African Marketing Journal | 18 September 2010
The Informal Economy in Côte d'Ivoire: Its Contribution to GDP,
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Abstract
Côte d'Ivoire is a West African country with significant informal economic activities that contribute to its GDP but are often understudied. The research employs a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with local entrepreneurs, focus group discussions, and secondary data analysis to understand the dynamics of the informal economy within Côte d'Ivoire’s economic landscape. Interviews revealed that the informal sector contributes approximately 40% to GDP across different regions, with significant contributions from agriculture and services in coastal areas. The study underscores the substantial role of the informal economy in Côte d'Ivoire’s GDP and highlights its regional variations. Policy recommendations are provided for inclusive economic growth strategies. Promoting formalization programmes that integrate informal sector workers into the broader economy is recommended to enhance overall productivity and stability.