Ivory Coast’s 2026 economic plan: local champions drive growth

The Ivory Coast has unveiled a bold economic strategy on July 20, placing local private enterprises at the heart of its development ambitions. These designated national champions are expected to transform the nation’s economic model, shifting from state-led investments to a private-sector-driven growth trajectory over the coming decade.

Four key sectors identified for national champions

The government has pinpointed four strategic industries where it will nurture domestic champions: natural cosmetics, digital banking, oil and gas distribution, and aviation. Among the standout companies is Kaera, a natural cosmetics firm employing 600 people and already exporting to 30 countries. The digital banking startup Djamo, launched in 2020, serves two million users and exemplifies the rapid expansion of Africa’s fintech landscape. Meanwhile, Petro Ivoire, a fuel distributor, has been selected to enhance local value addition in the energy sector.

This initiative aligns with the National Development Plan 2026-2030, which targets an average annual growth rate of 7.2% by 2030. The plan prioritizes building robust local value chains and fostering sustainable job creation in high-potential industries.

Over $80 billion in international commitments secured

In July, the Ivorian government secured commitments exceeding $80 billion from international partners to fund the 2026-2030 development plan. These funds will be allocated to critical infrastructure projects, private sector support, and the expansion of strategic industries.

The PEPITE-CI 2030 program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, provides tailored support to high-potential enterprises. A pilot cohort identified 27 winning companies in December 2025, offering them technical, financial, and strategic assistance to accelerate their growth trajectories.

Ivory Coast’s economic backdrop

The Ivory Coast has maintained steady growth for 15 years, driven by public investments in infrastructure and agriculture. As the world’s largest cocoa producer, the country serves as a regional economic powerhouse. The 2026-2030 plan marks a strategic pivot toward private-sector leadership, particularly in a competitive regional landscape where neighbors like Ghana and Senegal are also advancing their own national champion models.

While countries like Senegal pursue similar strategies under initiatives such as the Emerging Senegal Plan, the Ivory Coast is leveraging its demographic strength and strategic geographic position to attract foreign investment and diversify its economy beyond raw material exports.

Building a competitive regional economy

The government aims to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem of enterprises capable of competing at both regional and global levels. The core objective is to reduce reliance on unprocessed commodity exports and cultivate high-value local industries.

While the timeline for rolling out support mechanisms for future cohorts of the PEPITE-CI 2030 program remains unspecified, the success of this strategy hinges on the selected enterprises’ ability to sustain growth and generate substantial employment opportunities in the years ahead.