Côte d'Ivoire has confirmed its return to the forefront of the African mining sector. According to the latest ranking by the Fraser Institute , published on February 26, 2026, the country has become the most attractive mining jurisdiction in West Africa, rising to 5th place on the continent. With a score of 60.92 out of 100, a significant improvement compared to the 55.70 points obtained in 2023, the momentum is clearly geared towards strengthening its attractiveness.

This benchmark ranking, based on surveys of executives from companies operating in 68 mining jurisdictions, relies on two key criteria: the perception of public policies and geological potential. Côte d'Ivoire has seen significant improvements in both areas, confirming the growing confidence of international investors. This perception is corroborated by industry players: at the Africa Down Under conference in 2025, Justin Tremain, CEO of Turaco Gold , stated that there is "no better place in the world" to develop a gold mine than Côte d'Ivoire . This view is shared by Adam Oehlman, head of African Gold , in light of the rapid discoveries made at the Didievi project.

Within the sub-region, Côte d'Ivoire is widening the gap with its neighbors. Ghana and Guinea occupy the second and third positions, while Mali and Burkina Faso remain behind with lower scores. On a continental scale, the country ranks behind Botswana , Morocco , Zambia , and Tanzania , which form the top four. Globally, Côte d'Ivoire ranks 47th, far behind the state of Nevada , which remains at the top of the overall ranking.

Beyond the statistical performance, the stated trajectory is noteworthy. Last January, the Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, presented PIRME, the Integrated Policy for Mineral Resources and Energy, a roadmap aiming to make Côte d'Ivoire the continent's leading gold producer within five years. This strategy rests on three main pillars: increasing attractiveness for international investment, boosting national production capacity, and ensuring sustainable mining operations that respect both local communities and the environment.

The challenge remains significant, however. The top-ranked countries, notably Botswana and Morocco , maintain a substantial lead. Furthermore, the African continent presents a mixed picture, with several jurisdictions ranked among the least attractive in the world. But Côte d'Ivoire 's rapid and sustained progress demonstrates that the country possesses the potential and the necessary foundations to continue its upward trajectory and translate this attractiveness into tangible results, both for the national economy and for local communities.