Côte d’Ivoire is expanding its gold production as the world’s largest cocoa producer looks to diversify its economy.
The West African country has opened more gold mining sites and increased output significantly over the past decade.
Between 2015 and 2024, the number of operational gold sites increased from four to 13.
During the same period, gold production rose from 23.54 tonnes to more than 59 tonnes.
Now, Côte d’Ivoire aims to strengthen its position among West Africa’s major gold producers.
Côte d’Ivoire gold production rises
Côte d’Ivoire has traditionally relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cocoa.
However, the government has increasingly focused on mining as another source of national revenue.
Gold has become an important part of that strategy.
New mining projects have helped increase production across the country.
The Lafigué gold mine, operated by Endeavour Mining, is among the projects expected to support further growth.
Industry projections cited by Business Insider Africa put Côte d’Ivoire’s production at around 62 tonnes following the project’s launch.
Country targets stronger regional position
Côte d’Ivoire is seeking to close the gap with other major West African gold producers.
Mali and Burkina Faso currently produce more gold than Côte d’Ivoire.
Figures cited by La Nouvelle Tribune put Burkina Faso’s 2025 production at 94 tonnes and Mali’s at 82.9 tonnes.
Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, produced about 59.2 tonnes.
The country has set longer-term ambitions to strengthen its position in the regional gold industry.
Mali and Burkina Faso remain major producers
Gold is also an important source of revenue for neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Both countries have expanded their mining sectors in recent years.
Burkina Faso has granted mining licences to several international companies.
Meanwhile, Mali has moved to increase domestic processing.
In 2025, Mali began construction of a gold refinery near Bamako in partnership with Russia’s Yadran Group.
The project is designed to give Mali greater capacity to refine gold domestically rather than sending it abroad for processing.
Ghana leads African gold production
Ghana remains Africa’s largest gold producer, according to figures cited by the World Gold Council.
The country produced 187.3 tonnes of gold in the figures cited by the report.
Globally, China remained the largest producer with 384.3 tonnes.
Russia followed with 345 tonnes, while Australia produced 293.2 tonnes.
Canada and Peru were also among the world’s largest producers.
Côte d’Ivoire produced 59.2 tonnes, placing it well below the world’s biggest gold-producing countries.
Mining grows alongside cocoa industry
Cocoa remains central to Côte d’Ivoire’s economy.
However, the expansion of gold mining gives the country another source of exports and government revenue.
The rise from four operational gold sites in 2015 to 13 in 2024 shows how quickly the industry has expanded.
Further mining projects could increase Côte d’Ivoire’s gold production in the coming years as the country seeks a more diversified economy.