• The U.S. announced over $550 million in trade agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on energy, digital transition, infrastructure, security, housing, and technology.

• Key partnerships include George Mason University, Cybastion, and the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Economy to train youth in AI and cybersecurity, alongside Cybastion’s ongoing projects in West Africa.

• These initiatives aim to strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s digital sovereignty, secure critical infrastructures, and develop local digital talent.

The United States is deepening its engagement in Côte d’Ivoire's digital transformation, with a senior State Department official announcing and witnessing the signing of over $550 million in trade agreements during a recent visit to Abidjan. Troy Fitrell,acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs , participated in key economic meetings where the deals spanned crucial sectors including energy, digital transition, infrastructure, security, housing, and technology.

A significant focus of the U.S. commitment lies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Several initiatives were spotlighted, notably a memorandum of understanding between George Mason University, U.S. firm Cybastion, and the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Economy. This collaboration aims to cultivate young talent in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, providing Ivorian youth with the skills necessary to navigate the demands of the digital economy.

Adding to this momentum, Cybastion, an American company, has pledged to develop projects across several West African nations, with a particular emphasis on cybersecurity, e-government solutions, connectivity enhancement, and technology-focused training programs.

This fresh wave of commitment builds upon existing cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and Cybastion. In 2023, the cybersecurity firm inked an agreement with Ivorian authorities for the development of a national data center and a digital administrative city. Further bolstering digital skills, a partnership with Cisco was launched in 2024 to train 3,000 women in various digital competencies.

The overarching ambition of these initiatives is to foster a more robust regional digital ecosystem. For Côte d’Ivoire, the key challenge lies in effectively leveraging these partnerships to fortify its digital sovereignty, establish secure critical infrastructure, and cultivate a substantial pool of skilled individuals capable of meeting the expanding needs of the digital sector, moving beyond isolated pilot programs.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji