Cote d'Ivoire
Cote d'Ivoire at a glance

Region
West Africa

Country
Cote d'Ivoire

Country Head
President Alassane Ouattara

Capital
Yamoussoukro

Population
21,504,162m (2011, CIA WFB)

GDP
$37.02bn (2010)

GDP Per Capita
$1,800 (2010 est)

Main Language
French

Description
Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products, and, to a lesser extent, in climatic conditions. Despite government attempts to diversify the economy, it is still heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, engaging roughly 68% of the population. Since 2006, oil and gas production have become more important engines of economic activity than cocoa. According to IMF statistics, earnings from oil and refined products were $1.3 billion in 2006, while cocoa-related revenues were $1 billion during the same period. Cote d'Ivoire's offshore oil and gas production has resulted in substantial crude oil exports and provides sufficient natural gas to fuel electricity exports to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso.