Ouattara’s vision for a greater Côte d’Ivoire: a call for national unity
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara has unequivocally reiterated his commitment to steering Côte d’Ivoire towards a trajectory of accelerated progress, rallying all vital national forces to contribute to what he terms the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire.” This directive, articulated at the commencement of a new political era, underscores the head of state’s ambition to unify administrative, economic, religious, and community leaders around a shared national agenda. It arrives as Abidjan endeavors to leverage a decade of sustained economic expansion to achieve a new structural benchmark.
A call for cohesion among ivoirian vital forces
The presidential appeal explicitly targets every segment of Ivorian society. Republican institutions, political parties, the private sector, civil society, traditional chieftaincies, and the diaspora are all invited to participate in this collective endeavor. The phrasing chosen reflects an integrative vision of public action, where the success of the national project hinges on broad adherence rather than solely on executive voluntarism. This strategic framework is significant, emerging during a political period where the continuity of public policies and national stability are particularly crucial.
For Alassane Ouattara, this initiative extends the major policy directions championed since 2011, which have centered on industrialization, opening up rural areas, and positioning Abidjan as a regional hub. The president aims to translate a favorable macroeconomic dynamic, marked by an average growth exceeding 6% in recent years, into more tangible social benefits for households. The rhetoric of the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire” encapsulates this dual ambition: solidifying economic indicators and enhancing redistribution.
A long-term economic and political blueprint
Economically, the promise of an expanded Côte d’Ivoire encompasses several foundational projects already underway. The Port of Abidjan continues its significant expansion, while the Port of San Pedro is bolstering its capacity in the mining and agricultural sectors. The highway network is extending northward, connecting towards Burkina Faso and Mali, with the objective of strengthening crucial West African logistical corridors. The energy sector, previously identified as a vulnerability following the 2024 supply crisis, is now receiving substantial investments to secure production and diversify its energy mix.
The political dimension, however, is equally paramount. By engaging the nation’s vital forces, the Ivorian president seeks to broaden the support base for his administration beyond the confines of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party apparatus. This rhetorical openness signifies a strategic calculation: major infrastructure projects and economic transformations necessitate a minimum consensus to prevent their reversal with future governmental transitions. The deliberate reference to the nation, rather than just the presidential camp, aligns with this long-term political rationale.
A methodology founded on unity
The choice of terminology is far from accidental. By speaking of the “Greater Côte d’Ivoire,” the executive aligns itself with a political tradition inherited from founding President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where national ambition was expressed through mobilizing slogans. This claimed lineage aims to anchor presidential action in historical continuity and to defuse criticisms concerning an excessive personalization of power. Nevertheless, the practical implementation of this call will depend on the institutions’ capacity to translate political statements into operational mechanisms.
Observers note that the success of such an ambitious project requires measurable advancements in governance, the business climate, and the reduction of territorial inequalities. The northern and central regions of the country, which are less endowed with infrastructure than the lagoon front, remain priority areas. Furthermore, the issue of youth inclusion, in a nation where over 75% of the population is under 35, represents a structural challenge. The presidential appeal will achieve its full significance if it translates into concrete mechanisms for involving the mentioned stakeholders in decision-making processes.
