Côte d’Ivoire’s Oil Production Reaches 80,000 Barrels per Day, Government Targets 500,000 by 2040

Côte d’Ivoire’s oil production has reached an average of 80,000 barrels per day in 2026, marking a significant milestone as the West African country seeks to expand its position in the regional energy sector.

The figure was announced on November 9 by Bienvenu Esse, director general of hydrocarbons, during the official presentation in Abidjan of the government’s Integrated Mineral Resources and Energy Policy (PIRME).

Under the new policy, the government aims to increase daily oil production to 231,000 barrels by 2030 and 500,000 barrels by 2040. The country also estimates its underground reserves at approximately 5.3 billion barrels of oil and 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The expansion is closely linked to the development of offshore oil fields, particularly the Baleine field operated by Italian energy company Eni in partnership with Petroci and other partners. Discovered in 2021, Baleine began production in 2023, with a second development phase launched in December 2024.

A third phase is expected to further increase output from the field, supporting the country’s broader production ambitions.

The government’s strategy also includes plans to build a second refinery in San Pedro, in southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, with a projected annual processing capacity of 6.1 million tonnes. The project is intended to strengthen domestic refining capacity and support the development of the country’s energy industry.

Beyond oil, the PIRME sets out wider ambitions for the energy sector. Natural gas production, currently estimated at 320 million cubic feet per day, is expected to rise to 685 million by 2030 and reach 1 billion by 2040.

The government has identified 49 energy projects requiring an estimated investment of 5,269 billion CFA francs. Its plans also include expanding electricity generation and increasing the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.

The strategy forms part of a broader effort to increase the contribution of mining, hydrocarbons and energy to the national economy, while developing local processing industries and strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s role as a regional energy supplier.

However, achieving the production targets will depend on investment, the development of infrastructure and the successful implementation of the planned projects.