• Côte d’Ivoire, UNFPA sign $75 million cooperation programme for 2026-2030

• Plan targets maternal health, family planning, gender-based violence, demographic data

• Maternal mortality remains high despite gradual human development progress

Côte d'Ivoire and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on March 5 signed a ninth cooperation programme covering 2026-2030, backed by $75 million in funding.

The programme focuses on four priorities: improving maternal health, expanding family planning, combating gender-based violence and harmful practices, and strengthening the production and use of demographic data.

It aligns with the country’s National Development Plan (PND 2021-2030), which prioritizes human capital development, skills development and the creation of decent jobs.

“The implementation of this ninth programme will help end preventable maternal deaths, unmet family planning needs and gender-based violence, including harmful practices,” Planning and Development Minister Souleymane Diarrassouba said.

Côte d'Ivoire’s Human Development Index (HDI) rose by 0.017 between 2022 and 2023, but the country still faces major challenges, according to government figures.

In the health sector, the World Health Organization, citing the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey, estimates the maternal mortality ratio at 385 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 614 in 2011 but still far above the global target of 140 by 2030.

Women also face unequal access to education, finance, land and decision-making roles, as well as gender-based violence.

To address these issues, authorities have introduced several initiatives, including a maternal mortality surveillance system, the Support Fund for Women of Côte d’Ivoire (FAFCI) and a gender parity law.

With population growth estimated at 2.73%, according to the National Statistics Agency (Anstat), Côte d’Ivoire has a predominantly young population. This demographic structure represents both a potential development asset and a major challenge.

The programme follows a previous cooperation cycle that secured roughly $100 million in funding.

Lydie Mobio