The African Development Bank Group and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire convened a High-Level Portfolio Review in Abidjan last Thursday, solidifying their commitment to transformative development and evaluating the progress of Bank-financed projects. The meeting, attended by key government ministers and senior Bank officials, highlighted the significant growth and performance of the Bank’s portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Bank’s active portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire has seen a remarkable 500% increase since 2015, now comprising 38 operations with commitments totaling 1,883 billion FCFA (approximately $2.976 million USD). Lamin Barrow, Director General for the West Africa Region, emphasized the Bank’s focus on “structuring and transformative” projects, such as the Abidjan Urban Transport Project and Agro-Industrial Hubs, which are driving urban development and food security.
The review also noted a substantial improvement in project performance, with flagged projects decreasing from 38% in September 2024 to 20% by December 2024, surpassing the Bank’s institutional target. Projects like the Diversification, Industrial Acceleration, Competitiveness, and Employment Project (DAICE) and the Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Youth Employment Improvement Project (PACE) were recognized for their alignment with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND 2021-2025).
However, challenges remain, including delays in project start-ups, procurement issues, and the timely submission of financial audits. Barrow addressed these concerns, proposing solutions like consolidating audits to meet the mid-2025 deadline. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire called for expanded support in critical sectors such as health, water, sanitation, and housing.
Both parties agreed on actionable steps to address these challenges, including the prompt designation of project teams and streamlined procurement processes. The review concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening the partnership, with both the Bank and the Government expressing optimism about achieving lasting and impactful results for the people of Côte d’Ivoire.
