The Ivorian government aims to make tourism one of the country’s main drivers of economic growth by 2030. This ambition was reaffirmed on Thursday in Abidjan by the Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Siandou Fofana, during the official opening and first ordinary session of the National Tourism Council for 2026.
Held under the theme "Ivorian Tourism by 2030: Innovation, Sustainability, and Competitiveness,” the meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress achieved through the Sublime Côte d’Ivoire strategy, launched in 2018.
According to the minister, nearly 6.7 million visitors have been welcomed since the program’s implementation, generating more than 1.1 trillion CFA francs in revenue, equivalent to approximately 8.7% of the national GDP. The sector is also estimated to have created 675,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Investments in the modernization of hotel, road, and airport infrastructure have helped strengthen the country’s attractiveness. More than 1,100 inspections have been carried out in tourism establishments, while 480 facilities have obtained official classification status and over 2,120 licenses and accreditations have been issued.
For the authorities, the next objective is to firmly position Côte d’Ivoire among the most competitive tourist destinations on the African continent. This strategy is built around three key pillars: innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness.
The government plans to accelerate the digitalization of tourism services, develop online promotion and booking platforms, while strengthening environmental protection and enhancing the role of local communities.
As part of this strategy, several major tourism hubs are currently being developed, notably in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, San Pedro, and Man, with the aim of expanding the national tourism offering and attracting more investors and international visitors.