Jean-Louis Billon, presidential candidate for the Democratic Congress (CODE), has called for a comprehensive reform of the West African CFA franc, which he describes as “rigid” and overly tied to the Euro.
“The currency issue is too serious to be handled lightly,” Billon said on Sunday, October 19, 2025, during an interview on national broadcaster RTI, where he outlined his economic and educational vision for Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the former minister, while the CFA franc’s link to the Euro facilitates payments for energy imports, it hampers the competitiveness of Ivorian exports compared to countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. “Our currency needs to be more flexible and convertible,” he emphasized on RTI’s political program Face aux électeurs.
Billon sees the planned Eco currency as a “unique opportunity” to address the CFA franc’s shortcomings while preserving its strengths. “The Eco must inspire confidence, remain competitive, and be anchored in a broader economic area,” he argued.
Beyond monetary issues, Billon turned to education, lamenting what he sees as decades of stagnation in the school system. “There’s little difference between the school I attended in 1975 and today’s,” he remarked, citing outdated infrastructure, the absence of university libraries, and limited internet access.
He proposed a structural reform of the education system, developed collaboratively with key stakeholders and financed through better public financial management. “The savings from initial reforms will go to national education and healthcare,” he pledged.
Billon’s program also includes early computer literacy from primary school and a curriculum better connected to the job market to prepare young Ivorians for employment opportunities.
Expressing solidarity with teachers, he vowed to improve salaries and working conditions. “I don’t understand why there’s so much debate over paying bonuses to teachers,” he said, stressing that those entrusted with educating the nation’s children deserve better pay, facilities, and tools.
By focusing on monetary reform, education, and social welfare, Jean-Louis Billon positions himself as a pragmatic candidate aiming to modernize Côte d’Ivoire’s key development sectors.
The presidential campaign, running from October 10 to 23, features Billon alongside candidates Alassane Ouattara, Ahoua Don Mello, Simone Gbagbo, and Henriette Lagou.
