Côte d’Ivoire’s $68m Rural Connectivity Programme Targets 575 Localities

Côte d’Ivoire has completed the first phase of its National Rural Connectivity Programme (PNCR), expanding digital access to underserved communities across the country.

The commissioning of the rural connectivity sites took place on August 2, 2024, in Djebakaha, a village in Korhogo, and was led by the Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté.

Konaté described the initiative as a “silent but powerful revolution” that will transform the lives of rural populations by expanding access to online education, remote healthcare services, digital economic opportunities and other digital services.

The completion of the first phase also marked the launch of the programme’s second and third phases, scheduled for 2024 and 2025. The second phase, valued at 18 billion CFA francs, is expected to connect 240 additional localities across regions including Bélier, Poro, Tchologo, Bagoué and Haut-Sassandra.

The third phase, with an investment of 10 billion CFA francs, will extend connectivity to another 160 localities in regions including Indénié-Djuablin, Gboklê, Sud-Comoé, Tonkpi, Kabadougou, Bafing and Worodougou.

With a total budget of 38 billion CFA francs, the PNCR aims to connect 575 rural localities, helping to narrow the digital divide and bring connectivity and digital services closer to rural communities across Côte d’Ivoire.