Pursuing a paperless future: Insights from Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation leader on their technological aspirations
Côte d'Ivoire, a West African nation known for its vibrant culture and economic growth, is stepping into the digital age with a bold and ambitious strategy. The nation's new digital strategy, spanning from 2026 to 2030, aims to position Côte d'Ivoire as a regional digital hub, enhancing digital governance, expanding broadband infrastructure, promoting innovation ecosystems, and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive economic growth and inclusiveness.
Karen Diallo, the Director of Digital Transformation in Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Digital Economy, leads the charge in this digital transformation journey. Diallo's team is tasked with harmonizing digital efforts across ministries, preventing duplication, and ensuring effective use of funds, talent, and timelines.
The strategy is built on several key pillars. Interoperability and Unified Public Service Access are at the heart of the strategy, with the government creating a system that provides citizens with unified access to all public services via a single platform, simplifying interactions with government services.
Another crucial aspect is the National Digital ID, which aims to expand and deepen the digital identity framework to facilitate access to services and financial inclusion. A centralized Access Gateway is also being launched, where citizens can request any public document or information from one place.
Investment in AI is a significant component of the strategy, with the AI strategy structured around three pillars: inclusiveness, investment, and governance. Priority sectors include health, education, and agriculture, with efforts to develop locally viable, culturally adapted AI solutions. A national AI agency will be established to coordinate AI projects.
Support for local startups and the tech ecosystem is another focus area. The strategy emphasizes fostering innovation by involving local startups, particularly in public procurement processes, to boost the digital economy and job creation. CI20, a coalition of 20 leading local startups, has been created to drive sector innovation in fintech, healthtech, and more.
To further support startups, Côte d'Ivoire has launched IvorTech, a national innovation hub. IvorTech helps startups develop business capabilities, connect with funding opportunities, and access critical networks. The nation has also passed a new startup law to make it easier for early-stage companies to access government contracts.
Rural connectivity is another key aspect of the strategy, ensuring digital services reach populations outside major cities by improving infrastructure and broadband access. The vision of a paperless public sector by 2030 aims to enhance government efficiency and service delivery.
The strategy's long-term vision is to achieve a fully paperless government by digitising everything. The government is building out infrastructure like a national data center and backend systems for seamless communication between government departments and digital IDs for citizens.
Côte d'Ivoire's digital strategy is a testament to the nation's commitment to embracing the digital age. The strategy aims to overcome the misconception that citizens are resistant to change, focusing instead on overcoming inertia. The nation invites investors to come and help build the digital future, as it sets its sights on becoming a regional digital hub.
On October 15-16, the Moonshot event in Lagos invites global tech community members to join Africa's top founders, creatives, and tech leaders for 2 days of keynotes, mixers, and future-forward ideas. It serves as a platform for showcasing the progress and potential of Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation journey.
[1] Digital Strategy for 2026–2030, Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Digital Economy [2] AI Strategy for Côte d'Ivoire, Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Digital Economy [3] Startup Law, Côte d'Ivoire's Parliament [4] IvorTech, Côte d'Ivoire's National Innovation Hub
- Côte d'Ivoire's digital strategy, spanning from 2026 to 2030, includes integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inspire innovation and drive economic growth, with a focus on sectors like fintech and healthtech.
- To foster innovation and boost the digital economy, Côte d'Ivoire is encouraging the involvement of local startups, particularly in public procurement processes, and has created a coalition, CI20, of 20 leading local startups to drive sector innovation.
- To support these startups, Côte d'Ivoire has launched IvorTech, a national innovation hub, which helps startups develop business capabilities, connect with funding opportunities, and access critical networks.
- The government's digital strategy also aims to expand and deepen the digital identity framework to facilitate access to services and financial inclusion, with a centralized Access Gateway and a National Digital ID system.
