Côte d’Ivoire’s national strategy for AI

The Stratégie Nationale de l’Intelligence Artificielle – SNIA 2030 of Côte d’Ivoire, published in 2024 by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalisation, is a comprehensive national framework aiming to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive, ethical, and sustainable development by 2030. It responds to Côte d’Ivoire’s relatively low ranking (138th) in the 2023 Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, signalling both current challenges and future potential.

The strategy is grounded in three core pillars: investment, inclusion, and governance. Each pillar articulates a detailed set of actions to strengthen the national AI ecosystem. Investment focuses on developing local skills, building digital infrastructure, ensuring high-quality data access, mobilising innovation funding, and establishing ethical and legal frameworks. Inclusion is designed to extend the benefits of AI across all regions and sectors, notably agriculture, health, public services, education, and culture. The strategy promotes the use of AI to improve diagnostics in healthcare, automate administrative processes, support digital agriculture, and preserve cultural heritage through digital archiving. Finally, governance emphasises ethical, legal, and regulatory oversight, including the creation of standards, supervisory authorities, and mechanisms to protect data privacy and mitigate algorithmic bias.

The strategy’s objectives align closely with the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education (SDG 4), good health (SDG 3), industry innovation (SDG 9), and strong institutions (SDG 16). It aims to transform Côte d’Ivoire into a regional AI innovation hub, supporting local startups, building global partnerships, and attracting foreign investment. Specific actions include the creation of data centers, deployment of high-speed connectivity in rural areas, promotion of AI in local languages, and establishment of a National AI Agency.

In terms of operationalisation, SNIA 2030 also includes a roadmap and a change management plan to monitor progress, ensure cross-sectoral coordination, and update the strategy in response to technological developments. By embedding inclusivity, cultural identity, and responsible innovation at the heart of its design, the strategy positions AI as a transformative force for Côte d’Ivoire’s social and economic development.