Côte d'Ivoire's first three rounds of duty cuts for European Union goods under the Economic Partnership Agreement cost more than 28.4bn FCFA (€43.3mn) in customs revenue to September 2025, against an initial forecast of 120.69bn FCFA (€184mn), Finance Minister Adama Coulibaly told the National Assembly's finance committee on November 4, news site Koaci reported. The committee unanimously approved the bill for the fourth phase, which covers 1,074 more tariff lines.
Analysis: The minister attributed the gap to low use of the agreement, putting the rate of recourse at 13.5% in 2025 without defining it. The fourth phase, in force since January 1, brings the total to 4,459 duty-free lines and is expected to cost 45.44bn FCFA (€69.3mn) in 2026, or 1.4% of projected customs revenue, by our calculation. In plain terms, European goods become cheaper only for importers that claim the preference, so local manufacturers face that competition gradually. A fifth and final phase is due in 2029. The bill is scheduled for examination in plenary on December 16, according to the parliamentary calendar.
Source: Koaci (Abidjan-based news site), Koaci, 'Côte d'Ivoire : Les députés valident deux réformes stratégiques pour les banques et le commerce avec l'UE', November 4, 2026, To September 30, 2025 and 2025 and Fourth phase (in force January 1, 2026) and 2026; Gouvernement de Côte d'Ivoire (Porte-parole du Gouvernement), Government communication centre CICG via Abidjan.net, 'Accord de partenariat économique entre la Côte d'Ivoire et l'UE : la quatrième phase du démantèlement tarifaire comporte 1074 lignes tarifaires', August 6, 2026 (Council of Ministers of August 5), Phases 2019–2029; Agence Ivoirienne de Presse (state news agency), AIP, 'Assemblée nationale : le budget 2027, la réforme électorale et les fonds publics au menu de la 2e session', October 22, 2026, Second ordinary session 2026; Direction Générale du Budget et des Finances, Ministère des Finances et du Budget, DGBF, Bulletin mensuel d'information sur l'exécution du budget, août 2026 (BMIEB 2026/08, dated September 20, 2026; posted October 7, 2026), 2026 (outlook)