Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has firmly reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire towards rapid advancement, urging all vibrant sectors of the nation to actively participate in forging what he terms the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire.” This rallying cry, issued at the start of a new political era, signifies the head of state’s ambition to unify administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared national agenda. His appeal comes as Abidjan endeavors to leverage a decade of consistent economic expansion to achieve a profound structural transformation.
A call for cohesion among Ivorian vital forces
The presidential directive explicitly targets every segment of Ivorian society. Republican institutions, political parties, the private sector, civil society organizations, traditional chieftaincies, and the diaspora are all invited to engage in a collective endeavor. The chosen rhetoric reflects an inclusive approach to public action, where the success of the national project hinges on broad participation rather than solely on executive determination. This strategic framing is significant, emerging during a political period where questions of stability and the continuity of public policies hold particular importance.
For Alassane Ouattara, this initiative aligns with the fundamental principles he has championed since 2011, centered on industrialization, opening up rural areas, and solidifying Abidjan’s position as a prominent regional hub. The president aims to convert a favorable macroeconomic momentum, characterized by an average growth exceeding 6% in recent years, into more discernible social benefits for households. The vision of a “Greater Côte d’Ivoire” encapsulates this dual ambition: reinforcing economic indicators while ensuring enhanced redistribution.
A long-term economic and political blueprint
Economically, the promise of an expanded Côte d’Ivoire points to several major structural projects already underway. The Port of Abidjan continues its extensive development, while the Port of San Pedro is gaining traction in the mining and agricultural sectors. The national highway network is expanding northward, connecting towards Burkina Faso and Mali, with the strategic objective of strengthening West African logistical corridors. The energy sector, previously identified as a vulnerability following the 2024 supply crisis, is now receiving substantial investment to secure production and diversify its energy mix.
The political dimension, however, is equally crucial. By engaging the nation’s key stakeholders, 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 signifies a strategic insight: large-scale infrastructure and economic transformation projects demand a minimum consensus to prevent their reversal with changes in political leadership. The emphasis on the nation, rather than the presidential camp, is integral to this long-term vision.
A strategy rooted in unity
The specific choice of language is deliberate. By invoking a “Greater Côte d’Ivoire,” the executive connects with a political legacy inherited from the founding president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where national ambition was articulated through powerful, mobilizing slogans. This asserted lineage aims to embed the presidential action within historical continuity and to mitigate criticisms regarding an excessive personalization of power. Nevertheless, the practical implementation of this appeal will depend on the institutions’ capacity to translate political declarations into concrete operational frameworks.
Observers note that the success of such an undertaking necessitates measurable progress in governance, the business environment, and the reduction of regional disparities. The northern and central regions of the country, which are less developed in terms of infrastructure compared to the lagoon coastal areas, remain priority zones. Furthermore, the challenge of youth inclusion, in a nation where over 75% of the population is under 35, represents a fundamental structural hurdle. The presidential call will gain full resonance only if it translates into tangible mechanisms for involving the mentioned actors in decision-making processes.