Côte d'Ivoire's economy is heavily reliant on its informal sector, which contributes significantly to GDP but remains underreported in official statistics. An action research study involving interviews with key informants from various sectors, focus group discussions, and an online survey targeting small businesses in urban areas of Côte d'Ivoire. The informal economy contributes approximately 40% to GDP, highlighting the importance of this sector despite its underreporting in official figures. The study underscores the need for improved data collection methods and policies that recognise the vital role of the informal economy in Côte d'Ivoire's economic landscape. Develop a comprehensive database system to capture and report on the informal sector, and advocate for public-private partnerships to enhance this data collection process. informal economy, GDP contribution, Côte d'Ivoire, action research