Ivory Coast: Tidjane Thiam named PDCI-RDA presidential candidate

The party has selected Tidjane Thiam as its candidate for the 2025 presidential race. Running unopposed for the nomination, Thiam was formally endorsed on Thursday, April 17, 2025, during a nationwide electoral convention. The former minister received an overwhelming 99.5% of the votes cast.

Currently outside the country, Thiam is now expected in Abidjan, where his supporters await him to begin preparations for the presidential campaign. The election will feature former president Laurent Gbagbo, while incumbent president Alassane Ouattara has yet to clarify whether he intends to seek another term.

A banker by profession, the 63-year-old Thiam now faces the task of rallying broad support around his candidacy. Particular attention will be given to uniting figures like former minister and prominent businessman Jean-Louis Billon, who ultimately withdrew from the party primary.