Côte d'Ivoire's economy is heavily influenced by its informal sector, which contributes significantly to GDP but is often underreported in official statistics. An action research study was conducted, involving surveys and interviews with key informants from various sectors within the Ivorian economy, focusing on small businesses and self-employed individuals. The informal sector accounts for approximately 40% of GDP in Côte d'Ivoire, a figure that has remained consistent over recent years despite efforts to formalize the economy. Despite significant contributions to GDP, the informal economy remains underreported in official statistics, highlighting the need for improved data collection methods. The government and statistical agencies should implement more robust surveys targeting small businesses and self-employed individuals to capture a more accurate picture of the informal sector's contribution to GDP.
Doumbouga et al. (Thu,) studied this question.