(Ecofin Agency) - Initially seen at 7.2%, Côte d’Ivoire’s economic growth is now expected to be 1.8% due to the impact of the coronavirus on the economy.

Speaking during the opening of the AfDB annual meetings on August 26, the Ivorian President, Alassane Ouattara (pictured), said the weakest performances will come from Agriculture, construction, transport, and tourism, which are the most affected sectors.

The new growth outlook is close to that envisaged by the “median” scenario prepared by the country’s authorities concerning the impact of Covid-19 on the economy. Growth under this plan was seen at 1.6% of GDP in case the pandemic is controlled at the end of September 2020.

Better forecasts were however made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which sees the Ivorian economic growth at 2.7% for 2020, against 6.9% in 2019.