US Expands Côte d’Ivoire Tech Footprint with Starlink Approval and $170m Data Centre Project
The Ivoirian government gave final approval for the project, which showcases American technology that uses satellites to bring world-class connectivity to Ivoirians nationwide, especially in the most remote and rural places in the country.
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank R. Garcia announced July 16 at the U.S. Embassy that Starlink will be providing high-speed internet services to customers throughout Côte d’Ivoire. The Ivoirian government gave final approval for the project, which showcases American technology that uses satellites to bring world-class connectivity to Ivoirians nationwide, especially in the most remote and rural places in the country.
The Assistant Secretary, who visited Côte d’Ivoire July 15-16 during his first trip to Africa as Assistant Secretary, also announced that U.S. technology company Cybastion has received formal authorization from the Ivoirian government to proceed with a $170 million U.S. Export-Import Bank financed project that will bring a sovereign national data center, government digitization platform, and a cutting-edge smart border surveillance system to Côte d’Ivoire. U.S. tech companies Cisco and Cybastion are partnering with the U.S. Embassy to deepen American engagement in Côte d’Ivoire’s growing digital sector—helping create jobs for Americans and Ivoirians.
American private investment is also strengthening the Ivoirian health and education sectors. Assistant Secretary Garcia reported that ABD Group has reached agreement to proceed with a $293 million healthcare infrastructure initiative in Côte d’Ivoire, representing the first major project being implemented under the $570 million infrastructure framework agreement signed between ABD Group and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in Washington in April 2026 across the healthcare, education, and water sectors.
American technology is also modernizing Côte d’Ivoire’s trade infrastructure. Assistant Secretary Garcia announced U.S. technology logistics company NTELX signed a contract with the Greater Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to expand the use of its truck coordination technology at the Port of Abidjan. The agreement highlights the role of American innovation in modernizing Côte d’Ivoire’s trade infrastructure and improving the movement of goods through one of West Africa’s busiest ports.
“The authorization of Starlink’s commercial services in Côte d’Ivoire is a win for connectivity, innovation, and American business. It demonstrates what’s possible when the United States and American companies work with African partners to expand opportunity and strengthen digital infrastructure. From Starlink’s high-speed connectivity, Cybastion’s digital infrastructure projects, NTELEX’s port efficiency solutions, and ABD Group’s infrastructure of tomorrow, U.S. technology is opening new opportunities for American companies and creating jobs for Americans and Ivoirians in the interests of both our countries.”
– Frank R. Garcia, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
“Assistant Secretary Garcia’s trip to Côte d’Ivoire has proved essential to getting several key commercial deals over the finish line in the mutual interests of the United States and Côte d’Ivoire. His visit provides important momentum to the American-Ivoirian commercial relationship.”
– Junaid Munir, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire
