Economic Growth and Recovery - Côte d'Ivoire has achieved an average economic growth rate of 7% over the past decade, emerging from the devastation of civil wars to become a leading economy in Sub-Saharan Africa [1] - Following the end of conflicts in 2011, the government implemented a national development plan that led to an average GDP growth of approximately 9.6% from 2012 to 2015 [5][6] Agricultural Sector and Cocoa Industry - Côte d'Ivoire is the world's largest cocoa producer, contributing 40% of global cocoa beans, but has historically been trapped in low-value raw material exports [7] - The government aims to achieve 100% local processing of cocoa beans by 2030, with current local conversion rates at about 33% [10] - A new state-owned cocoa processing plant, capable of processing 50,000 tons annually, has recently commenced operations [10] Infrastructure Development - Côte d'Ivoire is the second-largest economy in the West African Economic Community and is actively enhancing its infrastructure to become a regional economic hub [13] - The country has a total road length of 82,500 kilometers, accounting for 50% of the total road length in the West African Economic and Monetary Union [16] - The Abidjan port, the largest container port in West Africa, has increased its annual throughput from 1.2 million to 2.5 million standard containers after upgrades [16] Private Sector Activation - The government has adopted a "flooding the market" approach to stimulate the private economy through policy relaxation and market opening [17] - In 2023, over 25,000 new businesses were registered in Côte d'Ivoire, reflecting a vibrant entrepreneurial environment [17] - The collaboration between public and private sectors has resulted in an average economic growth rate of 6.5% from 2021 to 2023, despite global challenges [17]

Core Insights - A new cocoa processing plant has been inaugurated in Divo, Ivory Coast, with an annual processing capacity of 36,000 tons [1] - The plant represents an investment of 32 billion CFA francs (approximately 57 million USD) and is expected to create 1,000 jobs [1] - The facility will produce cocoa derivatives such as butter, cocoa fat, cocoa powder, cocoa blocks, and chocolate [1] - The plant utilizes solar energy for power and employs biomass boilers to use cocoa bean waste, reducing fossil fuel consumption [1] - Ivory Coast is the world's largest producer of cocoa beans, with a crushing capacity of 950,000 tons and an annual output of approximately 750,000 tons of processed cocoa [1]