•  Côte d’Ivoire to introduce digital education in early schooling from 2025-2026

• Goal is to build digital skills early and align with future job needs

• Challenges include teacher training and rural infrastructure gaps

Côte d’Ivoire plans to integrate digital education into its preschool and primary curricula starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Mariatou Koné, the Minister of National Education and Literacy, made this announcement on Monday, June 30, in Abidjan, following a working session with Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank Vice President for West and Central Africa.

This reform will introduce Information and Communication Technologies in Education (ICTE) from the earliest stages of schooling. The initiative stems from recommendations made at the national education summit (EGENA) and will receive both technical and financial support from the World Bank. Its primary goal is to expose children to digital tools early, fostering digital citizenship and equipping students with essential skills for the future.

The move is part of Côte d’Ivoire's broader strategy to modernize its education system. The African Development Bank estimates that approximately 230 million jobs across Africa will require some level of digital competency by 2030. Through this initiative, the Ivorian government aims to prepare its youth for this evolving job market.

Significant challenges remain for implementation. These include training preschool and primary teachers in digital tools, equipping schools with necessary hardware, and ensuring reliable access to electricity and internet, especially in rural areas. The integration of digital education must also align with existing teaching methods and local contexts to prevent any widening of educational disparities.

Written in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Translated and adapted into English by Mouka Mezonlin