Côte d'Ivoire

Considered the economic engine of Francophone West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire has been an anchor of stability and diplomatic force in the region for over a decade. With a share of about 40% of global production, Côte d’Ivoire is the largest exporter of cocoa. Through gas and oil reserves, the country covers its own energy needs and exports electricity to neighbouring countries. Export-orientated agriculture enables Côte d’Ivoire to enjoy stable economic growth and high levels of investment by international donors. With the significant increase in the minimum wage in the public and private sectors in 2023, the minimum wage is ahead of the West African comparison. However, workers in the agricultural sector have not benefited from the increases and wages in the informal sector remain below the subsistence level as well.

Following the experiences of civil war in late 2010/early 2011, the reform of the security sector took place with international support, which stabilised the country. At the same time, the Ivorian government mobilised security forces and implemented socio-economic programs in the north, thus successfully limiting the threat posed by terrorist groups.

Political and social reconciliation are still at the heart of the government today in order to keep the peace and prevent renewed outbreaks of violence during elections. After several legislative periods of the ruling party Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix (RHPD), a political elite has firmly established itself and the long-awaited generational change in both the RHDP and the opposition is proceeding slowly.

The country is proving to be dynamic thanks to numerous, rapidly implemented infrastructure projects, although these have only benefited a small part of the population so far. Existing challenges include the lack of jobs outside the economic centre of Abidjan, particularly for the young population, the rising cost of living and a lack of equal opportunities for women and girls.

Since the military coups in the northern neighbouring countries, Côte d’Ivoire has seen increased migration movements, especially from Burkina Faso. At the same time, the growing terrorist threat in the Sahel region is spreading to the north of Côte d’Ivoire. Accordingly, political attention is being paid to the border regions of the country in order to promote social cohesion and strengthen the social and economic resilience of the population.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has been active in Côte d'Ivoire since 1990 and creates space for political dialogue between the different camps. With its Generation à Venir programme, the FES promotes young, engaged people in dealing with socio-political issues. Other focal points of the project work include dialogue formats on the relationship between civil society and actors in the security sector, as well as the support of progressive forces in trade unions, civil society and political parties (for greater political participation of young adults and women).

Learn more about our work in Côte d'Ivoire on the project's website.