• Patrick Achi elected president of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly

• Former prime minister wins 84.98% in 2026–2031 legislature vote

• RHDP consolidates majority amid strong economic growth outlook

Former Prime Minister Patrick Achi was elected president of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. He won the vote with 84.98% of votes cast during the inaugural session of the 2026–2031 legislature.

Achi, 71, is a member of parliament and a senior figure in the Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP). He succeeds Adama Bictogo. He becomes the ninth president of the institution under the Third Republic and, with this position, becomes the third-highest-ranking official in the state.

An engineer by training, long discreet but influential, Achi has established himself over the years as one of the pillars of the Ivorian state apparatus. After holding several positions within the executive branch, he became prime minister in 2021, becoming one of the main architects of President Alassane Ouattara’s governance.

In his first speech at the head of the National Assembly, Achi placed his mandate under the sign of humility, listening, and impartiality. Defining himself as “the president of all deputies,” he called for the institution to function smoothly beyond political divides and committed to guaranteeing every elected official a space to speak in the legislative debate, in a spirit of dialogue.

This election comes in a political context largely favourable to the government. With this new victory, the RHDP consolidates its majority in the National Assembly, giving it significant room to advance its legislative agenda. However, it also places important responsibilities on majority lawmakers, particularly regarding youth employment, financial inclusion, the reduction of regional disparities, and adaptation to climate change.

On the economic front, Côte d’Ivoire remains one of the most dynamic economies in West Africa, with favourable medium-term prospects. Growth is expected to reach 6.2% in 2025 and maintain an average of 6.4% until 2027. However, risks remain related to geopolitical instability, climate change, trade tensions, and the evolution of development aid.

According to official forecasts from the Ministry of Planning and Development, reported by the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP), inflation in Côte d’Ivoire is expected to settle at 1.8% in 2025, compared with 3.5% in 2024, marking a clear slowdown in price increases.

Ingrid Haffiny