The first oil palm plantations in Ivory Coast date back to colonial times. Development was at that time privately driven by European companies. Then a period of rapid expansion followed, from 1963 to 1995, planned by the Ivorian government which received financial assistance from the European Community and international institutions. Privatization occurred under the pressure of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) through Structural Adjustment Programs, which entailed a difficult period of reorganization. But after several years, stakeholders succeeded in setting up an interprofessional association where all interests are represented. Expansion resumed, mainly driven by downstream refiners and soap manufacturers. The sector is now facing new challenges: there is a need to increase the output of raw material, namely the FFB (Fresh Fruit Bunches), through a better productivity, especially in smallholdings, and the development of new estates. Suggestions are made for a new policy which takes into consideration environmental and social constraints to promote sustainable development.