The Ivory Coast has achieved significant strides in its digital economy, as revealed by the 2026 edition of the ICT Development Index (IDI) compiled by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Over the past year, the country strengthened its digital footprint, boosting its national score from 69.5 points in 2025 to 72 points in 2026—a growth of approximately 4%.

This upward trend reflects the tangible outcomes of sustained investments in infrastructure and market adoption. It aligns perfectly with the strategic objectives outlined in the National Development Plan (PND) and the National Digital Development Strategy, which position digital transformation and modernized telecom infrastructure as key drivers of economic growth.

Regionally, the Ivory Coast is solidifying its position among Africa’s digital leaders. With a score of 72 points, the country ranks 15th on the continent, far exceeding the African average of 59 points.

Key pillars driving Ivory Coast’s digital progress

To grasp the factors behind this performance, it’s essential to examine the two core components of the ITU’s evaluation framework. The first, the Universal Connectivity pillar, assesses foundational digital adoption metrics, including household internet access, individual internet usage, and the number of active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. On this front, the Ivory Coast achieved a score of 64.9 points—well above the African average of 38.1 points.

The second pillar, Meaningful Connectivity, evaluates operational factors such as mobile network coverage, fixed and mobile data traffic per subscription, device ownership, and the affordability of service plans. Here, the Ivory Coast secured a strong score of 79 points, surpassing the regional African average of 65 points.

One of the country’s standout achievements is its broadband mobile network coverage, with 3G and 4G/LTE networks reaching 98% and 90% of the population, respectively. Additionally, the cost of mobile data and voice plans remains highly affordable, accounting for just 1.8% of the national gross income (GNI) per capita—translating to a financial accessibility index of 95.8 out of 100. Fixed broadband plans are similarly priced at 4.8% of GNI per capita, yielding an accessibility index of 87 points.

Market penetration figures further underscore the country’s digital momentum: 73.1% of individuals own a mobile phone, while 70.8% actively use the internet. Meanwhile, 58.7% of households have home internet access, and active mobile broadband subscriptions now stand at 84.1 per 100 inhabitants.

Opportunities for deeper digital engagement

Despite these advancements, there remains room for improvement in capital allocation and user engagement. For instance, mobile high-speed data consumption averages 32.7 gigabytes per subscription, yielding a traffic score of 51.5 points. Similarly, fixed high-speed broadband traffic reaches 893.9 gigabytes per subscription, translating to a normalized score of 73.7 points. While basic connectivity and access are now firmly established, there is significant potential for growth in advanced digital consumption and high-bandwidth utilization.

Regional digital rankings: Ivory Coast among Africa’s leaders

The continental digital landscape is dominated by Morocco (89.2 points), Mauritius (89.1 points), Algeria (87.8 points), South Africa (86.4 points), and the Seychelles (84.4 points). Rounding out the top 10 are Tunisia (80.1 points), Cabo Verde (79.8 points), Egypt (79.6 points), Eswatini (78.9 points), and Botswana (77.7 points). Following this elite group, the Ivory Coast shares the 15th spot with Gabon (76.2 points), Ghana (75.6 points), Senegal (72.8 points), and Namibia (72.2 points).