Cote d'Ivoire
The Côte d’Ivoire’s approach to rural development has long been oriented towards agricultural development. Since the civil conflict, the government has relied upon a sectoral approach to food security and nutrition (FSN) and rural development. Current policies focus on the organisation, management and “institutionalisation” of a number of value chains within the agricultural sector. Food insecurity in the Côte d’Ivoire is spatially concentrated. Chronic malnutrition is highest in northern parts of the country and in the regions of Nord (39.3%), Nord Est (39.3%), Ouest (34.2%) and Nord Ouest (31.8%) in particular. The lowest levels of chronic malnutrition are found in the capital region of Abidjan (17.9%). Households that are afflicted by chronic malnutrition tend to be those reliant on subsistence farming or on the production of handicrafts, and those headed by individuals with lower levels of education. Innovative policy tools will be required to address rural development and food security in the coming decades. These tools should account for regional differences and be capable of co-ordinating actions in different sectors, focusing not only on agricultural intensity and diversification but prioritising non-farm activities.
In order to achieve the status of an emergent economy, the country needs to modernise its structures so as to promote greater job creation potential. Industry and services play an important role in the economy but most Ivorians still work in agriculture, a sector which is not growing very fast. The country needs to move towards industrial activities that generate more jobs and more added value, such as more sophisticated goods, and also use the services sector better by bringing it into the formal economy and rendering it more professional.
To achieve the status of an emerging nation, Côte d’Ivoire will need to move towards an economic structure that generates growth and jobs for people in all parts of the country, doing so by diversifying economic activity and relying on existing comparative advantages, as, for example, in agricultural processing. A vigorous and more professional services sector will support growth in other sectors while directly boosting the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Being competitive requires an encouraging investment climate, well-accepted quality standards and robust competition. Trade must be encouraged, especially through regional integration, to conquer foreign markets. Land and property laws that make best use of economic potential can also help development.
Economic activity after the post-election crisis was more vigorous than expected. The return of confidence among economic actors in the aftermath of the normalisation of the security situation and increased peace efforts was accordingly confirmed. After a fall of 4.7% in 2011 real gross domestic product (GDP) registered growth estimated at 8.6% in 2012, driven by public investment and the pick-up in final consumption. In the medium term the implementation of the National Development Plan (PND) 2012-15 should put the country back on the trajectory of inclusive and sustainable growth. GDP is forecast to grow in 2013 and 2014 at 8.9% and 9.8% respectively, sustained by the recovery of oil and gas production and by a rise in investment prompted by a better business climate and a strengthening of public-private partnerships.
The post-election crisis had a serious impact on the economic, social, security and humanitarian situation in Côte d’Ivoire, resulting in a pronounced fall in real GDP (-5.9%). A gradual recovery of the economy is expected in 2012 if the security situation continues to normalise, peace continues to be consolidated, the business environment improves and efforts to restore productive capacities are pursued and backed by incentives for the private sector. The economy’s recovery should lead to an 8.6% rise in real GDP in 2012, driven by significant demand for public sector investment and by buoyant conditions in the secondary and tertiary sectors. Growth should reach 5.5% in 2013.
The political impasse in Côte d'Ivoire following the second round of the presidential elections on 28 November 2010 turned into an armed conflict between the defence and security forces led by the outgoing president Laurent Gbagbo and the republican forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the elected president recognised by the international community. After several days of heavy fighting, the pro-Ouattara forces arrested Gbagbo and several of his aides while they were in the bunker of the presidential palace. The escalation of the violence and the use of heavy weaponry have increased the civilian death toll to more than 900 according to the UN, with thousands more injured and massive numbers of Ivorian refugees, especially in neighbouring Liberia and Ghana.
The recovery of the Ivorian economy continued in 2009, despite the context of international crisis. Growth reached 3.6% in 2009 and inflation fell, thanks to good supply conditions on the local market and a thaw in international prices. The reunification of the country, uniting former rebel areas in the Centre-Northwest zone with the regions controlled by the regular army, helped to soften the shock of the economic crisis. The country has restored relations with its donors and has adopted a prudent budgetary stance. Other positive factors had an effect in 2009, such as ample rainfall and the favourable trend in coffee, cocoa and oil prices. The recovery should continue in 2010 if the often-postponed presidential and legislative elections take place peacefully. If this is the case, growth should continue to rise to 3.9% in 2010 and 4.5% in 2011.
The Constitution of Côte d’Ivoire prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, and government policy encourages full participation by women in social and economic life. Nevertheless, Ivorian women remain confined to traditional roles, especially in rural areas.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE HAS BEEN IN A STATE of socio-political crisis since 1990, marked by: i) a coup d’état in 1999; ii) contested elections in 2000, which brought President Laurent Gbagbo to power; and iii) an armed internal conflict since 2002. The situation has caused a slowdown in economic growth. Following a long reconciliation process and the signature, on 4 March 2007, of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (APO) by all key players in the crisis, the country’s political situation is gradually returning to normal. The holding of the presidential election scheduled for late 2009 is nonetheless crucial to the improvement of the political and economic landscape.