Côte d'Ivoire's economy is predominantly driven by its formal sector, with a significant portion of economic activity occurring in the informal economy. A comprehensive survey was conducted among key informants including government officials, business leaders, and community members to gather data on the size and characteristics of the informal sector. The analysis revealed that the informal economy contributes approximately 45% to Côte d'Ivoire's GDP, highlighting its substantial economic importance despite being under-represented in official statistics. The survey underscores the need for policy interventions aimed at formalizing the informal sector and fostering sustainable growth within this critical part of the economy. Policymakers should consider implementing measures to enhance access to finance, improve regulatory frameworks, and provide training programmes to support small-scale entrepreneurs in formalizing their operations.
Ouédraogo et al. (Sun,) studied this question.