This document is a new version of a study on Ivory Coast started in 1997 as part of a programme of the OCDE Development Centre called “Emerging Africa”. This work is an historical analysis of the Ivorian economy since the independence of the country. The economic growth period between 1994 and 1998 is compared to other similar economic growth periods and also to stabilisation policies and structural reforms of the 80’s. This period was exceptional and a big opportunity to start more structural reform policies. Unfortunately, the main problems were not solved. The economic system is still suffering from a neocolonial and unequal system of distribution of wealth. The economic growth was not used to develop anti-poverty policies. Inequality and social problems increased and also undermined the legitimacy of the government since 1999. The first section of the paper analyses previous and present performances of the Ivorian economy, and the long-term growth factors. In section 2, the macro-economic stabilisation issues are discussed. Successively, pre and post devaluation stabilisation reforms, as well as the sustainability of the foreign debt are analysed. The aim of section 3 is to discuss the reforms of the banking system, trade liberalisation and domestic market reforms. Finally, income and poverty dynamics and a critical view of the social policies are presented in section 4.
