Abidjan: TECHz – News Desk
In a decisive move to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, Côte d’Ivoire has launched two national programs to accelerate the growth of digital start-ups and technology-driven small and medium-sized enterprises.
Introduced at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire by the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, the Ivoire Tech Next 15 and Ivoire Tech Scale Up initiatives will provide 24 months of structured assistance to 30 selected digital enterprises. These flagship programs are central to the broader National Digital Development Strategy and the 2026–2030 National Development Plan.
The Ministry of Digital Transition aims to significantly expand the digital sector’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product, driving it from a current estimate of 6% to 16% over the next three years. Minister Djibril Ouattara emphasized that the ministry’s core mission is to transform the government’s vision into concrete, measurable results that create lasting value for companies and citizens alike.
The dual-track approach is designed to support both early-stage innovators and established digital enterprises ready for broader market expansion. The Ivoire Tech Next 15 targets 15 promising start-ups that have been operating for at least one year with established revenue generated from innovative products or services, provided the founders hold majority capital.
Conversely, the Ivoire Tech Scale Up program will select 15 established technological enterprises. Eligible companies must present three to five completed financial statements showing an average turnover of CFA 500 million, generate at least 65% of their revenue from digital activities, employ a minimum of 10 people, and maintain at least 75% Ivorian national ownership. Both programs strictly require applicants to be fully compliant with tax and social obligations.
Alongside private-sector acceleration, the government introduced the Ivoire GovTech Lab. This dedicated platform focuses on digitalizing public administration, allowing the state to publish digital projects directly and create immediate opportunities for local innovators to participate in modernizing public services.
Applications for both accelerator programs are free of charge and must be submitted online by September 13, 2026. Following a competitive pitching phase where the best projects will be defended before an independent international jury, the final winners will be announced in Abidjan by the end of September 2026.
