In brief
The government announced the Integrated Mineral Resources and Energy Policy, which seeks to mobilise 38 trillion CFA francs ($66 billion) by 2040 and boost the mining, oil and energy sectors to nearly 14 % of GDP. The plan relies largely on private investment, targets large-scale production figures, and pledges local processing and job creation. Recent developments include a Maslow‑type MOU in Gaborone and offshore exploration approvals that signal the policy’s early implementation phase.
In Abidjan, Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy Mamadou Sangafowa‑Coulibaly presented the Integrated Mineral Resources and Energy Policy (PIRME) on 10 November 2026, a move that marked a decisive turn toward making mining, oil and energy the country’s second pillar aside from agriculture (Xinhua).
The PIRME, adopted by the Council of Ministers on 3 December 2025, lays out a framework intended to mobilise 38 trillion CFA francs—about $66 billion—by 2040. Its aim is to double the combined contribution of the three sectors to the national economy, reaching nearly 14 % of GDP. The policy also sets concrete production targets, calling for an increase in oil output to 500,000 barrels per day and an expansion of installed electricity capacity to 11,400 megawatts by the mid‑century.
Unlike many commodity‑focused strategies, PIRME leans heavily on private sector input: 88 % of the required investment is expected to come from the private sector, leaving the public sector to provide the balance (Xinhua). The plan highlights key infrastructure projects—such as a new mineral export port in San Pedro, a network of rail lines to streamline mineral transport, and a second oil refinery in the country’s main port city—to create a streamlined logistics backbone for resource extraction and processing.
Beyond raw output, the policy maps a pathway for local integration. It sets a 45 % share of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030 and lays out a goal that by 2035, 95 % of the goods and services needed by the extractive industry will come from Ivorian firms. Workforce development is central, with a statutory objective that 95 % of the workforce on oil platforms and industrial mines will be national citizens by that same year (Xinhua). In the mining sector alone, the policy targets the production of 150 tonnes of refined gold annually while locally processing 1.25 million tonnes of manganese.
Environmental stewardship and equitable resource distribution are embedded in the policy’s ethos. Officials said PIRME will “balance resource development with agricultural growth, environmental protection and a more equitable distribution of economic benefits” (Xinhua). The framework also pledges transparency and governance measures, though details of audits or mechanisms for public oversight remain to be fleshed out in upcoming legislative proposals.
Following the policy’s presentation, further concrete steps have been taken. On 31 July 2026, during the launch of SIREXE, a memorandum of understanding covering the mining and energy sectors was signed in Gaborone, Botswana. The MOU, reported by African Mining Market, underscored international collaboration and signaled the policy’s reach beyond national borders (African Mining Market). In the same month, the government granted Vaalco Energy Inc. approval to commence the second exploration phase at offshore Block CI‑705, a development highlighted by Oil & Gas Journal (Oil & Gas Journal). These moves demonstrate the policy’s early operational traction and the country’s intent to attract foreign expertise and capital.
The PIRME’s emphasis on private‑sector dominance raises both optimism and caution among citizens and civil‑society observers. On the positive side, a high level of domestic employment on future projects promises job creation and skill transfer, potentially alleviating unemployment in regions that historically lagged behind the tourism and export‑dairy hubs. The requirement that local companies supply 95 % of services for the extractive industry could shift value chains inward, expanding local manufacturing and technical capabilities.
Critics worry that the heavy reliance on outsiders for capital could dilute accountability. If 88 % of the 38 trillion CFA francs infusion comes from private entities— many likely multinational corporations—then the state may have limited leverage to enforce labour standards or enforce environmental safeguards. The policy’s stated commitment to transparency may hinge on national regulatory bodies that could be under-resourced to supervise large foreign firms, raising concerns about the adequacy of the intended governance measures (Xinhua).
Governance also shifts toward a new “second pillar” of the economy. The upgraded focus on mining and energy reshapes fiscal priorities, potentially widening the revenue base but also raising expectations of national resource revenue reporting and allocation. To safeguard public accountability, the Council of Ministers is expected to publish annual progress reports, yet the political will to maintain rigorous oversight, especially in light of a potentially volatile global commodity market, remains an open question.
For the Ivorian populace, especially in mining towns near San Pedro and the port city of Abidjan, the policy promises an influx of new jobs and infrastructure. Yet it also brings uncertainty, as rapid industrialization may strain local ecosystems, alter land use patterns, and widen disparities between communities that gain from the new jobs and those that feel sidelined by corporate interests.
In conclusion, the Integrated Mineral Resources and Energy Policy marks a strategic pivot toward a resource‑driven economy that could transform Côte d’Ivoire’s growth trajectory. With ambitious output targets and a heavy reliance on private investment, it offers the possibility of accelerated development and job creation, while simultaneously presenting challenges in maintaining public accountability, protecting the environment, and ensuring that the economic upside reaches all citizens. The policy’s unfolding will hinge on how well the state can balance corporate participation with equitable, transparent governance (Xinhua; African Mining Market; Oil & Gas Journal).