Ivory Coast tilts economy from farming to natural resources

ABIDJAN, July 18 (AFP): The discovery of huge deposits of natural resources including oil, gas and gold in the Ivory Coast is pushing the country's economy in a new direction as it explores its underground potential.

Over the last three years, the West African country-traditionally focused on agriculture, in particular cocoa-has leaned into a new role as an oil and gas producer.

Three discoveries of oil deposits were made in September 2021, July 2022 and February this year, revealing huge reserves estimated at six billion barrels. The discoveries give the country the potential to become a net exporter by the end of the decade.

The first deposit, called Whale, is already up and running, operated by Italian company Eni.