Ivoire’s agriculture sector, responsible for approximately one-fifth of GDP and employing two-thirds of the population, is a key part of the economy, as well as the social, cultural and political fabric. As the country begins rolling out the National Development Plan 2021-25 and pursuing environmental and sustainability goals for 2030 and beyond, the agriculture sector will be key to meeting development targets. The policy goals for the coming years include increasing the use of digital solutions, placing greater emphasis on in-country refining and processing of agricultural commodities, and ensuring more equitable distribution of the sector’s rewards. However, with high fertiliser and fuel prices impacting farmers in the first half of 2022, productivity and profitability are likely to face headwinds in the year ahead. This chapter contains an interview with Massogbé Touré, Group Director, Société Ivoirienne de Traitement d’Anacarde.