Abidjan, September 21, 2026 – Speaking at the opening of the inaugural World Bank Group Open Days on September 21, 2026, in Abidjan, the Minister of Communication, Amadou Coulibaly, representing the Minister of Planning and Development, stated that Côte d'Ivoire-World Bank cooperation represents an active portfolio of $6.3 billion, covering 25 strategic projects.
"The World Bank Group is a leading strategic partner. We are working on 25 active projects totaling $6.3 billion at the end of the 2025–2026 fiscal year. This portfolio is among the largest and most structural in the sub-region," he declared.
Praising the excellence of the partnership between both parties, Minister Amadou Coulibaly highlighted that for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, the World Bank's disbursement rate stands at a minimum of 32%, with a maximum target of 40% to optimize investment impact. He added that the objective is to contribute to creating 3 million jobs for youth, aligning with the strategic focus of the National Development Plan (NDP 2026–2030).
He also commended the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for mobilizing and investing nearly $2.7 billion over the 2021–2025 period, thereby supporting private sector development, business environment liberalization, and economic opportunities.
The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, assured that the Open Days initiative will enhance the visibility of results achieved through cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the Bretton Woods institution, bringing project interventions closer to beneficiaries.
The Minister of Economy highlighted key achievements resulting from World Bank interventions across critical sectors including health, social protection, energy, youth, and employment. For him, program success stems from the stakeholders' ability to align interventions with national needs, aiming to improve living conditions for the population.
Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, World Bank Country Director for Côte d'Ivoire, noted significant progress in program preparation timelines, which have been reduced from 12 months to 9 months. She congratulated Côte d'Ivoire on being the leading reformer in West Africa