Côte d’Ivoire Accelerates Digital Push with Starlink Licence and 5G Launch

Côte d’Ivoire is gearing up for a major connectivity leap, with satellite internet provider Starlink  set to begin operations in the country from July 2026 and a nationwide 5G rollout kicking off in the same month.

Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation Djibril Ouattara made the announcements during the government’s Gouv’Talk online dialogue series on Thursday, 11 June 2026.

Starlink has been granted a 12-month provisional licence to provide fixed high-speed satellite internet across the national territory, with a focus on bridging the connectivity gap in rural areas, schools, and health facilities previously without access.

On 5G, the minister confirmed that deployment will begin in July, with cities of more than 25,000 inhabitants to be progressively covered. He noted that all operators have already equipped their networks in preparation.

Despite an internet coverage rate of 95%, spanning fibre optic, fixed broadband, and mobile services from 2G to 4G, Ouattara flagged smartphone penetration at around 40% as a key challenge, with the government targeting 80% adoption through affordable device access, particularly in rural communities. He added that localities with more than 800 inhabitants would be covered by GSM services within the next four years.

The announcements form part of Côte d’Ivoire’s broader digital strategy, anchored by 40 flagship projects across seven pillars including connectivity, AI, cybersecurity, and e-government.