•
Economic context
Since its independence, Côte d'Ivoire has opted for a development strategy based on three pillars,
namely: (i) economic liberalism as a social project and form of organization of economic activity; (ii) the
promotion of agriculture, especially cash crops as engine of growth and (iii) opening to the outside
world as a way of supporting for growth. This development strategy gave primacy to the state as
promoter and regulator of economic activity. Then, with a view to foster the emergence of a dynamic
private sector, the state has adopted various investment codes and put in place support structures for
entrepreneurship and the mobilization of domestic savings through the creation of a series of funding
and savings organizations by Decree No. 2011-262 of 28 September 2011.
The Ivorian economy is mainly based on agriculture, which is primarily based on the coffee-cocoa pair.
Ivory Coast is the world's largest cocoa producer (41% of world production) and third largest coffee
producer. Ivory Coast also produces cotton, palm oil, pineapple, banana, cashew. Agriculture
contributes 22% of the GDP and is the source of income for two thirds of households. It provides about
75% of non-oil export earnings and employs 46% of the workforce. The country is also developing food
crops, including rice, plantain, cassava, yams, corn, which contribute over 17% to the GDP. It produces
gas and oil, which account for about 6% of the GDP.
An analysis of incomes however indicates a deterioration of living conditions of households since the
90s. The poverty rate in 2008 reached 49% nationwide, with a strong predominance of rural poverty
(62%) against 29 % in the urban environment. In 1993, these rates were 32% nationally, 42% rural and
19% urban.
The successive socio-political crises that the country experienced has weakened the foundations of the
economy and plunged it into negative growth phase. The economy reverted to growth only from 2004.
This recovery was consolidated on the one hand with the conclusion of a Post-Conflict Emergency
Assistance Program (EPCA) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and on the other hand, with the
clearance of outstanding payments to the World Bank and the African Development Bank Group
(AfDB), following the Ouagadougou Political Agreement (OPA) of 2007.
This favorable environment has enabled the achievement of a growth rate of 1.6% in 2007 and 2.3% in
2008. The improvement of the macroeconomic framework and peaceful environment led to the
conclusion of a three-year program supported by the Extended Credit Facility for the period 2009- 2011.
The effective resumption of the financial cooperation and the achievement of the HIPC decision point
have helped to reach a GDP growth rate of 3.8% in 2009 and around 9.8% in 2012.
Meanwhile, the GDP per head recorded a very low growth of 0.24% per year over the period 2004 2010. Despite the start a diversification of its economy, Côte d'Ivoire has continued to be heavily
dependent on raw materials. The country ranks 170th out of 187 countries with regard to the United
Nations Development Programme Human Development Index for Development (UNDP).
• Political and institutional context
The coup of December 1999, the attempted coup in September 2002 and the post-electoral crisis of
December 2010 have seriously degraded the political and social climate already under strain. The
radicalization of militants and political supporters’ positions has altered the relationship of good
neighborliness and intercommunity alliances. Also, the atrocious nature of the crimes committed mainly
by exploited youth has created deep wounds. Community, regional, tribal and ethnic downturns were
revitalized at some point. This amplified distrust and altered the momentum of reconciliation between
RAPPORT INITIAL SUR LA MISE EN OEUVRE DE LA CHARTE AFRICAINE DES DROITS ET DU BIEN ÊTRE DE L'ENFANT
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