ABIDJAN — In recent years, Abidjan has worked to establish itself as a development hub in West Africa. Africa’s fastest growing economy of 2016, Côte d'Ivoire has rebound from political instability to attract investors increasingly impressed by the country’s growth and also intrigued by its potential.
The world’s leading cocoa and coffee producer plans to harness this promise through the implementation of a National Development Plan that aims to drastically reduce poverty, promote manufacturing, and make Côte d'Ivoire an emerging market by 2020.
While regional offices for several humanitarian agencies — including Save the Children, World Vision International, International Federation of the Red Cross, and the United Nations — are based in Dakar, Senegal, the African Development Bank returned its headquarters to Abidjan in 2014 after a nine-year relocation.
Furthermore, the government has emphasized plans to develop various sectors such as renewable energies, information and communication technologies, and mass retail sector — while providing a business environment that facilitates investments. Attention to policies, quality standards, competition, and the economic potential of the nation’s arable land also attract international companies and visitors.
About the authors
Christin Roby@robyreports
Christin Roby is the West Africa Correspondent for Devex. Based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, she covers global development trends, health, technology, and policy. Before relocating to West Africa, Christin spent several years working in local newsrooms and earned her Master of Science in videography and global affairs reporting from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Her informed insight into the region stems from her diverse coverage of more than a dozen African nations.
Emma Smith
Emma Smith is a reporting and communications associate at Devex, based in Barcelona. She focuses on bringing the latest career and hiring trends, tips, and insights to our global development community. Emma has a background in journalism and, in addition to writing for news publications, has worked with organizations focusing on child rights and women’s rights in sustainable development.
