Côte d’Ivoire: 24% Increase in the Ministry of Animal Resources Budget for 2026

In Côte d’Ivoire, the animal and fisheries resources sector contributes 5% to the agricultural GDP and plays a strategic role in food security. For the 2026 fiscal year, the government is strengthening its financial support to the sector.

The 2026 budget of the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources (MIRAH), amounting to 26.7 billion CFA francs (46.9 million USD), was approved on 21 November by members of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee. This allocation represents an increase of nearly 24% compared to the previous fiscal year.

Beyond expenditures dedicated to General Administration, programs focused on the development and management of fisheries resources account for the largest share of investment spending, with 42% of the 2026 budget, or approximately 19.5 million USD. The remaining funds are allocated to investments dedicated to animal production programs and those related to veterinary public health.

“This budget, aligned with the missions of the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources, is divided into four programs and aims to strengthen existing achievements while intensifying the actions needed to reach the objectives of the National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030,” reads a statement published on the MIRAH website.

This budget increase also comes at a time when MIRAH continues to face challenges in meeting its targets, particularly regarding fishing and aquaculture. Under the National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (PONADEPA) for the 2022–2026 period, the ministry aims to achieve a total annual fish and aquaculture production of 280,000 tons starting in 2026.

For now, official data show that local production reached only 92,700 tons in 2024, a level still far below domestic market demand. According to the General Directorate of Customs, Côte d’Ivoire imported nearly 732,400 tons of fish, valued at 518.5 billion CFA francs (910.8 million USD) in 2024, to meet its production deficit.