Digital leap: Côte d’Ivoire climbs four points in global ICT rankings
Côte d’Ivoire has marked a significant stride in digital transformation, as revealed by the latest edition of the ICT Development Index (IDI) released by the International Telecommunication Union. The country’s national score surged from 69.5 in 2025 to 72 in 2026, reflecting a remarkable 4% increase within a single year.
This progress underscores the tangible results of sustained investments in digital infrastructure and market adoption. It aligns seamlessly with the objectives outlined in the National Development Plan and the National Digital Strategy, both of which prioritize digital economy growth and telecom modernization as key drivers of economic progress.
On the continental stage, Côte d’Ivoire solidifies its position among Africa’s digital frontrunners. With a score of 72, the nation ranks 15th in Africa, significantly outpacing the continental average of 59 points.
Breaking down the IDI pillars: where Côte d’Ivoire excels
The ITU’s evaluation framework is built on two core pillars. The first, Universal Connectivity, assesses foundational digital access metrics such as household internet penetration, individual internet usage, and mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Côte d’Ivoire achieved a score of 64.9 here, well above Africa’s average of 38.1.
The second pillar, Meaningful Connectivity, evaluates operational factors like mobile network coverage, fixed and mobile data traffic per subscription, device ownership, and financial affordability. The country scored 79 points in this category, surpassing the African regional average of 65.
Key achievements include near-universal mobile broadband coverage—98% for 3G and 90% for 4G/LTE—and highly competitive pricing. Mobile data and voice plans cost just 1.8% of the national gross income per capita, translating to a financial accessibility index of 95.8 out of 100. Fixed broadband plans are similarly affordable, priced at 4.8% of gross income per capita, yielding an accessibility score of 87.
Market penetration figures further highlight the country’s digital momentum: 73.1% of individuals own a mobile phone, 70.8% actively use the internet, 58.7% of households have home internet access, and mobile broadband subscriptions reach 84.1 per 100 inhabitants.
Room for growth: unlocking deeper digital consumption
Despite these milestones, opportunities remain in enhancing high-bandwidth usage. Average mobile broadband data consumption stands at 32.7 gigabytes per subscription, yielding a traffic score of 51.5. Fixed broadband usage averages 893.9 gigabytes per subscription, scoring 73.7. These figures signal that while basic access is now widespread, deeper digital engagement and high-speed data utilization present untapped potential.
In the broader African context, Côte d’Ivoire sits just behind leaders like Morocco (89.2), Mauritius (89.1), Algeria (87.8), South Africa (86.4), and Seychelles (84.4). The top 15 also includes Tunisia, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Eswatini, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Senegal, and Namibia. Côte d’Ivoire’s 72-point score places it firmly among the continent’s digital elite.
