Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire towards an accelerated path of emergence, urging all dynamic forces within the nation to contribute to the realization of what he terms the « Grande Côte d’Ivoire ». This directive, issued at the dawn of a new political era, signifies the head of state’s ambition to unite administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared vision. It comes as Abidjan seeks to leverage a decade of sustained economic expansion to achieve a new structural level of development.
A presidential appeal for Ivorian cohesion
The presidential invitation explicitly targets every segment of Ivorian society. Republican institutions, political parties, the private sector, civil society organizations, traditional chieftaincies, and the diaspora are all encouraged to join this collective endeavor. The chosen phrasing reflects an inclusive approach to public action, where the success of the national project hinges on broad adherence rather than solely on executive voluntarism. This strategic framework is not incidental; it emerges during a political period where the continuity of public policies and overall stability are particularly crucial.
For Alassane Ouattara, this initiative aligns with the key directions pursued since 2011, centered on industrialization, opening up rural areas, and solidifying Abidjan’s position as a regional hub. The president aims to translate favorable macroeconomic momentum, characterized by an average growth exceeding 6% in recent years, into more tangible social benefits for households. The rhetoric of the « Grande Côte d’Ivoire » encapsulates this dual aspiration: strengthening economic indicators and enhancing redistribution.
A long-term economic and political blueprint
Economically, the promise of an expanded Côte d’Ivoire encompasses several major structural projects already underway. The port of Abidjan continues its expansion, while the port of San Pedro is gaining momentum in the mining and agricultural sectors. The highway network is extending northward, connecting towards Burkina Faso and Mali, a strategic move to bolster West African logistical corridors. The energy sector, previously identified as a vulnerability following the 2024 supply crisis, is receiving significant investments to secure production and diversify its energy mix.
The political dimension, however, holds equal importance. By engaging the nation’s vital forces, the Ivorian president seeks to broaden the support base for his administration beyond the confines of the Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la démocratie et la paix (RHDP) party apparatus. This rhetorical openness reflects a strategic understanding: large-scale infrastructure and economic transformation projects demand a minimum consensus to prevent their reversal with changes in government. The emphasis on the nation, rather than just the presidential camp, is integral to this long-term perspective.
A strategy rooted in national unity
The deliberate choice of vocabulary is significant. By speaking of a « Grande Côte d’Ivoire », the executive aligns itself with a political tradition inherited from the founding president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where national ambition was articulated through unifying slogans. This claimed lineage aims to anchor presidential actions within a historical continuum and to defuse criticisms concerning an excessive personalization of power. Nevertheless, the concrete implementation of this appeal will depend on the institutions’ capacity to translate political statements into operational mechanisms.
Observers note that the success of such an ambitious project necessitates measurable progress in governance, the business climate, and the reduction of territorial inequalities. The northern and central regions of the country, less developed in terms of infrastructure compared to the lagoon-front areas, remain priority zones. Furthermore, the issue of youth inclusion, in a nation where over 75% of the population is under 35, represents a structural challenge. The presidential call will gain its full meaning if it translates into concrete mechanisms that involve the aforementioned stakeholders in decision-making processes.
