Annual average of 45 billion FCFA (2010-2019), drop of -60 % in 2020, rebound up to 236,9 billion in 2023, then decline to 182,7 billion in 2024 (-22,9 %).
After a decade of relative stability, imports from Iran and the Gulf countries have changed in scale. According to the National Institute of Statistics, between 2010 and 2019, spending remained around 45 billion FCFA per year, reflecting regular flows without major disruptions. The break occurred in 2020: under the effect of logistical disruptions and the contraction in demand linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bill dropped by 60 % in one year.
The decline was short-lived. From 2021, the recovery took hold and intensified, driven by the restart of trade and the increase in needs for imported inputs. The dynamic culminated in 2023, with a peak of 236,9 billion FCFA, an unprecedented level over the observed period. This acceleration reflects both a post-crisis catch-up and a strengthening of dependencies on certain strategic products.
In 2024, an adjustment took place: imports fell by 22,9 % to reach 182,7 billion FCFA. This reflux, without erasing the underlying upward trend, suggests a rebalancing of volumes and prices. In the medium term, recent volatility calls for diversifying supply sources and better cushioning external shocks.
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