Côte d'Ivoire's Informal Economy: Contribution to GDP and Comparative Analysis

Côte d'Ivoire's informal economy plays a significant role in the country's overall economic activities and contributes to gross domestic product (GDP). This study aims to explore the extent of this contribution. The study employs a comparative research design using secondary data sources such as government reports, international financial databases, and academic journals to analyse the contribution of Côte d'Ivoire's informal economy to GDP. Comparative analysis is conducted by examining similar studies from other African countries. Côte d'Ivoire's informal sector contributes approximately 35% to its GDP, with a notable increase in recent years due to economic reforms and urbanization trends. This study underscores the importance of understanding the dynamics of the informal economy for comprehensive analysis of Côte d'Ivoire's overall economic performance. The findings suggest that targeted interventions in key sectors could enhance formal sector growth while preserving the vital contributions of the informal economy. Policy recommendations include prioritising reforms in sectors most heavily reliant on informal activities, such as agriculture and services, to boost their formalization without compromising their contribution to GDP.