Côte d’Ivoire has approved a US$152 million loan to fund the first phase of its Digital Acceleration Project (PADCI), aimed at expanding broadband, developing digital skills, and improving access to public services, government officials said on Wednesday.
The funding, equivalent to CFA83.3 billion, was approved during a Council of Ministers meeting and will support initiatives to increase the reach and resilience of broadband internet, strengthen digital governance, and enhance public service delivery across the West African nation.
Authorities said the project will prioritize youth and women for digital skills development, while also providing technical assistance and equipment to establish digital agencies and artificial intelligence governance bodies.
“At the end of the project, this initiative will accelerate the digitization of public services in key sectors, expand broadband connectivity to institutions such as schools, health centers, municipalities, courts, post offices, and regional administrations, and improve access to digital public services for remote and vulnerable populations,” the government said in a statement.
Côte d’Ivoire has already made progress in digitalization. As of December 2025, 232 administrative services were available online, covering civil registration, justice, education, health, and agriculture. PADCI’s first phase aims to complement these efforts by expanding broadband coverage and integrating more citizens into digital public services.
More Read
Despite extensive network coverage, internet penetration remains limited. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2G, 3G, and 4G networks covered 98.9 percent, 98.3 percent, and 93.7 percent of the population in 2023, but many areas still lack reliable connectivity. ITU data estimates that only 40.7 percent of Ivorians had internet access that year.
The government emphasized that the project is part of a broader strategy to leverage digital technology for socio-economic development, bringing public administration closer to citizens while enhancing state revenues.
In addition to infrastructure, PADCI will focus on building advanced and intermediate digital skills, equipping young people and women with the capabilities needed to participate in an increasingly digital economy. Authorities said this approach is intended to create a more inclusive ecosystem for both public and private sector innovation.
Côte d’Ivoire ranks 124th out of 193 countries on the United Nations E-Government Development Index for 2024, with a score of 0.5587 out of 1. The country is above the African average but lags behind the global benchmark. In cybersecurity, the ITU placed Côte d’Ivoire in the third tier out of five, noting that while regulatory and organizational frameworks are adequate, technical capacity, skills development, and international cooperation require strengthening.
Experts said expanding broadband and digital services could unlock significant economic benefits, particularly for remote communities that currently face barriers to accessing essential services. “Broadband expansion and digitized public services can reduce administrative bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and increase transparency,” said Adama Kouassi, a digital economy consultant based in Abidjan.
The project also aligns with the government’s efforts to integrate technology into education, health, and social services, ensuring that citizens can access services efficiently and equitably. By leveraging digital tools, Côte d’Ivoire aims to bridge the urban-rural divide and promote inclusive growth.
PADCI’s first phase is expected to lay the groundwork for subsequent phases that will expand connectivity and digital adoption across additional sectors. Officials said the government will closely monitor implementation to ensure that infrastructure, skills development, and governance initiatives achieve their intended outcomes.
With the new funding, Côte d’Ivoire is poised to accelerate its digital transformation, strengthen economic inclusion, and enhance the delivery of public services to citizens nationwide.
