Côte d’Ivoire’s digital leap: a 4% surge in global ICT rankings
The Côte d’Ivoire has made remarkable strides in its digital economy, as reflected in the 2026 edition of the ICT Development Index (IDI) published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Over the past year, the nation has significantly expanded its digital footprint, boosting its national score from 69.5 in 2025 to 72 in 2026—a leap of nearly 4%.
This upward trajectory underscores the tangible impact of sustained investments in digital infrastructure and market adoption. It aligns seamlessly with the country’s strategic priorities outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Digital Development Strategy, which position digitalization and telecom modernization as cornerstones of economic growth.
Côte d’Ivoire climbs Africa’s digital ladder
On the continental stage, the Côte d’Ivoire is solidifying its position among Africa’s digital leaders. With a score of 72, the country ranks 15th in Africa, surpassing the continental average of 59 points by a substantial margin.
To grasp the drivers behind this achievement, it’s essential to examine the two structural pillars underpinning the ITU’s evaluation framework. The first, ‘Universal Connectivity’, assesses foundational digital adoption metrics such as household internet access, individual internet usage, and active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Here, the Côte d’Ivoire scores 64.9 points—well above Africa’s average of 38.1.
The second pillar, ‘Meaningful Connectivity’, evaluates operational factors including mobile network coverage, fixed and mobile data traffic per subscription, device ownership, and the financial accessibility of tariffs. The Côte d’Ivoire excels in this category too, securing 79 points, which outpaces the regional average of 65.
Mobile broadband coverage and affordable connectivity drive progress
The country’s mobile broadband networks are a standout feature. 3G coverage reaches 98% of the population, while 4G/LTE networks cover 90%. Affordability is another key strength: mobile data and voice plans cost 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 score of 87.
Market penetration is also impressive, with 73.1% of individuals owning a mobile phone and 70.8% actively using the internet. Additionally, 58.7% of households have home internet access, and there are 84.1 active mobile broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
Room for deeper digital engagement remains
While these milestones are significant, certain performance indicators reveal untapped potential. Mobile broadband data consumption stands at 32.7 gigabytes per subscription, yielding a traffic score of 51.5 points. Fixed broadband traffic averages 893.9 gigabytes per subscription, resulting in a normalized score of 73.7 points. These figures suggest that while basic connectivity is now firmly established, deeper digital engagement and high-bandwidth usage present substantial growth opportunities.
Africa’s digital leaders: where Côte d’Ivoire stands
The continent’s top performers in the 2026 IDI include Morocco (89.2 points), Mauritius (89.1 points), Algeria (87.8 points), South Africa (86.4 points), and 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 are Gabon (76.2 points), Ghana (75.6 points), Senegal (72.8 points), Namibia (72.2 points), and the Côte d’Ivoire (72 points), which closes the Top 15.