What's the issue?

After two decades of fast growth in the 1960s and 1970s, Côte d’Ivoire entered into a deep economic crisis in the 1980s, which gradually developed into a political and security crisis with major adverse impacts for the population.

Since 2011, the economy has experienced a marked recovery, and policymakers have been under pressure to transform the newfound growth into real improvements in people’s lives. Their vision: transforming Côte d’Ivoire into an “emerging economy” by 2020.

How are we addressing it?

In 2014, Côte d’Ivoire's government asked the OECD Development Centre to accompany it in the realisation of this 2020 vision. Together, they identified the main constraints to the country’s development, and recommended a series of priority actions, such as accelerating structural reforms, enhancing the competitiveness of the business sector, investing in infrastructure, and boosting skills and education.

To guide implementation, the Centre invited officials from other emerging economies to share their experiences with policymakers in Côte d’Ivoire: Malaysia on how it succeeded in increasing the dynamism and efficiency of the private sector, and Colombia on how it promoted balanced economic and social development across its regions. Throughout the process, the Development Centre facilitated the engagement of a wide range of public and private actors, helping them work together more effectively.

We have a vision: we want to become an emerging economy. The OECD can help us with the action plan and timeline. The expertise of an organisation like the OECD, which covers the entire world, and then of course, the daily work of the Ivorian people can take us there.

Theophile N’doli Ahoua State Inspector General and former head of cabinet of the Vice President of Côte d’Ivoire

What's the impact?

Following the initial review of Côte d’Ivoire by the OECD, and an accompanying set of recommendation, a council of ministers convened by the government adopted a majority of the OECD recommendations, paving the way for a successful emergence strategy.

To ensure appropriate implementation, Côte d’Ivoire also selected experts from various ministerial departments, as well as civil society, to convene regularly with the OECD Development Centre and monitor reforms, using indicators uniquely developed for the country, with OECD expertise.