Strong IMF-backed performance for Côte d’Ivoire

The Ivorian government and the International Monetary Fund welcomed the strong economic performance of Côte d’Ivoire at the opening of the sixth and final review of the Economic and Financial Program (ECF/EFF), held on April 22, 2026, in Abidjan Plateau. The meeting also marked the fifth review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), launched in March 2024 to support the country’s climate agenda.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, highlighted the country’s sustained economic momentum and strong resilience. Economic growth reached 6.6% in 2025, up from 6.0% in 2024, driven by the services, hydrocarbons, and mining sectors.

Inflation continued to decline significantly, dropping from 5.2% in 2022 to 0.1% by the end of 2025, supported by government measures to curb the cost of living. Improved terms of trade, particularly due to higher cocoa prices and lower import costs, also strengthened the country’s external position.

These positive results were confirmed by IMF mission chief for Côte d’Ivoire, Geneviève Verdier, who noted that macroeconomic stability has been restored under IMF-supported programs, despite shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical tensions.

On the fiscal front, budget consolidation efforts reduced the deficit to 3.0% of GDP in 2025, down from 6.8% in 2022. This improvement was largely driven by stronger tax revenue mobilization, which increased from 12.7% of GDP in 2022 to nearly 15% in 2025.

At the same time, external imbalances narrowed significantly, contributing to stronger reserves at the BCEAO.

“After a strong 2025, Côte d’Ivoire is entering 2026 reaping the benefits of hard-earned stabilization,” said Geneviève Verdier. This view was echoed by Minister Adama Coulibaly, who stated that “the programs implemented have delivered broadly satisfactory results.”

This sixth review represents a key milestone to assess the overall performance of the programs and consolidate achievements through sectoral discussions between the IMF mission and national institutions.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to continue implementing sound economic policies to preserve macroeconomic stability, ensure public finance sustainability, and strengthen the resilience of the economy.