The Ivorian government is working to improve telecom coverage across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas, as part of its digital transformation strategy. Despite regulations requiring nationwide coverage, some regions still face limited access to reliable mobile networks.
Meeting quality standards
To address this, leading telecom operators—Orange, MTN, and Moov Africa—plan to install 240 small-scale radio sites throughout Côte d’Ivoire. This initiative follows financial penalties imposed in 2021 for failing to meet service quality standards. Orange was fined US $11.2 million, MTN US $5 million, and Moov Africa US $4 million. Instead of paying these fines, the operators agreed to reinvest the funds into expanding network infrastructure.
The project aligns with the National Rural Connectivity Program (PNCR), which aims to connect 240 villages by 2025. Although 4G coverage reached 91.5% of the population in 2023, the GSMA’s 2024 Mobile Connectivity Index rated the country’s overall network coverage at 85.2%, highlighting the need for improved consistency and reach.
With CFA18 billion allocated for the second phase of the PNCR and CFA13.2 billion redirected from the fines, the government expects improved rural connectivity. However, operators have historically been hesitant to invest in rural areas due to low profitability. To ensure the success of the initiative, regulatory committees will closely monitor the project’s implementation and progress.