Some 30 companies, 02 years of support, a national bet, Ivory Coast is finally activating its Startup Act. Indeed, under the patronage of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, Minister Djibril Ouattara unveiled 02 complementary measures intended to structure the Ivorian tech ecosystem. Ivoire Tech Next 15 targets 15 high-potential digital start-ups, in operation for at least one year and already generating revenue. Ivoire Tech Scale Up is aimed at 15 already established technological SMEs, with between 3 and 5 closed financial years and an average turnover reaching 500 million FCFA. The 30 winners will benefit for 24 months from support built around four levers, namely the strengthening of governance, the deployment of artificial intelligence agents financed by the State, networking with major accounts and financiers, and regional expansion towards UEMOA and ECOWAS. The stated ambition is to mobilize between 5 and 10 billion CFA francs from banks, investment funds and donors.

To be eligible, start-ups must have their head office in Côte d'Ivoire, founders with a majority stake and an up-to-date tax situation. Candidate SMEs must prove that their capital is at least 75% owned by nationals, generate at least 65% of their turnover in digital technology and have at least ten employees. The applications will be evaluated between September 13 and 20, before hearings before an international and independent jury at the end of September in Abidjan. This double launch is part of a broader strategy of digital sovereignty, the Ministry having taken the opportunity to establish VITIB as a reference destination for technological startups and SMEs in the country. 

By focusing on FinTech, AgriTech and other priority sectors, the Ivorian State intends to bring out a new generation of digital champions capable of reaching beyond national borders.