• Government spent CFA861 bln ($1.5 bln) on debt service in first half of 2025
• Debt costs made up 24.4% of tax revenue and 10.4% of total public resources
• IMF projects public debt at 58.1% of GDP in 2025, with a moderate risk level

In the first half of 2025, Côte d’Ivoire spent CFA861 billion (about $1.5 billion) on debt service, according to figures from the Directorate General of Budget and Finance presented at the Council of Ministers.

This amount accounted for 10.4% of total public resources mobilized during the period and 24.4% of tax revenue collected between January and June. While CFA52.4 billion higher than in the first half of 2024, it was CFA18.4 billion below initial forecasts.

External debt represented the largest share, with CFA536.7 billion, or 62.3% of the total debt service. That figure equaled 15.2% of tax revenue and 6.5% of public resources for the period. Domestic debt accounted for CFA324.3 billion.

The IMF projects Côte d’Ivoire’s public debt at 58.1% of GDP in 2025, keeping the country in the “moderate” risk category. Despite election-year pressures that typically raise spending and borrowing, the institution expects the budget deficit to narrow to 3% of GDP, in line with the WAEMU convergence ceiling.