The third edition of the Oxford Business Group Côte d'Ivoire CEO Survey was presented this Wednesday at January 29 Abidjan, in the presence of Emmanuel Esmel Essis, Minister in charge of the Promotion of Private Investment and Joseph Seka Seka , his colleague from Environment and Sustainable Development.
From this survey carried out by this Economic Intelligence firm, in collaboration with Orange Côte d'Ivoire, it appears that 72% of the business leaders surveyed described their expectations as very positive with regard to the business climate, during of the next 12 months. Better still, 75% of them even declared that their companies intend to make a major investment during this election year.
“Despite the challenges ahead, the Ivorian business community remains confident about the short-term economic outlook. However, an economic slowdown is expected in the months leading up to the elections,” said Souhir Mzali, Oxford Business Group's Regional Editor for Africa.
“In 2019, 437 billion FCFA were invested in Côte d'Ivoire. A performance never equaled. The investor who is afraid does not make an investment in 2019, if he thinks that in 2020 disaster will strike the country. At the start of the year, we are already at 120 billion approved investments. 2020 will therefore be a year like all the other years,” reassures Emmanuel Esmel Essis, Minister responsible for the Promotion of Private Investment.
For business owners, the volatility of commodity prices, instability in neighboring countries and the deterioration of US-China relations are the main external risks for the Ivorian economy.
“2020 will undeniably be a strategic year for Côte d'Ivoire, but thanks to ever more solid economic foundations and ongoing economic diversification, the country is better equipped to face the challenges ahead,” adds Souhir Mzali, Regional Editor. of Oxford Business Group for Africa.
The third edition of the Oxford Business Group Côte d'Ivoire CEO Survey is based on data collected from private (84%), international (29%), regional (23%) and local (48%) companies.