Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP)

Background on Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP)

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) describe a country's macroeconomic, structural, and social policies and programs to promote growth and reduce poverty, as well as associated external financing needs. PRSPs are prepared by governments through a participatory process that involves civil society and development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers provide the basis for World Bank and IMF assistance as well as debt relief under the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative. PRSPs should be country-driven, comprehensive, partnership-oriented, and participatory. A country only needs to write a PRSP every three years; however, changes can be made to the content of a PRSP using an Annual Progress Report. Refer to the World Bank Povertynet website for more information.

Interim PRSP for Côte d'Ivoire , January 2002

The January 2002 Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PDF) for Côte d'Ivoire presents an assessment of the existing poverty data, an analysis of the government policies that ensure macroeconomic stability and on how such policies would impact the government's poverty reduction objectives at the time. The strategy was prepared with extensive involvement of civil society and stakeholders but its implementation was unfortunately interrupted by the conflict.

The I-PRSP’s main poverty reduction objective was to reduce the poverty rate in the medium term from 33.6 percent in 1998 to 30 percent in 2005. In particular, the I-PRSP rested on six pillars:

• Stabilization of the macroeconomic framework
• Promotion of the private sector and rural development
• Improving equitable access to and the quality of basic social services
• Decentralization
• Promotion of good governance and capacity building
• Strengthening of the security of property and individuals

Please refer to the Côte d'Ivoire I-PRSP for detailed information.

Full PRSP for Côte d'Ivoire, expected mid-2008

The normalization process over 2007 and a joint Bank-UN desk review for a post-conflict needs assessment have launched a new PRSP process, which commenced in December 2007.

An evaluation of the I-PRSP was issued in mid-March setting out achievements and challenges since 2002 and the onset of the crisis as well as setting out the intended strategic objectives of the PRSP. Regional consultations are underway and a household budget survey, crucial for up-to-date data is being launched. A first draft of the full-PRSP is expected by end-June.