Ivory Coast: Over 446 million USD invested in digital technology in 2024, a driver of modernization and growth.
Digital technology is more than ever establishing itself as the foundation for the structural transformation of the Ivorian economy and a lever for accelerated growth. In 2024, Côte d'Ivoire injected over 250 billion FCFA (approximately 446.7 million USD) into the development of its digital ecosystem, according to Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, who presented this assessment during the first edition of the Ivoire Tech Forum, held on July 10 in Abidjan.
These massive investments have led to the creation of 2,965 direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs, illustrating the structuring role of digital technology in the dynamics of the national economy. Among the key indicators of this dynamic, the number of mobile phone subscribers has surpassed 58.7 million, establishing a penetration rate of 185%, one of the highest in Africa. This expansion has been accompanied by a marked increase in internet access and a sustained growth in mobile money services, facilitated by a close partnership between the state and telecom operators, committed to deploying digital infrastructure across the country.
These advancements are part of the implementation of the National Digital Development Strategy 2021–2025, which is based on 32 priority reforms and a total budget of 2,000 billion FCFA (approximately 3.3 billion USD) in investments to be mobilized. For the 2024 fiscal year, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization has received a budget of 55.6 billion FCFA, along with off-budget funding reflecting the scale of the ambitions held by the state.
Despite these notable progress, several major challenges remain: the coverage of the remaining 550 white zones is expected by the end of 2025, a necessary condition for complete digital inclusion. Additional priorities include reducing the cost of access to digital services, modernizing technical training, strengthening funding for local innovation, as well as preserving digital sovereignty and protecting rights in the digital space.
According to the World Bank, the digital sector could generate 6 to 7 percentage points of GDP growth, with an estimated economic contribution of 5.5 billion USD by 2025, and up to 20 billion USD by 2050, provided that investments and reforms are maintained and amplified.
With over 446 million USD invested in a single year, Côte d'Ivoire is asserting its desire to position itself as a regional digital hub, combining public efficiency, inclusion, innovation, and technological sovereignty. A strategic bet on the future that places digital technology at the heart of the Ivorian development model.
Source: Agence ecofin, MEPD Web Portal Editorial Team
