By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Côte d’Ivoire has
highlighted the strategic role of space infrastructure in advancing digital
transformation, with Minister of Digital Transition and Technological
Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, calling for stronger synergies between space and
digital technologies.
Speaking on Thursday,
September 24, 2026, during the Africa Space Expo (ASPEX 2026), Ouattara said
the convergence of space and digital technologies was important to the
development of Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in expanding connectivity, managing
frequencies and enhancing the use of data.
He said satellite
infrastructure can complement terrestrial networks and play an important role
in extending digital coverage across the country.
The Minister pointed to Côte
d’Ivoire’s progress in connectivity, noting that national coverage has reached
95%. He reaffirmed the country’s ambition to achieve 100% coverage while
ensuring quality and high-speed connectivity.
The convergence between
terrestrial and satellite networks is also being addressed through the
Radiocommunications Forum, organised alongside ASPEX 2026. The forum is
highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating
terrestrial and satellite networks.
According to Ouattara, Côte
d’Ivoire’s approach is aimed at making greater use of the potential of space
technologies to support its broader digital transformation agenda.
The ambition, he said, is to
build a Côte d’Ivoire that is more connected and autonomous, while
strengthening its focus on innovation and the use of emerging technologies for
national development.
ASPEX 2026 is bringing
together stakeholders from the African and international space ecosystem to
examine opportunities for strengthening the continent’s space capabilities and
applying space technologies to socio-economic development.
