Côte d’Ivoire climbs 4% in global digital economy ranking

Ivory Coast’s digital leap reflects strategic investments

Ivory Coast has marked a significant stride in digital transformation, as evidenced by its 4% rise in the 2026 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ICT Development Index. The country’s national score improved from 69.5 in 2025 to 72 in 2026, underscoring the tangible results of sustained efforts in infrastructure and market adoption.

This advancement aligns with the country’s broader economic vision, particularly the National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Digital Development Strategy. Both initiatives prioritize digitalization and telecom infrastructure modernization as critical drivers for economic growth and competitiveness.

Regional standing strengthens Ivory Coast’s digital profile

On the continental stage, Ivory Coast solidifies its position among Africa’s digital leaders. With a score of 72 points, the country ranks 15th in Africa—well above the continent’s average of 59 points. This performance highlights the nation’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through comprehensive and inclusive policies.

The ITU’s evaluation framework rests on two core pillars: Universal Connectivity and Meaningful Connectivity. The first assesses foundational digital adoption, including household internet access, individual internet usage, and active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Ivory Coast achieved a score of 64.9 here—far surpassing Africa’s average of 38.1.

The second pillar, Meaningful Connectivity, evaluates operational factors such as mobile network coverage, data traffic per subscription, device ownership, and the affordability of digital services. Ivory Coast scored 79 points in this category, outpacing the regional average of 65.

Infrastructure and affordability drive digital inclusion

Ivory Coast’s digital success is anchored in robust infrastructure and cost-effective access. Mobile broadband networks—including 3G and 4G/LTE—now cover 98% and 90% of the population, respectively. Affordability remains a key strength, with mobile data and voice plans costing just 1.8% of the national gross income per capita, yielding a financial accessibility index of 95.8 out of 100. Fixed broadband plans are similarly priced at 4.8% of gross income, achieving an accessibility score of 87.

Market penetration reflects these gains: 73.1% of individuals own a mobile phone, 70.8% actively use the internet, and 58.7% of households have home internet access. Active mobile broadband subscriptions have reached 84.1 per 100 inhabitants, signaling widespread connectivity.

Digital usage holds room for growth

While Ivory Coast excels in access and affordability, opportunities remain in deepening digital usage. Average mobile broadband data consumption stands at 32.7 gigabytes per subscription, translating to a traffic score of 51.5. Fixed broadband usage averages 893.9 gigabytes per subscription, with a normalized score of 73.7. These figures suggest that while basic connectivity is well-established, higher bandwidth consumption and advanced digital services present untapped potential for future development.

Top performers and Ivory Coast’s competitive edge

Ivory Coast’s 72-point score places it among Africa’s digital frontrunners. The continental top five includes Morocco (89.2), Mauritius (89.1), Algeria (87.8), South Africa (86.4), and Seychelles (84.4). The top 10 is rounded out by Tunisia (80.1), Cape Verde (79.8), Egypt (79.6), Eswatini (78.9), and Botswana (77.7). Following closely are Gabon (76.2), Ghana (75.6), Senegal (72.8), Namibia (72.2), and Ivory Coast, which closes the top 15.