Ivorian government highlights resource mobilization strategies at BAD’s 2026 report launch

On Tuesday, July 28, the Director of Cabinet for Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Planning and Development, Professor Loesse Jacques ESSO, led the official launch of the 2026 Côte d’Ivoire Country Report and the West Africa Economic Outlook at the African Development Bank (BAD) headquarters in Abidjan. The event, themed ‘Scaling up resource mobilization for Africa’s development in a fragmented global economy’, brought together leaders from the BAD, national and international financial institutions, the private sector, and Ivorian public administration.

Aligning with national development priorities

Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire is prioritizing resource mobilization as a cornerstone of its economic transformation agenda. This strategic focus is embedded in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026-2030, which envisions accelerated growth through increased public and private financing. The event underscored how closely the BAD reports align with these national objectives, positioning them as critical decision-making tools for shaping public policy and fostering dialogue with development partners.

Economic momentum and financing ambitions

Professor ESSO highlighted Africa’s projected 3.9% growth in 2025, with Côte d’Ivoire leading the charge at approximately 6.5%—a pace that aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 ambitions. He also emphasized the scale of financing required for the NDP 2026-2030, estimated at 114.8 trillion FCFA (around $209 billion), as a defining challenge for the country’s economic transformation.

The Joint Consultative Group meeting of July 8-9, 2026, which secured commitments of $80 billion (47.8 trillion FCFA), was cited as a testament to global confidence in Côte d’Ivoire’s development vision and its ability to attract large-scale financing for national priorities.

Regional perspectives on financing transformation

Beyond Côte d’Ivoire’s progress, Professor ESSO stressed that the reports’ findings resonate across Africa, where structural economic transformation demands massive resource mobilization. Key strategies include boosting domestic revenue, leveraging private capital, strengthening financial systems, and deepening regional integration—such as through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He called on participants to engage deeply with the reports’ analyses and recommendations, urging collective reflection on the roles and responsibilities of public administrations, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society in crafting more effective development financing policies—both in Côte d’Ivoire and across the continent.

Strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth

The launch event served as a platform to reinforce the strong partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and the BAD, with the reports positioned as vital resources for guiding policy decisions and fostering collaboration with development partners.