Cote d'Ivoire Infrastructure Report Q2 2009

A troubled recent history of hostilities and political stalemate has weighed heavily on the prospects and prosperity of Cte d'Ivoire. The African nation ranks 166th out of 177 countries on the 2008 Human Development Index, compiled by the UN Development Program. Poverty grew from 38.2% just before hostilities commenced in 2002 to 43.2% in 2006.

The repeated postponement of elections only drags the political stalemate out. The country hasn't held an election since 2000 and President Laurent Gbagbo's mandate expired in 2005. The latest delay stems from problems registering voters. At the moment, no date has been set for elections. Delayed elections, of course, mean that any political fallout and instability that may eventuate following the elections is also delayed, and that the future political landscape of Cte d'Ivoire cannot be clearly anticipated at this time.

Despite the uncertainty, the government announced some infrastructure ambitions in the latest quarter.

Two big oil refinery projects were announced in the latest quarter. Reports said the government wants to double electricity generating capacity by 2016 and that it has ambitious plans to improve the roads that connect cocoa farmers to their markets. But announcements are one thing, and accomplishments another.

BMI continues to forecast economic growth in 2009, although the current expectation is that real growth will be only 2.1%, a performance that would be an improvement on the estimated 1.6% growth in 2008.

The pace of growth will pick up to 3.7% in 2010 and then to 5.3% in 2011. Exports are expected to slump by more than US$2bn, to US$7.75bn this year. Imports are also expected to fall. For a country that relies on customs duties for a significant share of its budget, such a slowdown in trade could be painful.

The stabilisation of the political situation and the potential for elections in 2009 suggest that significant improvements to the country's business environment could be on the cards over the coming years.

However, the challenges are considerable. Aside from a frail physical infrastructure and low education levels, the country's institutions - especially the judicial system - remain weak and plagued by corruption.

The country now faces the added problem of the global economic slowdown. The IMF says a 'third wave' of the economic crisis is about to hit the world's poorest countries, including those in Africa.

Major indigenous and foreign companies with a presence in Cte d'Ivoire's infrastructure sector include Bouygues, China Geo-Engineering Corporation, Saipem, Solel Boneh International Ltd., Technip and Vinci.

• Executive Summary
• Market Overview
• Cte D'Ivoire
• Global
• Weeding Out Possible White Elephants
• Mega-Urban Regions: Opportunities and Challenges for Infrastructure
• Mega-Urban Regions: Investment Opportunities And Risks
• SWOT Analysis
• Cte D'Ivoire Infrastructure Industry SWOT
• Cte d'Ivoire Political SWOT
• Cte d'Ivoire Economics SWOT
• Cte d'Ivoire Business Environment SWOT
• Major Infrastructure Developments and Key Projects
• Transport Infrastructure Overview
• New And Ongoing Projects
• Roads
• Ports
• Energy & Utilities Infrastructure Overview
• New and Ongoing Projects
• Water
• Power Plants And Transmission Grids
• Oil and Gas
• Construction
• Major Projects Table
• Industry Forecast Scenario
• Risks
• Business Environment
• Africa Infrastructure Business Environment Ratings
• Limits of Potential Returns
• Risk to Realisation of Potential Returns
• Project Finance Ratings: Outlook for Africa
• Foreign Direct Investment
• Foreign Trade Regime
• Labour Force
• Legal Framework
• Property Rights
• Corruption
• Tax Regime
• Macroeconomic Outlook
• Political Outlook
• Company Monitor
• Bouygues Group
• Azito Energie
• BMI Forecast Modelling
• How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
• Construction Industry
• Sources
• Business Environment Ratings
• Ratings Overview
• Project Finance Ratings Methodology
• Construction Risks
• Operating Risks - Commercial Construction
• Operating Risks - Energy and Utilities
• Operating Risks -Transport
• List of Tables
  • Table: The World's 30 Largest Urban Agglomerations
  • Table: The World's Richest Cities In 2020 By Gdp
  • Table: The World's Fastest Growing Urban Areas
  • Table: Cte d'Ivoire - Major Infrastructure Projects
  • Table: Economic And Construction Data
  • Table: Regional Infrastructure Business Environment Ratings
  • Table: Design And Construction Rating
  • Table: Commissioning And Operating Rating
  • Table: Overall Project Finance Rating
  • Table: Cte d'Ivoire - Economic Activity
  • Table: Infrastructure Business Environment Indicators