The Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast, is a West African nation along the Gulf of Guinea.

Bordered by Guinea and Liberia to the west, Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the country occupies a land area of approximately 322,463 square kilometres.

Its political capital is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan serves as the economic capital and largest city. Côte d’Ivoire gained independence from France on August 7, 1960, and has since maintained French as its official language.

However, over 70 local languages are widely spoken, including Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, Anyin, and Cebaara Senufo. The country’s population is estimated at 26.3 million, with diverse religious affiliations including Islam, Christianity, and indigenous beliefs. The national currency is the West African CFA franc. Côte d’Ivoire is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Following years of political instability and two civil conflicts in 2002 and 2011, Côte d’Ivoire has made significant progress toward political stabilisation and economic growth. The 2016 Constitution, approved through a national referendum, introduced notable reforms designed to enhance democratic governance, protect human rights, and promote decentralisation. These reforms marked an important milestone in the country’s post-conflict democratic consolidation efforts.

Despite these advances, Côte d’Ivoire continues to face challenges that test the resilience of its democratic institutions.

The country has yet to witness a peaceful transfer of executive power since independence, and lingering political, regional, and ethnic divisions remain key sources of tension. Additionally, growing public dissatisfaction with the political process, concerns about electoral credibility, and persistent gender inequality pose risks to inclusive and transparent governance.

As the nation approaches a new electoral cycle, Côte d’Ivoire is preparing for a series of critical polls: the presidential election in 2025, National Assembly elections in 2026, and municipal, regional, and Senate elections in 2028.