Cote d'Ivoire

Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

French West African CFA (XOF) French civil law
AU, ECOWAS, WAEMU, AfCFTA, WTO
Cote d'Ivoire is the largest economy in francophone West Africa and the world's largest producer of cocoa beans, accounting for approximately 40% of global supply. The economy has grown at an average of 7% annually since 2012, making it one of Africa's fastest-growing economies.

The country serves as the economic hub of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and hosts the regional stock exchange (BRVM) in Abidjan. The port of Abidjan is the busiest in West Africa. Key sectors include cocoa, cashew nuts, rubber, palm oil, mining (gold), and an expanding services sector.

The government's Plan National de Developpement (PND) 2021-2025 targets industrial transformation and infrastructure development, with mega-projects including the Abidjan Metro and new Abidjan airport.
Snapshot Focus Sectors Doing Business Regulations & Taxes Businesses (136) People (10) Deals (7)

Snapshot

Population~32.9 MWorld Bank WDI
GDP (current USD)$99.2 BIMF WEO
GDP per Capita$2,880IMF WEO
GDP Growth6.50%IMF WEO
Inflation (y/y)~3.70%Central Bank / IMF
Policy Rate (BCEAO policy rate)3.50%Central Bank
Unemployment3.00%ILO / National Stats
Internet Use~45.00%World Bank WDI
Electrification~70.00%World Bank WDI
CPI Score (Rank)37.0/100 (#99)Transparency Intl
HDI (Rank)0.550 (#159)UNDP HDR
Credit RatingBB- (S&P) / Ba3 (Moody's) / BB- (Fitch)S&P / Moody's / Fitch
MarketBRVM (Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres, Abidjan)

Focus Sectors

Cocoa (world's largest producer)
Cashew
Rubber
Palm Oil
Mining (gold)
Energy
Telecoms
Construction
Financial Services
Manufacturing

Doing Business

Cote d'Ivoire has significantly improved its business environment, ranking among the top reformers in West Africa. Company registration is handled through CEPICI, the investment promotion center, and can be completed in 24-48 hours online.

Key steps:
  1. Register at CEPICI one-stop shop
  2. Obtain tax registration (DGI)
  3. Register with social security (CNPS)
  4. Declare employees with the Labour Inspectorate

The CFA franc zone provides currency stability (pegged to EUR at 655.957 XOF = 1 EUR), eliminating exchange rate risk for eurozone trade partners. Free from capital controls within the WAEMU zone.
Investment facilitation: Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Cote d'Ivoire (CEPICI)

Regulations & Taxes

Corporate Income Tax25% standard
VAT / Sales Tax18% standard

Business Directory (136)

View All
AB

Abidjan Metro Project

Corporate

Planned metro rail project

Abidjan
AB

Abidjan.net

SME

Leading online news

Abidjan
AF

Africa Global Logistics Ivory Coast

Corporate

Port and logistics operator

Abidjan
AF

Africa Sports d'Abidjan

Non-profit

Historic Abidjan football club

Abidjan
AI

Air Côte d'Ivoire

Corporate

National airline since 2012

Abidjan
AP

APS Container Terminal

Corporate

Main container terminal

Abidjan
AS

ASEC Mimosas

Non-profit

Most successful football club

Abidjan
AZ

Azalaï Hotel Abidjan

Corporate

Pan-African hotel chain

Abidjan
BA

Bank of Africa Ivory Coast

Corporate

BOA in Ivory Coast

Abidjan
BA

Barry Callebaut Ivory Coast

Corporate

Leading chocolate maker

Abidjan
BC

BCEAO Headquarters

Non-profit

Central bank regional presence

Abidjan
BI

BICICI

Corporate

Commercial bank

Abidjan
View all 136 businesses

Tenders

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Implementation of Fully Managed High-Speed Business Graded Dedicated Internet Access Connectivity for AfDB 36 Office Locations

African Development Bank

Implementation of Fully Managed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) VSAT for AfDB 36 Office Locations in Africa

African Development Bank

Supply Deployment and Support of Cybersecurity and IT Network Continuity Solutions for the 2026 AfDB Annual Meetings

African Development Bank

Provision of Multimedia Coverage Activities for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank

African Development Bank

Data Notes: Population, GDP, and GDP per capita are latest IMF WEO / World Bank estimates. Inflation is year-over-year. Trade data from UN Comtrade/OEC (2023). Tax rates from PwC/KPMG country guides. CPI from Transparency International. HDI from UNDP Human Development Report.
Narrative last updated: April 8, 2026.