Côte d’Ivoire’s economic blueprint: nurturing homegrown champions for 2026

The Ivorian government has unveiled a bold economic roadmap centered on empowering local private enterprises to spearhead the nation’s growth trajectory through 2026. These designated national champions are poised to transition the economy from one reliant on public investment to one driven by resilient private sector innovation and dynamism.

Four strategic sectors take center stage

Four industries have been identified as critical pillars for this transformation: natural cosmetics, digital banking, oil and gas distribution, and aviation. Kaera, a leader in organic beauty products, currently employs 600 staff and serves markets across 30 countries. Meanwhile, Djamo, launched in 2020, has already amassed 2 million users, showcasing the rapid expansion of digital financial services. Petro Ivoire, a key player in fuel distribution, has also been selected to strengthen domestic value chains and reduce dependence on raw material exports.

The initiative aligns with the National Development Plan 2026-2030, which targets an annual growth rate of 7.2% by 2030. The strategy emphasizes creating localized value chains and fostering sustainable employment in high-potential industries to ensure long-term prosperity.

Over $80 billion pledged for economic transformation

In July, international partners committed over $80 billion in funding to support the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030. These resources will be allocated to infrastructure development, private sector support, and strategic industry expansion. The PEPITE-CI 2030 program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, provides tailored technical, financial, and strategic assistance to high-potential enterprises. A first cohort of 27 winning companies was announced in December 2025, with further support slated for upcoming rounds.

Context: Côte d’Ivoire’s economic momentum

Over the past 15 years, Côte d’Ivoire has maintained robust economic growth, fueled by public investments in infrastructure and agriculture. As the world’s leading cocoa producer, the country has solidified its position as a key economic hub in West Africa. The NDP 2026-2030 marks a strategic pivot toward a private-sector-led economy, particularly amid intensifying regional competition from Ghana and Senegal.

This approach mirrors broader trends in African economic strategy, where nations like Senegal with its Emerging Senegal Plan are prioritizing homegrown champions to diversify their economies. Côte d’Ivoire is leveraging its demographic vitality and strategic geographic location to attract foreign investment and enhance its regional competitiveness.

Building a competitive regional economy

The government’s vision extends beyond national borders, aiming to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of enterprises capable of competing on the global stage. The core objective is to reduce reliance on unprocessed commodity exports and cultivate high-value local industries that can thrive in international markets.

While the timeline for additional PEPITE-CI cohorts remains unspecified, the success of this initiative hinges on the ability of selected enterprises to sustain growth and generate large-scale employment in the coming years.