Following a gradual re-engagement over the past year, The World Bank has resumed its assistance program to Côte d’Ivoire having cleared all arrears with the country on April 2, 2008 and reinstated the country’s eligibility for disbursements under existing and new operations.

A new Interim Strategy Note (ISN) details the Bank’s program of assistance to Côte d’Ivoire for 2008/09 under three strategic pillars:

• Support stabilization of the crisis and assist the government in addressing key conflict factors (through implementation of the Ouagadougou Peace Accord);
• Assist war-affected populations by way of community rehabilitation and support to the provision of basic social services;
• Assist economic recovery and reform by focusing on economic governance reforms, institutional building, fostering demand for governance and accountability and supporting sustained economic growth.

An Economic Governance and Recovery Grant (EGRG) for US$308m represents the first program in the Bank’s new assistance to Côte d’Ivoire, supporting governance reforms in energy, financial, cocoa and public expenditure management sectors.

In FY08, the Bank will also reactivate four projects from the existing portfolio of US$104 million in education, transport and rural development and prepare three new projects in urban infrastructure rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS and governance for a total of US$120 million Further assistance in FY09 is expected to include more development policy support, emergency investments in key sectors such as energy, and continued emphasis on governance reforms.

Beyond FY08-09, a Country Assistance Strategy (CAS), which will be aligned with the PRSP currently under preparation by the Government, and a donors’ forum are planned to agree on a collective, longer-term strategy for financing the reconstruction program.

For more information, refer to the Country Brief.

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