Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation dominated the Africa Investment Forum 2025 in Rabat, with a national roadmap unveiled to accelerate connectivity and growth.
The plan targets a larger digital share of GDP, sustained rural coverage through the National Rural Connectivity Programme, and nationwide reach via Direct to Device satellite links.
Officials from Guinea and Mauritania joined Côte d’Ivoire’s delegation, alongside African Development Bank experts and global telecom stakeholders.
Côte d’Ivoire digital transformation: What You Need to Know
- Targets: 6–8% of GDP by 2028, rural funding through the National Rural Connectivity Programme, and Direct to Device satellite coverage for hard-to-reach areas.
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Côte d’Ivoire digital transformation: Roadmap and targets
Presenting in Rabat on 26 November, senior official Kalil Ibrahim Konaté outlined a national plan that ties investment to measurable outcomes.
Côte d’Ivoire’s African Development Bank Governor, Minister Nialé Kaba, attended the session, which positioned Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation as a regional priority linked to financing and delivery milestones under the Africa Investment Forum 2025.
GDP targets anchored in infrastructure expansion
The government aims to lift the digital sector’s share of GDP to 6–8% by 2028, rising to 12–15% thereafter. Core infrastructure expansion is the lever.
The plan connects Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation to job creation, service digitisation, and innovation through resilient broadband, data centre capacity, and extended mobile reach.
National Rural Connectivity Programme: funding and timelines
The National Rural Connectivity Programme sits at the centre of Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation. The programme allocates more than 28 billion CFA francs for 2024 to 2025, followed by 33 billion CFA francs for 2026 to 2027.
Funding will close coverage gaps and extend essential digital services in underserved communities through staged deployments.
Key figures and milestones
- 2024 to 2025: Over 28 billion CFA francs directed to rural coverage, targeting immediate service gaps.
- 2026 to 2027: An additional 33 billion CFA francs for deeper reach and network resilience.
- Expected outcomes: Broader access to mobile and digital services in areas beyond reliable fixed or cellular networks.
Direct to Device satellite for nationwide reach
The roadmap adopts Direct to Device satellite connectivity so compatible handsets can link directly to low Earth orbit satellites. A ground gateway will relay traffic to carrier networks to support seamless national coverage.
This approach advances Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation by addressing last-mile constraints where terrestrial rollout is complex or uneconomic. For a broader regional outlook on emerging radio access, see 5G in Africa 2025.
Energy backbone supports scale
Konaté cited the country’s power grid as a key enabler for digital expansion. Stable electricity underpins data centres, mobile base stations, and satellite gateways as traffic grows.
The energy foundation strengthens Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation by supporting performance, uptime, and geographical scale.
Regional and institutional partnerships
The Africa Investment Forum 2025 convened West African officials, the AfDB, and industry leaders to align policy, expertise, and capital. The platform advanced Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation by signalling coordinated investment, risk sharing, and timelines tied to infrastructure outputs.
Related cross-border infrastructure priorities continue to rise across the continent, as explored in African digital infrastructure receives a boost.
Security and resilience considerations
Cybersecurity remains a parallel priority as networks expand. For sector risks and practices, see analyses on 5G cybersecurity risks and opportunities, reports of telecom-focused cyber espionage, and strategies such as zero trust for network security.
Rural builds can draw lessons from programmes like Nigeria’s rural connectivity initiatives.
Implications for Côte d’Ivoire digital transformation
Advantages
Côte d’Ivoire digital transformation offers investors clear policy signals, time-bound funding, and defined outputs. Expanded national coverage grows addressable markets for mobile services, satellite operators, fintech, and digital content.
Rural inclusion can improve productivity in agriculture, education, and healthcare, while Direct to Device links reduce barriers where fibre or towers are slow to deploy.
Challenges
Execution risks include multi-year coordination, complex terrain, and affordability constraints for end users. Integrating satellite and terrestrial systems requires spectrum planning, rigorous gateway operations, and vendor diversity.
Workforce skills, cybersecurity posture, and sustained operational budgets will determine whether Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation meets its projected GDP impact.
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Conclusion
Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation sets measurable goals, targets funding where gaps persist, and introduces Direct to Device coverage to extend reach.
Backed by energy stability and regional partnerships under the Africa Investment Forum 2025, the programme links infrastructure delivery to economic outcomes.
If execution remains on track, Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation can expand inclusion, strengthen resilience, and position the economy for sustained digital growth.
Questions Worth Answering
Who presented the strategy at the forum?
- Kalil Ibrahim Konaté delivered the plan in Rabat, joined by officials from Guinea and Mauritania, AfDB experts, and global telecom stakeholders.
What GDP targets were set for the digital sector?
- The government targets a 6–8% contribution by 2028, rising to 12–15% in subsequent years as infrastructure matures.
What is driving Côte d’Ivoire’s digital transformation?
- Expansion of core networks, the National Rural Connectivity Programme, and the Direct to Device satellite for remote coverage.
How will rural communities benefit?
- Staged funding of more than 61 billion CFA francs will extend essential mobile and digital services to underserved areas.
What role will the Direct to Device satellite play?
- It enables compatible devices to connect directly to low Earth orbit satellites, with a ground gateway integrating traffic into carrier networks.
What is the significance of the Africa Investment Forum 2025?
- It aligns policy, finance, and industry partners to support the delivery of the country’s digital roadmap.
Is cybersecurity part of the plan?
- Security was not detailed during the session. It remains a parallel priority for national-scale connectivity and service delivery.
About African Development Bank (AfDB)
The African Development Bank is a multilateral institution that finances economic development and social progress across Africa. It provides concessional funding and technical expertise to member countries.
AfDB supports infrastructure programmes that drive inclusive growth, including digital connectivity, energy, and transport. Its project preparation and risk mitigation tools unlock private capital.
At the Africa Investment Forum 2025, AfDB experts engaged stakeholders on digital infrastructure priorities and investment alignment for Côte d’Ivoire and the wider region.
About Kalil Ibrahim Konaté
Kalil Ibrahim Konaté is a senior government official who presented Côte d’Ivoire’s national digital roadmap in Rabat. His briefing connected policy to delivery timelines.
Konaté outlined targets for GDP contribution and the funding tranches for the National Rural Connectivity Programme, with an emphasis on rural inclusion.
He expressed confidence that long-term planning, partnerships, and energy stability will sustain progress and outcomes.
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