Côte d'Ivoire Targets West African Gold Lead by 2035
Côte d'Ivoire aims to surpass Mali and Burkina Faso in gold output by 2035, despite the latter's strong Russian partnerships.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire expanded gold sites from four to thirteen between 2015 and 2024, increasing output to over 59 tonnes.
- Mali and Burkina Faso have increased Russian mining partnerships, with gold comprising up to 80% of Mali's exports.
- China leads global gold production at 384.3 tonnes, far ahead of African leaders like Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Côte d'Ivoire is aggressively expanding its gold mining sector to diversify national revenue beyond cocoa, the world's largest producer of which. The country has increased its operational gold sites from four in 2015 to thirteen in 2024, driving total output from 23.54 tonnes to over 59 tonnes.
Business Insider Africa reports that this growth positions the West African nation to challenge regional rivals. While Côte d'Ivoire currently ranks 20th globally with 59.2 tonnes, it aims to overtake Burkina Faso and Mali, which produced 82.9 and 94 tonnes respectively in 2025, by 2035.
Lafigué Project Boosts Production Capacity
The launch of Endeavour Mining’s Lafigué mine is projected to raise Ivorian production to approximately 62 tonnes. This expansion is critical for the country to close the gap with its neighbors, who have significantly higher outputs despite smaller operational footprints.
Côte d'Ivoire's strategy focuses on increasing domestic extraction to capture more value from its mineral resources. The shift from four to thirteen sites indicates a structural change in the national economy, reducing reliance on agricultural exports and increasing state revenue from mining.
Russian Partnerships Shape Regional Rivals
Mali and Burkina Faso have deepened ties with Russia following military coups, cutting links with Western partners. In Burkina Faso, the government granted Russian firm Nordgold a license for the Niou site, covering 52.8 square kilometers with an expected output exceeding 20.2 tonnes over eight years.
The Niou project is estimated to contribute 51 billion CFA francs to the state, with gold accounting for roughly 14% of national revenues. In Mali, where gold comprises nearly 80% of export value, authorities are building a 200-ton refinery with Russia's Yadran Group to process ore domestically rather than exporting raw materials.
Global Leaders Maintain Production Dominance
Global gold production remains dominated by China, Russia, Australia, Canada, and Peru. China leads with 384.3 tonnes, followed by Russia at 345 tonnes and Australia at 293.2 tonnes. These nations significantly outproduce African leaders, with Ghana ranking sixth at 187.3 tonnes.
Côte d'Ivoire's target of 62 tonnes places it well behind these global giants, but the expansion reflects a broader trend of African nations seeking to maximize mineral value. The competition is no longer just about extraction volume but about capturing downstream economic benefits.
