The Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, has reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire toward accelerated emergence by urging all segments of society to unite in building what he calls the « Greater Côte d’Ivoire ». This rallying cry, issued at the start of a new political cycle, underscores the head of state’s determination to bring together administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared vision. It comes as Abidjan aims to leverage a decade of sustained growth to achieve a structural leap forward.
Uniting the nation’s vital forces
The president’s call explicitly targets every layer of Ivorian society. Government institutions, political parties, the private sector, civil society, traditional leadership, and the diaspora are all invited to contribute to this collective endeavor. The chosen phrasing reflects an inclusive approach to public action, where national success hinges on broad-based buy-in rather than executive fiat alone. This framing carries significant weight, arriving at a political juncture where the stability and continuity of public policies are paramount.
For Alassane Ouattara, this initiative builds on the guiding principles established since 2011, centered on industrialization, rural connectivity, and positioning Abidjan as a regional hub. The president seeks to convert a favorable macroeconomic climate—marked by average growth exceeding 6% in recent years—into tangible social benefits for households. The « Greater Côte d’Ivoire » vision encapsulates this dual ambition: solidifying key indicators while enhancing redistribution.
Long-term economic and political vision
Economically, the promise of a broader Côte d’Ivoire encompasses several ongoing flagship projects. The Port of Abidjan continues to expand, while the Port of San Pedro gains traction in mining and agricultural sectors. The highway network is extending northward toward Burkina Faso and Mali, aiming to strengthen West African trade corridors. The energy sector, long a vulnerability following the 2024 supply crisis, is receiving major investments to secure production and diversify the energy mix.
The political dimension of this vision is equally critical. By rallying diverse stakeholders, the Ivorian president seeks to widen the support base for his agenda beyond the Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la démocratie et la paix (RHDP). This rhetorical outreach reflects a strategic calculation: large-scale infrastructure and economic transformation projects demand a minimal consensus to withstand political transitions. By invoking the nation rather than a political faction, the president underscores a long-term perspective.
A strategy rooted in collective action
The choice of language is deliberate. Referring to the « Greater Côte d’Ivoire » evokes a political tradition inherited from founding president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where national ambition was expressed through mobilizing slogans. This claimed lineage aims to ground presidential actions in historical continuity while addressing criticisms of excessive personalization of power. Yet, the practical success of this call will depend on the institutions’ ability to translate political rhetoric into actionable mechanisms.
Observers stress that the success of such a project requires measurable progress in governance, business climate, and territorial equity. Northern and central regions, lagging in infrastructure compared to the coastal areas, remain priorities. Additionally, engaging youth—a demographic where over 75% of the population is under 35—poses a structural challenge. The president’s call will prove meaningful only if it leads to concrete mechanisms for involving the mentioned actors in decision-making processes.
