• The World Bank approved a $225 million program to strengthen healthcare, nutrition and early childhood development in Ivory Coast.
• The program includes the rollout of a national digital health platform to improve system efficiency and support universal health coverage.
• Authorities expect the initiative to create nearly 385,000 jobs, including about 17,000 direct positions in the health sector.

The World Bank approved a $225 million financing program for Ivory Coast to improve healthcare, nutrition and early childhood development services, particularly for women, children and vulnerable households.

The institution announced the funding in a statement published on Thursday, April 30. The program marks the second phase of a broader health, nutrition and early childhood development initiative.

The project will focus on improving the quality of care and expanding access to services. Authorities also aim to strengthen universal health coverage through a larger network of qualified healthcare professionals, improved availability of essential medical supplies and upgraded health infrastructure.

In addition, the program will introduce a national digital health platform to improve the efficiency of the healthcare system.

“It is a crucial transformation (...) By building a resilient health system and deploying innovative digital solutions, we are laying the foundations for stronger human capital, promoting economic opportunities and ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life,” said Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, the World Bank’s division director for Ivory Coast, Benin, Guinea and Togo.

Moreover, the World Bank expects the program to benefit millions of Ivorians directly and create nearly 385,000 jobs.

The initiative should generate around 17,000 direct jobs through the training and deployment of healthcare professionals, community nutrition workers and digital health system operators. Improved health outcomes and higher productivity should also support nearly 368,000 indirect jobs.

Meanwhile, the financing aligns with the Ivorian government’s efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, equity and quality while strengthening the resilience of the national health system under the 2026–2030 National Health Development Plan.

Under the previous 2021–2025 health development plan, Ivory Coast aimed to reduce maternal mortality to 377 deaths per 100,000 births by 2025 from 614 deaths per 100,000 births in 2020.

However, data released by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene on April 25 showed that the maternal mortality rate stood at an estimated 385 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021.

The earlier plan also targeted an increase in life expectancy to 60 years in 2025 from 57 years in 2020.

Looking ahead, the World Bank estimates that more than 1.2 million people enrolled in universal health coverage, including informal workers and farmers exposed to climate shocks, will use healthcare services annually by 2028.

This article was initially published in French by Lydie Mobio

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum