On the occasion of World Telecommunication, ICT and Information Society Day, celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, reaffirmed Côte d'Ivoire's technological ambitions. In his televised address, he outlined a nation determined to build a resilient, inclusive, and sovereign digital society.

This year's theme, "Vital Digital Links: Building Resilience in a Connected World," directly reflects Ivorian priorities. For the government, digital technology is no longer simply a tool, but a major strategic lever for ensuring the continuity of essential services such as healthcare, education, and the management of critical infrastructure.

Digital technology at the heart of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan

Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, digital transformation has become the cross-cutting driver of the national economy. It also features prominently in the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (PND) as a high-priority strategic sector.

To realize this vision, the government roadmap relies on a solid strategy combining existing achievements and new directions:

1. The fundamental pillars: Building connected and resilient infrastructures, strengthening cybersecurity (and digital trust) and training populations in digital skills.
2. The new strategic directions: Digitalization of public administration, revitalization of the innovation ecosystem, deployment of citizen-centric Artificial Intelligence (AI), and boosting e-commerce through the modernization of postal services.

Concrete projects to bridge the digital divide

To transform these ambitions into concrete realities, the minister highlighted several large-scale projects already underway:

Project / Initiative	Targeted objective	Due date
Rural connectivity	To open up all localities with more than 800 inhabitants.	2030
5G rollout	Gradually cover cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants.	In progress
Satellite internet	Granting licenses to serve the most isolated areas.	In progress
Smartphone accessibility	Increase smartphone penetration rates from 40% to 80% .	End of 2027
National roaming	To guarantee network continuity across the entire territory, regardless of the operator.	In progress

The final word: By emphasizing the cross-cutting nature of this transition, Djibril Ouattara reiterated the State's firm commitment to providing equitable access to technological opportunities for every citizen, positioning Côte d'Ivoire as an African model of sustainable digital development.