IVORY COAST · PUBLIC FINANCE
Key Facts
- The country Ivory Coast, officially Côte d’Ivoire, is a West African country and the world’s largest cocoa producer, with Abidjan as its economic capital.
- What happened On Wednesday 28 October 2026 the audit court told parliament the 2025 deficit was about 2,208 billion CFA francs (about US$3.75 billion).
- The numbers Revenue reached 7,332 billion CFA francs (about US$12.46 billion) against 9,540 billion CFA francs (about US$16.21 billion) of spending.
- How it was covered Treasury operations produced a surplus of 2,579 billion CFA francs (about US$4.38 billion), leaving an overall surplus of 369 billion CFA francs (about US$0.63 billion).
- Public debt Debt stood at 33,159 billion CFA francs (about US$56.34 billion) at the end of 2025, or 57.8% of GDP, under the regional ceiling of 70%.
- Still open The court’s figures do not state the 2025 deficit as a share of GDP, and parliament has yet to vote on the settlement law.
The Ivory Coast deficit for 2025 reached about 2,208 billion CFA francs (about US$3.75 billion), the national audit court said. Kanvaly Diomandé, president of the Cour des comptes, presented the figure to the National Assembly in Abidjan on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Treasury operations produced a surplus of 2,579 billion CFA francs (about US$4.38 billion), which covered the gap. The overall accounts therefore closed 369 billion CFA francs (about US$0.63 billion) in surplus, even though the Ivory Coast deficit followed a revenue shortfall.
What the Audit Court Told Parliament
The Cour des comptes is Ivory Coast’s supreme audit institution, the body that checks how the government spends public money. Diomandé presented its review of the 2025 budget at a parliamentary information session attended by Jérôme Patrick Achi, president of the National Assembly.
Achi called oversight of public finances a fundamental pillar of good governance. The court declared the 2025 accounts of the state’s public accountants in order, subject to errors found in later checks.
Conversions in this article use 588.5 CFA francs to the US dollar, the rate on 29 October 2026. The CFA franc is the shared currency of eight West African countries and is pegged to the euro.
How the Gap Opened Up
The state collected 7,332 billion CFA francs (about US$12.46 billion) in budget revenue, against a forecast of 7,963 billion CFA francs (about US$13.53 billion). Spending reached 9,540 billion CFA francs (about US$16.21 billion), below a plan of 10,284 billion CFA francs (about US$17.47 billion).
The gap between the two actual figures is the Ivory Coast deficit of roughly 2,208 billion CFA francs (about US$3.75 billion). Revenue missed its forecast by 631 billion CFA francs (about US$1.07 billion), while spending ran 744 billion CFA francs (about US$1.26 billion) under plan.
The court pointed to weak revenue forecasts and uneven collection as part of the problem. It also noted the low yield of the single export duty on cocoa and trouble collecting 122 service fees after they were reclassified.
How the Treasury Covered It
Treasury operations are the side of the accounts where the state borrows and manages its cash. In 2025 they left a surplus of 2,579 billion CFA francs (about US$4.38 billion), more than enough to cover the deficit.
That left an overall surplus of about 369 billion CFA francs (about US$0.63 billion). Such a surplus does not mean revenue paid for spending, because treasury financing filled the Ivory Coast deficit.
The government’s own settlement bill for 2025 shows a similar balance of 369.1 billion CFA francs (about US$0.63 billion). The Council of Ministers, the cabinet, adopted that bill on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Debt Stays Under the Regional Ceiling
Public debt reached 33,159 billion CFA francs (about US$56.34 billion) at the end of 2025, up from 31,416 billion (about US$53.38 billion) a year earlier. That equals 57.8% of GDP, below the 70% limit of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, the bloc sharing the CFA franc.
Diomandé said Ivory Coast is very well placed and that there is no cause for concern on debt. For a regional comparison, see how Senegal’s debt crisis and IMF talks unfold.
Where the Court Found Weak Spots
The court found gaps between the budget changes reported by line ministries and those recorded by the Finance Ministry. It also flagged frequent use of advance letters to move money, changes made after the year had closed and missing transfer decrees.
Some projects funded from foreign money were not carried out, and issues of public securities did not always respect their authorisations. Supporting papers were also incomplete for some state claims, including those on the state housing company Sicogi.
Auditors reviewed 153 spending programmes across 33 ministries, and 25 of those ministries executed more than 90% of their budgets. Only about half of the planned external financing was mobilised, and delays hit water, sanitation and electricity projects.
What Happens Next
The 2025 settlement bill, which formally closes the accounts for the year, now goes to parliament for a vote. Lawmakers will weigh the court’s findings when they examine it.
The same cabinet meeting adopted the 2027 budget at 18,466.1 billion CFA francs (about US$31.38 billion), with a deficit target of 3.5% of GDP. The 2026 deficit is set at 3.8% of GDP, according to the government’s figures.
The court urged officials to follow budget procedures more closely so the next Ivory Coast deficit rests on more reliable data. Of 92 earlier recommendations, 62 were fully applied, 6 partly applied and 24 left without action.
What It Means for US Readers
Ivory Coast supplies a large share of the world’s cocoa, so its finances matter to chocolate makers and to holders of Ivorian bonds. An Ivory Coast deficit of about US$3.75 billion, paired with debt below the regional ceiling, is the balance bond buyers weigh.
The court’s warnings about forecasting, spending controls and cocoa export duty income point to the areas where the budget can slip. Travellers and business visitors see no direct effect, since the findings concern accounting and planning rather than public services.
What Is Not Known
The court’s figures do not give the 2025 deficit as a share of GDP, so a comparison with the regional 3% ceiling is not possible. Parliament has not yet voted on the settlement law.
It is also unclear how much of the treasury surplus came from new borrowing and how much from other sources. The court has not said whether it expects the gaps it found to change the 2027 budget.
Two figures circulate for the same session. The revenue and spending totals give 2,208 billion CFA francs (about US$3.75 billion), while the detailed audit report gives 2,210 billion (about US$3.76 billion).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How big was the Ivory Coast budget deficit in 2025?
The national audit court put the Ivory Coast deficit at about 2,208 billion CFA francs (about US$3.75 billion). It presented the figure to the National Assembly on Wednesday 28 October 2026.
Who presented the figures?
Kanvaly Diomandé, the president of the Cour des comptes, presented them in Abidjan. National Assembly president Jérôme Patrick Achi attended the session.
Why is there an overall surplus despite the Ivory Coast deficit?
Treasury operations produced a surplus of 2,579 billion CFA francs (about US$4.38 billion), which covered the deficit. The overall balance was a surplus of 369 billion CFA francs (about US$0.63 billion).
Is Ivory Coast’s debt too high?
Debt stood at 57.8% of GDP at the end of 2025, below the regional ceiling of 70%. The court’s president said there is no cause for concern.
What happens to the 2025 accounts now?
The settlement bill that closes the 2025 accounts goes to parliament for a vote. The Council of Ministers adopted it on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Sources: Cour des comptes de Côte d’Ivoire, 28 October 2026; Assemblée nationale de Côte d’Ivoire, 28 October 2026; Gouvernement de Côte d’Ivoire, Conseil des ministres, 14 October 2026; Direction générale du Budget et des Finances, 2025 budget law.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief