(Ecofin Agency) - In recent years, Côte d’Ivoire has been heavily investing in digital technology and ICT, with support from partners and the private sector. These investments have made the country a key destination for businesses from Europe, Asia, and the United States.

The United States plans to strengthen trade ties and increase investments in Côte d’Ivoire. Sarah Morgenthau, the U.S. State Department’s Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, highlighted these intentions during her visit to the country last week. She advocated for American companies and explored opportunities for collaboration with local stakeholders.

.@BizAtState, Représentante spéciale du Département d'État américain pour les affaires commerciales et économique, a souligné l'engagement des États-Unis à renforcer les échanges commerciaux et à accroître les investissements commerciaux avec la Côte d'Ivoire lors de sa visite… pic.twitter.com/bryZilI3rq

— U.S. Embassy Abidjan (@USEmbAbidjan) December 10, 2024

This visit comes as Côte d’Ivoire accelerates its digital transformation. The country aims to become a leading tech hub in the region, supported by significant government investments in the sector. For 2025, the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Affairs has been allocated CFA60.78 billion (about $97.4 million) to advance ongoing projects.

According to the Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority of Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI), as of March 31, 2024, the country had 55.4 million mobile phone subscribers, with a penetration rate of 176.6%. Mobile internet penetration stood at 95.7%, supported by 24,764 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure. Côte d’Ivoire is ranked among nations with a "high Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII)" in the 2024 E-Government Survey: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development, scoring 0.6693 out of 1, well above the African average of 0.4534.

“In 2023, bilateral trade between the United States and Côte d’Ivoire reached $1.49 billion,” said Sarah Morgenthau. “The United States is the global partner of choice because our agreements are mutually beneficial. It’s a win-win relationship. Our partnerships build local capacity, create jobs, and support innovation,” she added.