Research and consulting in Côte d’Ivoire

Country overview:

IOA has amassed data and experience on Côte d’Ivoire through years of economic, political and social research and by performing consulting projects on the country. Our researchers have determined that Côte d’Ivoire, thanks in part to being the world’s leading cocoa and cashew producer, is experiencing one of the fastest sustained economic growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa in nearly a decade. Real GDP growth averaged over 8% between 2012 and 2019, and then Côte d’Ivoire mitigated the dilatory effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to maintained positive growth in 2020 and 2021. Post-pandemic, the economy is accelerating.

IOA business analysts have seen beyond cocoa and cashews to the robust growth prospects in the country’s ICT sector, as services augment and may eventually surpass the value of raw commodities exports.

Key opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire:

As the world’s leading exporter of cocoa and cashews, these established crops can continue to attract new investors
IOA analysts have found that business-friendly policies have eased processes for new investors
Côte d’Ivoire’s economy leads Sub-Saharan Africa in sustained economic growth thanks to enlightened government policies

Key concerns/risks in Côte d’Ivoire:

Because much of export revenue comes from raw commodities, income is vulnerable to changing global commodity prices
Use of child labour is a perennial human rights abuse scandal and has not been rectified
Remote and much of rural areas of the country have been excluded from national economic growth

Find out about how IOA can help you with research and consulting services in Côte d’Ivoire

Tips on doing business in Cote d’Ivoire:

Starting a business:

Côte d’Ivoire shares similarities with other Francophone countries in the region, allowing foreigners to establish PLLCs, PLCs, branch offices, and representative offices, while foreign land ownership is permitted, but complicated —foreigners cannot own land directly but can acquire it through leasehold agreements
The CEPICI office (Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire) provides guidance and support for foreign investments
(Read more at: https://www.225invest.ci/)

Doing business:

Côte d’Ivoire provides various tax incentives aimed at fostering investment, particularly in the natural resource sector. New businesses are exempt from minimum tax during their initial fiscal year. Companies can also benefit from a 40% capital allowance on plant, machinery, and equipment. Natural resource companies are exempt from minimum tax during their exploration phase

Culture and society:

As a Francophone country, proficiency in French is essential for conducting business, with few exceptions (e.g., negotiations with local branches of multinational corporations)
August is a popular holiday period in Côte d’Ivoire, during which many businesses and government services may be closed or operating at reduced capacity