Côte d'Ivoire is enhancing its economic presence in Europe by inviting investors and business leaders to explore opportunities in the country. The AE Economic Dialogue 2026, organized in Brussels, brought together Belgian, European, and African economic operators, as well as Ivorian entrepreneurs. The event aimed to promote partnerships and collaborations around Côte d'Ivoire's development priorities.
The Ivorian government presented its economic prospects and investment opportunities linked to the National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. The plan involves an investment program valued at approximately $209 billion over the period 2026-2030, aiming for an average annual economic growth of 7.2%. The goal is to reach upper-middle-income country status by 2030.
Côte d'Ivoire's economic growth is estimated at 6.5% in 2025, with controlled inflation, creating a favorable environment for investor confidence. However, mobilizing financing is a significant challenge. The government projects that private operators will cover 70.2% of planned investments, while public contributions are estimated at 29.8%.
The Ivorian economy offers opportunities in various sectors, including agro-industrial transformation, infrastructure, industrialization, and regional economic pole development. The modernization of agriculture, improvement of value chains, and job creation are also priorities. European companies can participate in productive projects through financial contributions, technology transfers, and expertise sharing.
In 2025, trade between Côte d'Ivoire and Europe reached 8,959.06 billion CFA francs, a 23% increase from the previous year. This growth highlights the importance of the European market in Ivorian economic relations and the need to strengthen local companies' capacities to benefit more from international exchanges.
The Ivorian government has implemented measures to facilitate investment, including the Investment Code and the Centre for the Promotion of Investments in Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI). These institutions aim to guide economic operators and simplify their procedures. The AE Economic Dialogue 2026 seeks to transition economic discussions into concrete collaborations.
The next steps involve consolidating established contacts and identifying common projects. For Côte d'Ivoire, the goal is to convert investor interest into economic commitments that support production, strengthen local companies, and create more added value. The country must also address environmental and sanitary requirements for exported products to ensure sustainable and competitive economic growth.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire aims to attract $209 billion in investments through its National Development Plan 2026-2030.
- The country targets an average annual economic growth of 7.2% to reach upper-middle-income country status by 2030.
- Private operators are expected to cover 70.2% of planned investments under the PND.
