Côte d’Ivoire is the great economic powerhouse of francophone West Africa and one of the markets where the trade balance is clearly in the Canary Islands’ favour.
The figures
Close to 32.7 million inhabitants, GDP of USD 99.21 billion, growth of 6.4% in 2025 and inflation held at 1.8%. The country led by President Alassane Ouattara combines macroeconomic stability with a clear commitment to industrialising its agriculture: it is the world leader in cocoa and in cashew nuts.
The relationship with the Canary Islands
The balance favours the archipelago, with a coverage ratio of 245% in 2025. There are eleven Canarias Aporta projects and around ten INTERREG MAC initiatives on the ground. Abidjan and San Pédro are connected to the Canary Islands ports by weekly sailings from the main shipping lines.
Where the opportunities are
Agri-industry, energy, water, health, ICT and consumer goods. And one factor that tends to be overlooked: close to a million Ivorians are studying Spanish, the second-highest figure in sub-Saharan Africa.
How we go in
In Côte d’Ivoire IBC Spain has delivered the technical assistance to the Ministry of Tourism, the AFRICANTECH seminar and the presentation session for the INTERREG MAC projects. If you are considering entering the market, get in touch.
This piece is drawn from Conexión África, IBC Spain’s monthly newsletter. You can read the full edition #10 on LinkedIn or subscribe to the newsletter, which comes out once a month.