Growth remained healthy in 2016 buoyed by ongoing major public works to repair infrastructure under the 2nd National Development Plan (2016-2020), the improved business climate and enhanced political stability. These factors, underpinning investment, broadly counterbalanced the negative impact on tourism of the Grand-Bassam beach resort attack in March 2016. Furthermore, guaranteed prices for farmers, the introduction of universal health cover and wage rises continued to drive private consumption in an environment of contained inflation. Activity is expected to remain vigorous in 2017, sustained by continued efforts brought to infrastructure developments, greater investment in agriculture and housing alongside still robust private consumption. As to the country's flagship product, cocoa, the harvest begun in October 2016 looks promising, after a poor mid-crop in the spring, due to the impact of El Niňo. However, cocoa prices have plummeted since summer 2016, due to the stagnation in world demand and ample inventories. In this context, the Coffee and Cocoa Council of Ivory Coast is seeking to boost prices by suspending forward sales ahead of the 2017-2018 crop. Meanwhile, although steadily declining, hydrocarbon production could recover in the years to come thanks to the discovery of new fields and planned investments. Growth remains exposed to commodity price fluctuations and is still constrained by outdated infrastructure. However, the economic recovery since the end of the post-electoral crisis has helped raise the population's living standards and stimulate internal consumption. To maintain strong growth, it looks as if it will be necessary to develop the manufacturing export sector (by increasing investment in human capital and reducing the obstacles to cross-border trade), to reduce income inequalities and avoid implementing a pro-cyclical budget policy.

The current account deficit is tending to widen reflecting strong imports associated with investments. Cocoa exports have dipped slightly since reaching a peak in 2015, while oil exports have for several years been on an uninterrupted downward trend. Both products still account for half of the sales abroad. Unlike the trade balance, the invisible balance is in deficit. Foreign direct investments and external borrowing help to finance most of the current account deficit. The fiscal deficit deepened in 2016, because of increased spending including expenditure on security, health, and education. In order to maintain the sustainability of the public debt, attained since the debt relief granted to the country in 2012 under the HIPC/MDR initiatives, the authorities and the IMF have agreed that the public deficit should converge towards the WAEMU norm of 3% of GDP by 2019. This will require enhanced revenue collection and containment of current spending. Steps to address budget risks from struggling public-sector companies are planned. In addition, an agreement has been reached on the stages for accelerating the restructuring of banks and state-owned enterprises.

The October 2015 presidential election led smoothly to the re-election of the outgoing President Alassane Ouattara for a five-year term, which allowed the country to finally turn the page on the violence which had bloodied the country after the 2010 presidential election. Nevertheless, some of the opposition called for a boycott, citing loyalty to former President Gbagbo (currently being tried by the International Criminal Court). The Head of State secured the adoption of a new constitution by referendum at the end of October 2016, which provides for the creation of a post of Vice-president and of a Senate and eliminates the concept of Ivorian nationality by clarifying the conditions for eligibility for the office of president. Nevertheless, the reconciliation between the Ivorians has not been achieved yet. The 2016 referendum was boycotted by the opposition and the voter turnout was low. Moreover, young people and the poor strata of the urban population are gaining little benefit from economic growth. The lack of jobs, the inadequate quality of public services and perceived corruption could still fuel social tensions. However, the bipartite coalition in power won a landslide victory in the December 2016 general elections.