Côte d’Ivoire to bring high-speed internet to 30 more rural communities by September 🇨🇮📶

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Ivory Coast is moving forward with the second phase of its National Rural Connectivity Program (PNCR), pledging to connect 30 additional rural communities to mobile networks and high-speed internet by September 25, 2025. The initiative aims to close the widening digital gap between urban and rural areas.

A national strategy for digital inclusion 💻

Officially launched on September 5, this second rollout is part of the government’s broader push to expand digital coverage nationwide. Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization, emphasized that the project aligns with President Alassane Ouattara’s vision of using technology as a driver of economic and social development.

The goal is to ensure equal access to digital services for rural populations who have long been left behind. Regions such as Grands-Ponts, Nawa, Sud-Comoé, N’Zi, Guémon, Cavally, Poro, and Tchologo are among the beneficiaries. Villages including Yanfissa, Kangana, Kognimansso, and Dougbe are already coming online.

Socio-economic ripple effects 📈🏫

Beyond expanding network coverage, the program is expected to directly impact daily life in rural areas. High-speed internet access is a powerful enabler for education, healthcare, local trade, and financial inclusion. Authorities hope this rollout will better integrate rural communities into Ivory Coast’s growing digital economy.

The roadmap calls for the PNCR to eventually cover 575 rural localities by the end of 2025, reaching an estimated 825,000 residents who currently lack even basic digital services. The first phase, launched in July, already connected several communities across the Gôh, Tonkpi, Nawa, and Poro regions.

Partnerships powering nationwide expansion 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽🏛️

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with ARTCI, the country’s telecom regulator, which oversees technical implementation and compliance. Future phases are set to expand coverage nationwide, reinforcing the country’s digital sovereignty.

For the Ivorian government, investing in rural connectivity is more than an infrastructure project — it’s about aligning technological progress with territorial equity. By doing so, the country hopes to strengthen social cohesion while preparing its population for the opportunities of the digital economy.

👉🏾 Do you think rural connectivity can really help close the gap between Ivory Coast’s cities and villages?