The African Development Bank launched the 2025 edition of its Country Focus Reports (CFRs) in Abidjan, starting with Côte d’Ivoire—a country projected to be one of the fastest-growing economies globally this year. The launch underscores the Bank’s commitment to supporting national-level development through data-driven insights and policy guidance.
The CFRs serve as country-specific extensions of the Bank’s African Economic Outlook (AEO), offering macroeconomic analysis and practical policy recommendations. Developed to inform policymakers, investors, and development partners, the reports provide tailored insights to support national development strategies.
Unveiled at the Bank’s Annual Meetings in May 2025, the AEO explores the theme “Making Africa’s Capital Work Better for Its Development.” The Country Focus Reports build on this by delivering localized analysis and policy advice aligned with the broader continental vision.
At the launch, Prof. Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, emphasized that the CFRs bring the insights of the AEO down to national level. Produced in collaboration with local and international experts, the reports are intended to strengthen economic planning and policy implementation.
According to data from the 2025 AEO, 21 African countries are expected to achieve GDP growth rates above 5% in 2025, with four—including Côte d’Ivoire—projected to exceed 7%, a key benchmark for reducing poverty. Côte d’Ivoire is also among eleven African nations expected to rank among the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies this year.
Côte d’Ivoire’s economic strength is driven by several key factors: its leadership in cocoa production, contributing 40% of global supply; expanding gold and oil output; a youthful demographic, with nearly half the population under 20; and sustained investments in telecommunications and transportation infrastructure.
Prof. Clément Kouakou, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, highlighted the report’s relevance, noting its practical value in strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s economic growth drivers and supporting long-term human development.
A panel discussion titled “Making Côte d’Ivoire’s Capital Work Better for Its Development” followed the launch, featuring high-level stakeholders including Marcelin Cissé from the Ministry of Economy, Joseph Ribeiro from the African Development Bank, Rose Don Mello from UGECI, Hugues Kouadio from ENSEA, and economist Marcellin Ndong Ntah.
During the discussion, Marcelin Cissé reported that Côte d’Ivoire’s economy recorded average annual growth of 6.5% between 2021 and 2025, a significant increase from 2.1% in the 2012–2019 period. This growth was attributed to structural reforms under the 2021–2025 National Development Plan. A new development plan for 2026–2030 is now aiming for 7% average annual growth.
From the private sector perspective, Rose Don Mello emphasized the need for skilled labor, pointing out that businesses are actively investing in training programs and supporting educational reforms to bridge existing talent gaps.
