• Côte d'Ivoire, ATU sign telecom access deal at SUTEL 2025

• Partnership targets rural connectivity, best practice exchange

• Côte d'Ivoire ranks top three in African fiber infrastructure
  

Côte d'Ivoire's National Agency for Universal Telecommunications and ICT Service (ANSUT) signed a memorandum of understanding with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) on Thursday, August 28, during the SUTEL 2025 forum in Abidjan. The partnership aims to enhance cooperation among national universal service funds, promote the exchange of best practices, and expand telecommunications access in rural and isolated areas.

Gilles Thierry Beugré, ANSUT's Director General, said the agreement "marks the beginning of a connected Africa where we can evaluate the concrete impact on every village and community." ATU Secretary General John Omo echoed this enthusiasm, stating the partnership will accelerate the implementation of tangible solutions to improve connectivity for remote populations.

This collaboration builds on Côte d'Ivoire's existing ambitious digital initiatives. The ongoing presidential program "Nos villages connectés (Our Connected Villages)" seeks to link over 500 rural localities to digital services, including distance education, telemedicine, and e-commerce. ANSUT has already deployed more than 5,207 kilometers of fiber optic cable as part of the national network. These investments have positioned Côte d'Ivoire among the top three African countries in fiber infrastructure, according to the "Fiber Development Index analysis 2024" by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) and UK-based research firm Omdia.

Recent data shows that while nearly 500 million Africans use mobile internet, representing about 40% of the total population, approximately 800 million people remain digitally excluded. This underscores the urgent need for universal connectivity.

By partnering with the ATU, Côte d'Ivoire hopes to not only advance its own digital inclusion agenda but also to serve as a continental model for universal service. The partnership could help millions of Africans access essential digital services, strengthen socio-economic inclusion, and lay the foundation for a more connected and competitive Africa on the global stage.

Samira Njoya