Côte d'Ivoire is placing agriculture at the heart of its economic development strategy

Côte d'Ivoire is positioning agriculture as a key driver of its economic development strategy over the next five years, with the government aiming to boost local processing, strengthen food security and modernize the sector under its 2026–2030 National Development Plan (PND).

Speaking on Wednesday during the Consultative Group meeting on financing the 2026–2030 National Development Plan in Abidjan, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Crop Production Bruno Nabagné Koné outlined the country's strategy to development partners and international investors, highlighting opportunities across agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry and environmental sectors.

Agriculture remains one of the pillars of Côte d'Ivoire's economy, accounting for approximately 17% of gross domestic product (GDP), generating nearly half of the country's export earnings and producing around 37 million metric tons of agricultural commodities annually, according to the minister.

The government now plans to increase domestic processing of agricultural products to create more value within the country and reduce reliance on exports of raw commodities. While nearly half of Côte d'Ivoire's cocoa production is already processed locally, authorities believe significant opportunities remain in coffee, cashew nuts and food crop value chains.

Koné also highlighted the growing international demand for cassava-based attiéké, one of the country's flagship food products, describing it as a promising export opportunity. He stressed the need to expand production of maize, vegetables and other strategic crops to improve national food security and reduce dependence on imports.

In the livestock and fisheries sectors, the minister pointed to progress in poultry production but said further investment is needed in the cattle and dairy industries to support the emergence of a more competitive agri-food sector.

Climate change remains one of the biggest challenges facing the country's agricultural ambitions. Irregular rainfall, low levels of mechanization, post-harvest losses and limited access to financing continue to constrain productivity, particularly for small-scale producers.

To address these issues, the government plans to modernize agricultural equipment, expand irrigation infrastructure and improve access to credit, especially for young farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Through the 2026–2030 National Development Plan, Côte d'Ivoire aims to achieve rice self-sufficiency, strengthen its food sovereignty and accelerate the local processing of agricultural products. Authorities see the sector as a cornerstone of economic growth, industrialization and job creation, while reinforcing the country's position as one of Africa's leading agricultural producers.