Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has unequivocally reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire towards an accelerated path of emergence. He has issued a powerful appeal to all vital national forces, urging their collective contribution to the realization of what he terms the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire.” This rallying cry, launched at the dawn of a new political era, signifies the head of state’s determination to unite administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared national project. The initiative comes as Abidjan seeks to leverage a decade of robust economic expansion to achieve a profound structural transformation.
A call for cohesion among Ivorian vital forces
The presidential appeal explicitly targets every segment of Ivorian society. Republican institutions, political parties, the private sector, civil society organizations, traditional chiefdoms, and the diaspora are all invited to participate in this unified endeavor. The chosen rhetoric underscores an inclusive vision of public action, where the success of the national agenda hinges on widespread support rather than solely on the executive’s resolve. This strategic framework holds particular significance within the current political landscape, where questions of stability and the continuity of public policies are exceptionally pertinent.
For Alassane Ouattara, this approach is a natural extension of the core principles he has championed since 2011, which center on industrialization, opening up rural areas, and solidifying Abidjan’s role as a key regional hub. The president aims to translate a favorable macroeconomic trend, marked by an average growth rate exceeding 6% in recent years, into more tangible social benefits for households. The vision of a “Greater Côte d’Ivoire” encapsulates this dual ambition: strengthening economic indicators while simultaneously increasing redistribution for broader societal gain.
A long-term economic and political blueprint
Economically, the promise of an expanded Côte d’Ivoire encompasses several major structural projects already underway. The port of Abidjan continues its significant expansion, while the port of San Pedro is enhancing its capacity, particularly for the mining and agricultural sectors. The national highway network is extending northward, forging crucial links towards Burkina Faso and Mali, with the strategic objective of reinforcing West African logistics corridors. The energy sector, identified as a vulnerability following the 2024 supply challenges, is receiving substantial investment to secure production and diversify its energy mix.
The political dimension is no less critical. By engaging the nation’s vital forces, the Ivorian president seeks to broaden the support base for his administration beyond the direct apparatus of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party. This rhetorical openness reflects a strategic understanding: significant infrastructure projects and economic transformations demand a minimum level of consensus to ensure they are not jeopardized by political transitions. The emphasis on the nation, rather than solely the presidential camp, aligns with this long-term perspective.
A methodology founded on unity
The careful choice of terminology is deliberate. By invoking the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire,” the executive consciously aligns itself with a political tradition inherited from founding President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where national ambition was articulated through powerful, mobilizing slogans. This asserted lineage aims to anchor the presidential agenda in historical continuity and to mitigate criticisms regarding an excessive personalization of power. Nevertheless, the practical implementation of this call will ultimately depend on the institutions’ ability to translate political pronouncements into actionable operational mechanisms.
Observers note that the success of such an ambitious project necessitates measurable progress in governance, the business environment, and the fight against territorial inequalities. The northern and central regions of the country, which possess fewer infrastructures compared to the lagoon coastal areas, remain priority zones for development. Furthermore, the question of youth inclusion poses a structural challenge in a nation where over 75% of the population is under 35 years old. The presidential appeal will achieve its full significance if it translates into concrete mechanisms that actively involve all mentioned stakeholders in the decision-making processes, fostering true Côte d’Ivoire national unity.
