• Connectivity initiative targets over 1,000 education and healthcare institutions

• Supports AI strategy and digital skills development in key public sectors

• Côte d’Ivoire ranks 3rd in Africa for fiber optic infrastructure in 2024

Côte d’Ivoire plans to connect more than 1,000 secondary schools and healthcare facilities to high-speed internet by the end of 2025. The initiative was announced on May 19, 2025, by Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalisation, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, during the opening of the national artificial intelligence conference.

The project is designed to modernize public services and enhance digital capabilities across priority sectors. In schools, high-speed connectivity will support online learning and improve training in digital skills. In healthcare centers, it will enable services such as assisted diagnosis, telemedicine, and digitized patient records.

This initiative is part of a broader digital transformation framework that includes the National Rural Connectivity Program (PNCR), the Digital Acceleration Program, and the Support Project for Strengthening Electronic Administration (PARAE). These programs aim to strengthen digital infrastructure and promote social inclusion, particularly in underserved rural areas.

The plan also aligns with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA), introduced in March 2025. The strategy aims to leverage AI for inclusive and ethical development, with practical applications grounded in improved internet access. With internet penetration now exceeding 40%, connecting public institutions is considered essential for operationalizing AI use cases nationwide.

If successful, the initiative will significantly improve public service delivery and digital literacy. It could reach a substantial share of the 3,590 secondary schools recorded in 2024. Enhanced connectivity in healthcare facilities is expected to improve access to medical services and reduce geographic barriers to care.

As of 2025, Côte d’Ivoire has deployed 5,207 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure out of a 7,000-kilometer target under its National High-Speed Network (RNHD) project. The country currently ranks third in Africa for fiber optic development, according to the 2024 Fiber Development Index by the WBBA and Omdia.