Côte d’Ivoire has regained its position as West Africa’s most attractive mining jurisdiction in 2025, after losing the top spot to Ghana in 2024, according to the annual survey released on Thursday, Feb. 26 by the Fraser Institute, reported by Ecofin Agency.
Côte d’Ivoire recorded an investment attractiveness score of 60.92 out of 100, up from 55.70 in 2023, which was the last year it led the sub-region.
The survey is based on questionnaires sent to mining executives and covers 68 jurisdictions in 2025.
Each location is evaluated using two key indicators, the Policy Perception Index (PPI) and mineral potential. Côte d’Ivoire improved on both measures compared with 2024, raising its overall score.
Within West Africa, Ghana and Guinea ranked second and third with scores of 55.21 and 52.16. Mali followed with 46.58, while Burkina Faso placed last in the group at 35.29.
The ranking reflects a wider pattern in recent years, as Côte d’Ivoire has often been highlighted for its mining-friendly environment, especially in gold production.
Don’t Miss This:
How Côte D’Ivoire’s Oldest Gold Mine Became Endeavour Mining’s Highest-Producing Asset
At the 2025 Africa Down Under conference, Turaco Gold Managing Director Justin Tremain said there was “no better place in the world” to develop a gold mine than Côte d’Ivoire.
Adam Oehlman, head of African Gold, shared a similar view, noting the pace of gold discoveries in the country. The two companies are currently developing the Afema and Didievi gold projects.
Despite leading West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire does not rank first on the continent. It stands fifth in Africa and 47th globally. As in previous years, Botswana and Morocco lead the African rankings in 2025, followed by Zambia and Tanzania.
Botswana also returned to the global top 10, ranking seventh after falling out in 2024. Overall, Africa’s performance remains mixed, with four jurisdictions listed among the bottom 10 worldwide.
Globally, the U.S. state of Nevada ranked as the most attractive mining jurisdiction.
Although the Fraser Institute’s survey is widely seen as a key reference in the mining industry, its results should be viewed carefully.
The findings are based on the opinions of a limited group of industry participants and tend to favor investor-friendly regulatory systems, which may not fully reflect the broader policy or social realities in each jurisdiction.
Don’t Miss This:
China’s Changan Partners With Yango To Launch Innovative Mobility In Côte D’Ivoire And West Africa
Image Credit: Informanté
