Ivory Coast’s $5.3 billion World Bank portfolio takes center stage at Abidjan open days
The active portfolio of the World Bank Group in Ivory Coast now includes 25 projects totaling $5.3 billion. This figure was confirmed during the launch of the first-ever World Bank Group Open Days in Abidjan on Monday, September 21, 2026. Speaking at the event, Amadou Coulibaly, Ivory Coast’s Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, represented Dr. Souleymane DiarraSouba, Minister of Planning and Development and Governor of the World Bank Group for Ivory Coast.
The two-day event, held on September 21–22, 2026, under the theme “Jobs and Opportunities: Building Together for Inclusive Growth”, brought together government officials and World Bank representatives, including Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, World Bank Country Director for Ivory Coast, Benin, Guinea, and Togo.
Connecting young innovators with transformative funding opportunities
Over the two days, students, recent graduates, and entrepreneurs engaged directly with teams behind World Bank-funded initiatives in education, employment, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure. The discussions revolved around job creation—aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026–2030, which aims to generate three million jobs, prioritizing youth and women.
Investing in human capital: priorities across key sectors
The World Bank Group’s funding spans critical sectors: infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, health, and human capital development. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) alone has invested nearly $2.7 billion in Ivory Coast over the past five years. Meanwhile, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has played a pivotal role in boosting investor confidence.
Beyond 2026: a long-term commitment to Ivory Coast’s future
The current active portfolio represents only a portion of the World Bank Group’s broader engagement. During the Consultative Group for Financing the National Development Plan 2026–2030, held in Abidjan on July 8–9, 2026, the World Bank Group pledged over $17 billion in support: $10 billion from the World Bank, $5 billion from the IFC, and $2 billion from MIGA.
The partnership has already pioneered innovative financial operations in the region. In December 2024, Ivory Coast executed a debt-for-development swap—its first such operation supported by the World Bank. Valued at nearly €400 million in commercial debt, the swap improved the country’s debt profile and freed up resources for education. In 2025, Ivory Coast secured the first sovereign sustainability-linked loan in West Africa, totaling €433.3 million, backed by guarantees from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and MIGA.
Strengthening ties: a strategic dialogue ahead
This event follows a high-level meeting on September 10, 2026, when Dr. Souleymane DiarraSouba hosted Harold Tavares, World Bank Executive Director for Africa II, in Abidjan. Their discussions focused on the country portfolio and the development of the next Country Partnership Framework, designed to align with the priorities of the NDP 2026–2030.
