Côte d’Ivoire showcases development funding strategy at African Development Bank event
The Ivory Coast’s commitment to economic transformation took center stage in Abidjan this week as the government shared its strategic approach to securing development funding. Representing the Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane Diarra, Cabinet Director Professor Loesse Jacques Esso led a high-level meeting to unveil the 2026 Country Report and West Africa Economic Outlook published by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The event, held under the theme “Scaling up resource mobilization for Africa’s development in a fragmented global economy”, brought together AfDB officials, national and international financial institutions, private sector leaders, and Ivorian government representatives.
The choice of theme aligns perfectly with Ivory Coast’s own priorities. Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, the government has positioned resource mobilization as a cornerstone of its economic transformation agenda. This strategic focus is embedded in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030, which aims to accelerate growth through increased mobilization of both public and private financing.
Addressing the gathering, Professor Esso highlighted the strong partnership between Ivory Coast and the AfDB, noting that the Bank’s reports serve as critical decision-making tools for shaping public policy and guiding development discussions with international partners.
The economic landscape was a key topic of discussion. With Africa’s projected growth of 3.9% in 2025, Ivory Coast stands out with an impressive growth rate of 6.5%, bringing the nation closer to the targets set by the African Union’s Agenda 2063. However, financing the NDP 2026-2030, estimated at 114.8 trillion West African CFA francs (approximately $209 billion), remains one of the biggest challenges to achieving these ambitions.
The government’s recent success in mobilizing $80 billion (47.8 trillion CFA francs) during the Consultative Group meeting held on July 8-9, 2026, underscores the confidence international partners have in Ivory Coast’s development vision and its ability to attract large-scale financing for national priorities.
Beyond Ivory Coast’s experience, Professor Esso emphasized that the reports’ conclusions reflect a shared continental challenge: the urgent need to mobilize substantial resources to accelerate structural economic transformation across Africa. Key strategies include boosting domestic revenue, leveraging private capital, strengthening African financial systems, and deepening regional integration through initiatives like the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In closing, Professor Esso urged participants to engage deeply with the reports’ analyses and recommendations. He called on all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector players, financial institutions, and civil society—to contribute their insights and foster collective reflection on the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities involved in building more effective development financing policies, both in Ivory Coast and across the region.