Côte d’Ivoire flag

Côte d’Ivoire

Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
French Currency XOF Civil law (OHADA) ECOWAS • UEMOA • AfCFTA

West African hub with leading cocoa, cashew and rubber value chains, growing offshore oil & gas, and a major logistics platform via Abidjan–San Pedro ports. Business registration is streamlined through CEPICI’s one-stop center, company law is under OHADA, and capital markets are regional via the BRVM under BCEAO monetary policy.

Overview

Growth is driven by agriculture (cocoa, cashew, rubber), construction, logistics and energy, with reforms focused on trade facilitation and investment promotion via CEPICI’s one-stop service. Côte d’Ivoire is integrated through ECOWAS and UEMOA (single currency, BCEAO policy), with company registration at the RCCM under OHADA and taxes administered by the DGI.

Snapshot

Population
~31.9 M 2024
World Bank WDI
GDP current USD
$86.5 B 2024
World Bank WDI
GDP per Capita
$2,709 2024
World Bank WDI
Inflation y over y
~0.4% Jul 2025
National CPI via TheGlobalEconomy
Policy Rate
3.25% Jun 2025
BCEAO MPC
Internet Use
~40.7% 2023
World Bank WDI
Electrification
~72.4% 2023
World Bank (via TheGlobalEconomy)
Market Note
BRVM equities • UMOA-Titres bonds
BRVM • UMOA-Titres

Focus Sectors

Cocoa & Chocolate Cashew Processing Oil & Gas (offshore) Gold & Minerals Natural Rubber Agro-processing & FMCG Logistics & Ports Construction & Materials ICT & Mobile Money Power (gas, hydro, solar)

Trade

Top Export Partners 2023

  • Netherlands11.5%
  • Switzerland10.6%
  • Mali8.7%
  • Malaysia5.0%
  • Vietnam5.0%
UN Comtrade 2023 (TrendEconomy)

Top Export Goods

Cocoa beans Gold (unwrought) Natural rubber Refined petroleum Cashew nuts Cocoa paste & butter
UN Comtrade & OEC 2023

Top Import Partners 2023

  • China14.8%
  • Nigeria14.0%
  • France5.6%
  • India5.2%
  • United States3.9%
UN Comtrade 2023 (TrendEconomy)

Top Import Goods 2023

  • Crude petroleum$2.88 B
  • Refined petroleum$1.47 B
  • Floating & dredging vessels$0.93 B
  • Frozen fish$0.84 B
  • Rice$0.72 B
UN Comtrade 2023 (TrendEconomy)

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
  • Monetary policy rate3.25% (BCEAO)
  • FX regimeEuro peg (655.957 XOF/EUR)
BCEAO and IMF notes

Markets

  • ExchangeBRVM (regional, Abidjan HQ)
  • DebtWAEMU government bonds via UMOA-Titres auctions
  • PortsAbidjan ~1.6m TEU (2024) • San Pedro growing
BRVM • UMOA-Titres • port reports

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Name search and draft statutes (OHADA forms)
  2. File incorporation at CEPICI one-stop to obtain RCCM
  3. Obtain Tax ID (NIF) and register VAT at DGI
  4. Register employer and staff with CNPS social security
  5. Sectoral licenses where applicable (mining, oil, telecoms, etc.)
  6. Activate e-tax services (e-impôts)
CEPICI • OHADA RCCM • DGI • CNPS

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax25%
  • VAT standard18%
  • Withholding tax on dividends15% typical
  • Withholding tax on interest18% typical
PwC Côte d’Ivoire tax summaries

Talent

Median Age
~21.2 yrs 2024 est.
CIA World Factbook
Adult Literacy
~50% 2021
World Bank UIS
Tertiary Enrolment
data via WB EdStats
World Bank EdStats
Languages
French official; Dioula widely used
Constitution & language notes

Policy

  • UEMOA customs/monetary unionCommon currency & CET; BCEAO policy
  • OHADA company lawHarmonised business law and RCCM registry
  • Investment promotionCEPICI one-stop investor services
UEMOA • OHADA • CEPICI

Risks

  • Climate & commodityCocoa/cashew prices & rainfall affect incomes
  • LogisticsPort congestion cycles and corridor bottlenecks
  • Regional securitySahel spillovers can affect the north
IMF & trade/transport notes

Resources

CEPICI one-stop eRegulations DGI taxes & e-impôts CNPS social security BRVM exchange UMOA-Titres (bonds) BCEAO Port of Abidjan Port of San Pedro WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile World Bank data ARTCI telecom regulator

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Data Notes
Population, GDP and GDP per capita (current USD) are 2024 World Bank WDI values. Inflation is year-on-year CPI for July 2025 from Côte d’Ivoire’s official CPI as compiled by TheGlobalEconomy. BCEAO cut the main policy rate to 3.25% in June 2025. Internet users (2023) from World Bank; electrification latest (2023) from World Bank series as compiled by TheGlobalEconomy. Trade partners and goods are from UN Comtrade 2023 (TrendEconomy) and OEC 2023. Business steps reference CEPICI eRegulations, OHADA/RCCM, DGI (e-impôts) and CNPS employer rules. Markets information via BRVM and UMOA-Titres; recent port growth noted by reputable trade press.