THE ICT MARKET IN 2015 I - MARKET OVERVIEW The Ivory Coast is the second largest economy in and the largest economy in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Since 2011 the Ivory Coast has registered remarkable growth. Indeed, GDP growth was at 8.8% in 2013 and 9.2% in the third quarter of 2014. This positive performance comes after years of sluggish performance and was facilitated by many factors mainly the devaluation of the CFA franc, higher cocoa and coffee prices, growth in non-traditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, debt relief and rescheduling, as well as the discovery of oil and gas reserves. The Ivory Coast records the 4th highest growth rate amongst African countries, with an average annual FDI growth rate of 43.1%, between 2007-2012. Lebanon is Ivory Coast’s leading investor.

Capital Yamoussoukro Largest city Abidjan Government Presidential Republic Currency West African CFA franc (XOF) Official language French Area 322,463 km2 Population 22,848,945 (July 2014 est.) Calling code +225

Economic snapshot

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 GDP (% annual growth rate) 3.7 2.4 -4.7 9.5 9.5 9.9(Q3) Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 50.7 50.5 53.8 48.4 48.4 - Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 39.8 43.2 37.3 44.2 44.2 - ICT goods imports (% total goods imports) 3.9 3.3 3.1 2.5 2.5 - CONTENT Inflation (annual %) 1.0 1.7 4.9 1.3 1.3 - Exchange rate (per USD) 472.2 495.3 471.9 510.5 510.5 494.4

I. Market Overview p.3 Source: World Bank II. Trade Outlook p.4 Sector Contribution to GDP in the Ivory Coast | 2011 III. Business Opportunities p.6 IV. SWOT Analysis of the Market p.8 V. Key Players p.8 VI. Trade Fairs 2015 p.8 VII. How Can IDAL Help p.9 VIII. Useful Contacts p.9

Source: OECD

1 Ernst & Young’s Attractiveness Survey on Africa, 2013. 2 3 II. Trade Outlook III. BusinessIII. Business Opportunities Opportunities The Ivory Coast’s largest city, Abidjan, is home to the second largest port in Africa. Its main imports Trade volumes between Lebanon and the Ivory Coast (2010-2013) The IvoryThe Coast’s Ivory Coast’s ICT sector ICT has sector persistently has persistently expanded expanded and proved and provedlucrative. lucrative. In 2013, In it 2013,generated it generated include mineral, vegetable and chemical products, machinery and mechanical appliances, a total ofa totalaround of around5,000 direct 5,000 jobs direct and jobs 50,000 and 50,000indirect indirectjobs and jobs contributed and contributed to around to around6- 7% of6- 7% of electrical equipment, sound and television image recorders and reproducers. Total Lebanese Exports to Ivory Coast | USD Million GDP, theGDP, second the secondlargest contributionlargest contribution after agriculture, after agriculture, amounting amounting to roughly to roughlyUSD 600-800Billion USD 600-800Billion1. 1.

The Ivory coast has Free Trade Agreements with the European and African community, making 37.793 The IvoryThe Coast Ivory is Coast currently is currently ’s West Africa’slargest internetlargest internet market market and is mainly and is basedmainly onbased mobile on mobile them the main associates. However, no Trade Agreements have been conducted with Lebanon yet. connectivity.connectivity. Indeed, Indeed,the Ivory the Coast Ivory had Coast an estimatedhad an estimated mobile penetrationmobile penetration rate of 88% rate ofin 88%2014, in one 2014, one South-South trade is expected to thrive with Asian partners on the rise as main trade partners, 29.451 of the highestof the highestin Sub-Saharan in Sub-Saharan Africa. MoreoverAfrica. Moreover there are there currently are currently six mobile six operators,mobile operators, all of them all of them 28.410 26.583 especially India and China. 24.576 backed backedup by renowned up by renowned international international operators: operators: MTN and MTN Orange and Orangeare the areleaders the leadersin the market, in the market, and other’sand other’sinclude includeMoov (owned Moov (ownedby UAE’s by ItisalatUAE’s andItisalat sold and to soldMaroc to TelecomMaroc Telecom in 2014) in and 2014) KoZ and KoZ Ease of Trade (owned (ownedby the Lebanese by the Lebanese Comium Comium Group)2 Group). 2. Importing a standard container of goods into Ivory Coast requires This highThis increase high increase in mobile in mobilephones phonesand internet and internet penetration penetration opened opened the door the to door various to various opportunitiesopportunities for mobile-related for mobile-related businesses businesses and a particularly and a particularly promising promising market marketfor service for servicesector sector applications.applications. Software Software systems systems are also are increasingly also increasingly sought aftersought across after variousacross variousindustries industries in order in order 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 to enhanceto enhance customer customer experiences. experiences. The country The country also has also an hasimportant an important telecommunications telecommunications infrastructureinfrastructure giving it giving a comparative it a comparative advantage advantage in the region in the3 .region 3. Source: Lebanese Higher Customs Council (2014)

Total Lebanese Imports from Ivory Coast | USD Million Ivory CoastIvory telecom Coast telecom sector -sector Market - MarketPenetration Penetration Rates (estimates) Rates (estimates) | 2014 | 2014

26.706

17.770 19.363

8.178 7.324 Source: ResearchSource: Researchand Markets and report Markets report Main exporters to the Ivory Coast 1. e-Government1. e-Government The IvoryThe Coast Ivory startedCoast startedits e-government its e-government initiatives initiatives in 2004 in by 2004 posting by postinginformation information online ononline on 1 6 United States 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 naturalization,naturalization, legal texts, legal surveystexts, surveys and documents and documents on immigration, on immigration, as well asas wella number as a number of of 2 France 7 Germany downloadabledownloadable forms4. formsIn 2011,4. In the 2011, Government the Government adopted adopted the e-GOUV the e-GOUV scheme, scheme, which consists which consists of of Source: Lebanese Higher Customs Council (2014) 3 China 8 Vietnam two majortwo axes;major e-Administration axes; e-Administration and e-Services and e-Services5. The SNDI5. The is SNDI also isworking also working to implement to implement ICT ICT 4 India 9 Spain solutionssolutions in all government in all government activities, activities, including including nance, nance, health care, health and care, education, and education, with the with goal the of goal of 6 6 5 Thailand 10 Netherlands providing,providing, by the year by the 2020, year all 2020, government all government services services available available online in online developed in developed countries countries. . Hence, Hence,the e-government the e-government subsector subsector is growing is growing at a rapid at arate rapid in therate Ivory in the Coast Ivory and Coast presents and presents an an Source: Observatory of Economic Complexity (2012) abundanceabundance of potential of potential programs programs and applications and applications7. 7.

Top Lebanese Exports to the Ivory Coast 2013 | Tons, Net 2. e-Agriculture2. e-Agriculture Tons Net A comprehensiveA comprehensive national national e-agriculture e-agriculture strategy strategy document document was validated was validated in 2012. in This 2012. strategy This strategy has has 1 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 1,043 the aim theof modernizingaim of modernizing the country’s the country’s agricultural agricultural sector andsector enhancing and enhancing its productivity: its productivity: increasing increasing 2 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery… 971 the country’sthe country’s export ofexport cocoa, of cocoa,coffee andcoffee other and produce, other produce, and decreasing and decreasing food imports food imports8. The 8. The 3 Plastics and article 811 strategystrategy requires requires suitable suitable access accessto information to information services services and data and centers data centersas part asof partan ICT of an ICT 4 Printed books, newspapers, pictures… 739 packagepackage aiming toaiming make to real-time make real-time market marketinformation information systems systems available available via mobile via mobilephones phonesand and tablets9.tablets Esoko9 .is Esoko an Agriculture is an Agriculture mobile applicationsmobile applications used to usedmarket to informationmarket information for businesses for businesses and and 5 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports… 693 6 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp 582 7 Miscellaneous edible preparations 512 8 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 460 9 Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins… 311 10 Electrical machinery, equipment and parts 284

Source: Lebanese Higher Customs Council (2013)

4 5

private individualsprivate individuals in Ivory inCoast Ivory10 .Coast Partnering10. Partnering with the with government the government for the developmentfor the development of similar of similar programsprograms will be highlywill be pro table highly pro table since agriculture since agriculture is the biggest is the biggestsector in sector the Ivory in the Coast. Ivory Coast.

3. e-Health3. e-Health In countriesIn countries such as such the Ivoryas the Coast, Ivory whereCoast, the where number the number of mobile of phonesmobile phonessurpasses surpasses that of xedthat of xed lines, e-Healthlines, e-Health and m-Health and m-Health seem to seem be ato favorable be a favorable network network for medical for medical communication communication and and healthcare.healthcare. However, However, only a fewonly applicationsa few applications are available are available at the moment.at the moment. One of Onethe mostof the most successfulsuccessful is the Duty is the Chemist Duty Chemist application, application, launched launched by Orange by OrangeHealthcare, Healthcare, which identi es which identi es the the closest closestpharmacies pharmacies to patients to patients via mobile via11 mobile. 11. 4. e-Education4. e-Education KnowingKnowing that education that education remains remains the base the of base all development, of all development, the Ivorian the governmentIvorian government recognizes recognizes that applicationsthat applications are scarce are inscarce this domain, in this domain, and is pushing and is pushing for e-Education for e-Education to become to become a pillar ina pillarthe in the nation. nation.An example An example of an e-Educationof an e-Education project projectis Mindset is Mindset Learn whichLearn deliverswhich delivers materials materials via via televisiontelevision and the and internet the internet for up-to-date for up-to-date and interactive and interactive learning learning12. 12.

5. e-Commerce5. e-Commerce E-commerceE-commerce is on the is riseon thein Ivory rise inCoast, Ivory especiallyCoast, especially given the given country’s the country’s developed developed phone networkphone network and highand mobile high mobilepenetration penetration rates. Inrates. 2013, In Millicom,2013, Millicom, a digital a servicesdigital services companies companies launched launched Hellofood,Hellofood, Jumia andJumia Kaymu, and Kaymu, three major three online major marketplacesonline marketplaces13. Other13 .companies Other companies such as such e-sis as e-sis (e-Société(e-Société Ivoirienne Ivoirienne de Service) de Service) are also are bene ting also bene ting from this from trend this and trend are andpromoting are promoting the adoption the adoption of e-commerceof e-commerce for retailers for retailers on their on website their website14. 14.

6. e-Banking6. e-Banking The bankingThe banking and payments and payments sector issector one isof onethe mostof the promising most promising industries industries for service for servicesector sector applications.applications. Over 40% Over of 40%the adult of the population adult population of the country of the country has a mobile has a moneymobile accountmoney account15. 15. Five companiesFive companies launched launched their mobile their moneymobile servicemoney servicein Côte ind’Ivoire: Côte d’Ivoire: Orange, Orange, Mtn, Moov, Mtn, CelPaid Moov, CelPaid and Qashand services Qash services16 and offer16 and services offer services such as such money as transfer,money transfer, bill payments, bill payments, deposits deposits withdrawals, withdrawals, and salaryand payments. salary payments.

7. Cloud7. CloudComputing Computing The cloudThe computing cloud computing market marketoffers many offers investment many investment opportunities. opportunities. In 2012, In SlapOS 2012, SlapOS was selected was selected by the Ministryby the Ministry of Interior of Interiorto power to its power data itscenter data and center provide and provideaccess accessto 10 precarious to 10 precarious applications applications to 30,000to users.30,000 This users. was This the was rst thecommercial rst commercial success success of a similar of a servicesimilar servicein the Ivory in the Coast Ivory on Coast the on the sovereignsovereign Cloud market, Cloud market, only 3 months only 3 monthsafter its aftercommercial its commercial introduction introduction17. 17. In 2013,In MTN 2013, announced MTN announced the extension the extension of its cloud of its services cloud services to Ivory toCoast Ivory18 .Coast18. III. Business Opportunities The Ivory Coast’s ICT sector has persistently expanded and proved lucrative. In 2013, it generated a total of around 5,000 direct jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs and contributed to around 6- 7% of GDP, the second largest contribution after agriculture, amounting to roughly USD 600-800Billion1. The Ivory Coast is currently West Africa’s largest internet market and is mainly based on mobile connectivity. Indeed, the Ivory Coast had an estimated mobile penetration rate of 88% in 2014, one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover there are currently six mobile operators, all of them backed up by renowned international operators: MTN and Orange are the leaders in the market, and other’s include Moov (owned by UAE’s Itisalat and sold to Maroc Telecom in 2014) and KoZ (owned by the Lebanese Comium Group)2. This high increase in mobile phones and internet penetration opened the door to various opportunities for mobile-related businesses and a particularly promising market for service sector applications. Software systems are also increasingly sought after across various industries in order to enhance customer experiences. The country also has an important telecommunications infrastructure giving it a comparative advantage in the region3.

Ivory Coast telecom sector - Market Penetration Rates (estimates) | 2014

Source: Research and Markets report

1. e-Government The Ivory Coast started its e-government initiatives in 2004 by posting information online on naturalization, legal texts, surveys and documents on immigration, as well as a number of downloadable forms4. In 2011, the Government adopted the e-GOUV scheme, which consists of two major axes; e-Administration and e-Services5. The SNDI is also working to implement ICT solutions in all government activities, including nance, health care, and education, with the goal of providing, by the year 2020, all government services available online in developed countries6. Hence, the e-government subsector is growing at a rapid rate in the Ivory Coast and presents an abundance of potential programs and applications7.

2. e-Agriculture A comprehensive national e-agriculture strategy document was validated in 2012. This strategy has the aim of modernizing the country’s agricultural sector and enhancing its productivity: increasing the country’s export of cocoa, coffee and other produce, and decreasing food imports8. The strategy requires suitable access to information services and data centers as part of an ICT package aiming to make real-time market information systems available via mobile phones and tablets9. Esoko is an Agriculture mobile applications used to market information for businesses and

III. Business Opportunities The Ivory Coast’s ICT sector has persistently expanded and proved lucrative. In 2013, it generated private individuals in Ivory Coast10. Partnering with the government for the development of similar a total of around 5,000 direct jobs and 50,000 indirect jobs and contributed to around 6- 7% of programs will be highly pro table since agriculture is the biggest sector in the Ivory Coast. GDP, the second largest contribution after agriculture, amounting to roughly USD 600-800Billion1. The Ivory Coast is currently West Africa’s largest internet market and is mainly based on mobile 3. e-Health connectivity. Indeed, the Ivory Coast had an estimated mobile penetration rate of 88% in 2014, one In countries such as the Ivory Coast, where the number of mobile phones surpasses that of xed of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover there are currently six mobile operators, all of them lines, e-Health and m-Health seem to be a favorable network for medical communication and backed up by renowned international operators: MTN and Orange are the leaders in the market, healthcare. However, only a few applications are available at the moment. One of the most and other’s include Moov (owned by UAE’s Itisalat and sold to Maroc Telecom in 2014) and KoZ successful is the Duty Chemist application, launched by Orange Healthcare, which identi es the (owned by the Lebanese Comium Group)2. closest pharmacies to patients via mobile11. This high increase in mobile phones and internet penetration opened the door to various 4. e-Education opportunities for mobile-related businesses and a particularly promising market for service sector applications. Software systems are also increasingly sought after across various industries in order Knowing that education remains the base of all development, the Ivorian government recognizes to enhance customer experiences. The country also has an important telecommunications that applications are scarce in this domain, and is pushing for e-Education to become a pillar in the infrastructure giving it a comparative advantage in the region3. nation. An example of an e-Education project is Mindset Learn which delivers materials via television and the internet for up-to-date and interactive learning12.

Ivory Coast telecom sector - Market Penetration Rates (estimates) | 2014 5. e-Commerce E-commerce is on the rise in Ivory Coast, especially given the country’s developed phone network Market Penetration Rate and high mobile penetration rates. In 2013, Millicom, a digital services companies launched Mobile 88% Hellofood, Jumia and Kaymu, three major online marketplaces13. Other companies such as e-sis Fixed 1% (e-Société Ivoirienne de Service) are also bene ting from this trend and are promoting the adoption 14 Internet 5% of e-commerce for retailers on their website .

Source: Research and Markets report 6. e-Banking The banking and payments sector is one of the most promising industries for service sector 1. e-Government applications. Over 40% of the adult population of the country has a mobile money account15. Five companies launched their mobile money service in Côte d’Ivoire: Orange, Mtn, Moov, CelPaid The Ivory Coast started its e-government initiatives in 2004 by posting information online on 16 naturalization, legal texts, surveys and documents on immigration, as well as a number of and Qash services and offer services such as money transfer, bill payments, deposits withdrawals, downloadable forms4. In 2011, the Government adopted the e-GOUV scheme, which consists of and salary payments. two major axes; e-Administration and e-Services5. The SNDI is also working to implement ICT solutions in all government activities, including nance, health care, and education, with the goal of 7. Cloud Computing providing, by the year 2020, all government services available online in developed countries6. The cloud computing market offers many investment opportunities. In 2012, SlapOS was selected Hence, the e-government subsector is growing at a rapid rate in the Ivory Coast and presents an by the Ministry of Interior to power its data center and provide access to 10 precarious applications abundance of potential programs and applications7. to 30,000 users. This was the rst commercial success of a similar service in the Ivory Coast on the sovereign Cloud market, only 3 months after its commercial introduction17. 2. e-Agriculture In 2013, MTN announced the extension of its cloud services to Ivory Coast18. A comprehensive national e-agriculture strategy document was validated in 2012. This strategy has the aim of modernizing the country’s agricultural sector and enhancing its productivity: increasing the country’s export of cocoa, coffee and other produce, and decreasing food imports8. The strategy requires suitable access to information services and data centers as part of an ICT package aiming to make real-time market information systems available via mobile phones and tablets9. Esoko is an Agriculture mobile applications used to market information for businesses and

10 1 Biztech Africa, Ivory Coast Government Takes Stock of ICT Progress, 2013 Andre M. Nnoung, Burt E. Swanson and Andrea B. Bohn, IFPRI 2012 Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services 11 2 Macropolis, ICT and Telecom Sector in Côte d'Ivoire: Analysis of Telecom and ICT Sector, 2012 Orange Healthcare, mHealth, 2014 12 3 Embassy Of Cote d’ivoire-New Delhi, Other Assets of Cote d’Ivoire Center for Education Innovations, Mindset Learn 13 4 Agence EcoFin, L’Afrique Se Met A l’e-Gouvernement, 2011 Millicom, Where We Operate – Ivory Coast 14 5 TIC Edu Forum, Le Dispositif e-Education de la Côte d’Ivoire, 2012 e-SIS, Presentation de e-SIS 15 6 GlobalBusiness, Ivory Coast :The Comeback, 2014 http://www.globalbusiness.uk.com/pdfs/2014/2014-09-ivorycoast.pdf Claire Penicaud, Mobile money in Côte d’Ivoire: A turnaround story,2014 16 7 Republic of Ivory Coast, Restitution du Rapport D’actualisation du Schema Directeur de la Gouvernance Electronique, 2013 Ibid. Claire Penicaud, Mobile money in Côte d’Ivoire: A turnaround story,2014 17 8 9 ICT update, E-agriculture strategies: the case of Ivory Coast, 2013 Nexedi, Press release 2012 18 Business Cloud News, MTN buys datacentre for Ivory Coast, 2013 6 7

private individuals in Ivory Coast10. Partnering with the government for the development of similar programs will be highly pro table since agriculture is the biggest sector in the Ivory Coast.

3. e-Health In countries such as the Ivory Coast, where the number of mobile phones surpasses that of xed lines, e-Health and m-Health seem to be a favorable network for medical communication and healthcare. However, only a few applications are available at the moment. One of the most successful is the Duty Chemist application, launched by Orange Healthcare, which identi es the closest pharmacies to patients via mobile11. 4. e-Education Knowing that education remains the base of all development, the Ivorian government recognizes that applications are scarce in this domain, and is pushing for e-Education to become a pillar in the nation. An example of an e-Education project is Mindset Learn which delivers materials via television and the internet for up-to-date and interactive learning12.

5. e-Commerce E-commerce is on the rise in Ivory Coast, especially given the country’s developed phone network and high mobile penetration rates. In 2013, Millicom, a digital services companies launched Hellofood, Jumia and Kaymu, three major online marketplaces13. Other companies such as e-sis (e-Société Ivoirienne de Service) are also bene ting from this trend and are promoting the adoption of e-commerce for retailers on their website14.

6. e-Banking The banking and payments sector is one of the most promising industries for service sector applications. Over 40% of the adult population of the country has a mobile money account15. Five companies launched their mobile money service in Côte d’Ivoire: Orange, Mtn, Moov, CelPaid and Qash services16 and offer services such as money transfer, bill payments, deposits withdrawals, and salary payments.

7. Cloud Computing The cloud computing market offers many investment opportunities. In 2012, SlapOS was selected by the Ministry of Interior to power its data center and provide access to 10 precarious applications to 30,000 users. This was the rst commercial success of a similar service in the Ivory Coast on the sovereign Cloud market, only 3 months after its commercial introduction17. In 2013, MTN announced the extension of its cloud services to Ivory Coast18. III. BusinessIII. Business Opportunities Opportunities The IvoryThe Coast’s Ivory Coast’s ICT sector ICT has sector persistently has persistently expanded expanded and proved and provedlucrative. lucrative. In 2013, In it 2013,generated it generated a total ofa totalaround of around5,000 direct 5,000 jobs direct and jobs 50,000 and 50,000indirect indirectjobs and jobs contributed and contributed to around to around6- 7% of6- 7% of GDP, theGDP, second the secondlargest contributionlargest contribution after agriculture, after agriculture, amounting amounting to roughly to roughlyUSD 600-800Billion USD 600-800Billion1. 1. The IvoryThe Coast Ivory is Coast currently is currently West Africa’s West Africa’slargest internetlargest internet market market and is mainly and is basedmainly onbased mobile on mobile connectivity.connectivity. Indeed, Indeed,the Ivory the Coast Ivory had Coast an estimatedhad an estimated mobile penetrationmobile penetration rate of 88% rate ofin 88%2014, in one 2014, one of the highestof the highestin Sub-Saharan in Sub-Saharan Africa. MoreoverAfrica. Moreover there are there currently are currently six mobile six operators,mobile operators, all of them all of them backed backedup by renowned up by renowned international international operators: operators: MTN and MTN Orange and Orangeare the areleaders the leadersin the market, in the market, and other’sand other’sinclude includeMoov (owned Moov (ownedby UAE’s by ItisalatUAE’s andItisalat sold and to soldMaroc to TelecomMaroc Telecom in 2014) in and 2014) KoZ and KoZ (owned (ownedby the Lebanese by the Lebanese Comium Comium Group)2 Group). 2. This highThis increase high increase in mobile in mobilephones phonesand internet and internet penetration penetration opened opened the door the to door various to various opportunitiesopportunities for mobile-related for mobile-related businesses businesses and a particularly and a particularly promising promising market marketfor service for servicesector sector applications.applications. Software Software systems systems are also are increasingly also increasingly sought aftersought across after variousacross variousindustries industries in order in order to enhanceto enhance customer customer experiences. experiences. The country The country also has also an hasimportant an important telecommunications telecommunications infrastructureinfrastructure giving it giving a comparative it a comparative advantage advantage in the region in the3 .region 3.

Ivory CoastIvory telecom Coast telecom sector -sector Market - MarketPenetration Penetration Rates (estimates) Rates (estimates) | 2014 | 2014

Source: ResearchSource: Researchand Markets and report Markets report

1. e-Government1. e-Government The IvoryThe Coast Ivory startedCoast startedits e-government its e-government initiatives initiatives in 2004 in by 2004 posting by postinginformation information online ononline on naturalization,naturalization, legal texts, legal surveystexts, surveys and documents and documents on immigration, on immigration, as well asas wella number as a number of of downloadabledownloadable forms4. formsIn 2011,4. In the 2011, Government the Government adopted adopted the e-GOUV the e-GOUV scheme, scheme, which consists which consists of of two majortwo axes;major e-Administration axes; e-Administration and e-Services and e-Services5. The SNDI5. The is SNDI also isworking also working to implement to implement ICT ICT solutionssolutions in all government in all government activities, activities, including including nance, nance, health care, health and care, education, and education, with the with goal the of goal of providing,providing, by the year by the 2020, year all 2020, government all government services services available available online in online developed in developed countries countries6. 6. Hence, Hence,the e-government the e-government subsector subsector is growing is growing at a rapid at arate rapid in therate Ivory in the Coast Ivory and Coast presents and presents an an abundanceabundance of potential of potential programs programs and applications and applications7. 7.

2. e-Agriculture2. e-Agriculture A comprehensiveA comprehensive national national e-agriculture e-agriculture strategy strategy document document was validated was validated in 2012. in This 2012. strategy This strategy has has the aim theof modernizingaim of modernizing the country’s the country’s agricultural agricultural sector andsector enhancing and enhancing its productivity: its productivity: increasing increasing the country’sthe country’s export ofexport cocoa, of cocoa,coffee andcoffee other and produce, other produce, and decreasing and decreasing food imports food imports8. The 8. The strategystrategy requires requires suitable suitable access accessto information to information services services and data and centers data centersas part asof partan ICT of an ICT packagepackage aiming toaiming make to real-time make real-time market marketinformation information systems systems available available via mobile via mobilephones phonesand and tablets9.tablets Esoko9 .is Esoko an Agriculture is an Agriculture mobile applicationsmobile applications used to usedmarket to informationmarket information for businesses for businesses and and

IV. SWOT Analysis of the Market private individualsprivate individuals in Ivory inCoast Ivory10 .Coast Partnering10. Partnering with the with government the government for the developmentfor the development of similar of similar programsprograms will be highlywill be pro table highly pro table since agriculture since agriculture is the biggest is the biggestsector in sector the Ivory in the Coast. Ivory Coast. Government efforts to boost the ICT sector Strengths Weaknesses Key transit station for neighboring countries Corruption The government formed new regulatory bodies and came up with initiatives to foster the ICT 3. e-Health3. e-Health Largest economy in West African Economic Sub-Optimal governance sector: and Monetary Union In countriesIn countries such as such the Ivoryas the Coast, Ivory whereCoast, the where number the number of mobile of phonesmobile phonessurpasses surpasses that of xedthat of xed lines, e-Healthlines, e-Health and m-Health and m-Health seem to seem be ato favorable be a favorable network network for medical for medical communication communication and and The Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) was established in Skilled Workforce healthcare.healthcare. However, However, only a fewonly applicationsa few applications are available are available at the moment.at the moment. One of Onethe mostof the most 2012 as a result of the merger of the Telecommunications Council of Côte d’Ivoire (CTCI) and the Rising consumer spending successfulsuccessful is the Duty is the Chemist Duty Chemist application, application, launched launched by Orange by OrangeHealthcare, Healthcare, which identi es which identi es the the Telecommunications Agency of Côte d’Ivoire (ATCI),in order to develop the digital economy and Strong levels of development spending closest closestpharmacies pharmacies to patients to patients via mobile via11 mobile. 11. expand the reach of ICT in the Ivory Coast . Dynamic and resourceful private sector The Agence Nationale du Service Universel des Télécommunications (ANSUT) was created to Free trade zone 4. e-Education4. e-Education ensure universal provision of telecommunications services for individuals and businesses. In 2014, Relatively good infrastructure KnowingKnowing that education that education remains remains the base the of base all development, of all development, the Ivorian the governmentIvorian government recognizes recognizes ANSUT planned an extensive expansion of its ber-optic network in order to generate an inux of that applicationsthat applications are scarce are inscarce this domain, in this domain, and is pushing and is pushing for e-Education for e-Education to become to become a pillar ina pillarthe in the e-solutions for a number of different sectors, including banking, health, and education services . Opportunities Threats nation. nation.An example An example of an e-Educationof an e-Education project projectis Mindset is Mindset Learn whichLearn deliverswhich delivers materials materials via via The Société Nationale de Développement Informatique (SNDI) is a government entity that seeks to 12 12 Several sectors have not reached their potential Sub-Optimal regulatory environment televisiontelevision and the and internet the internet for up-to-date for up-to-date and interactive and interactive learning learning. . support and provide assistance to organizations, communities, and private companies in all ICT Liberalized ICT sector Political instability related matters . Increasing need for ICT 5. e-Commerce5. e-Commerce Investors can also bene t from the Ivory Coast’s Free Trade Zone at Grand Bassam which is Growth of IT industry E-commerceE-commerce is on the is riseon thein Ivory rise inCoast, Ivory especiallyCoast, especially given the given country’s the country’s developed developed phone networkphone network dedicated to the telecommunications industry. Growth of FDI in new industries and highand mobile high mobilepenetration penetration rates. Inrates. 2013, In Millicom,2013, Millicom, a digital a servicesdigital services companies companies launched launched Hellofood,Hellofood, Jumia andJumia Kaymu, and Kaymu, three major three online major marketplacesonline marketplaces13. Other13 .companies Other companies such as such e-sis as e-sis (e-Société(e-Société Ivoirienne Ivoirienne de Service) de Service) are also are bene ting also bene ting from this from trend this and trend are andpromoting are promoting the adoption the adoption of e-commerceof e-commerce for retailers for retailers on their on website their website14. 14. V. Key Players Software: Sky Software, r-tworks, X-Ware SARL, Groupe Inova, Eburnis, Afrisofts 6. e-Banking6. e-Banking Telecom operators and systems integrators: Cote d’Ivoire Telecom, MTN, Alink Telecom The bankingThe banking and payments and payments sector issector one isof onethe mostof the promising most promising industries industries for service for servicesector sector Wireless telecom operators: MTN, Orange, MooV, KoZ, GreenN, Warid applications.applications. Over 40% Over of 40%the adult of the population adult population of the country of the country has a mobile has a moneymobile accountmoney account15. 15. Web design and development: Touwmi, Starsoft Informatique, Novafrica Web Agency, Ivoprest Five companiesFive companies launched launched their mobile their moneymobile servicemoney servicein Côte ind’Ivoire: Côte d’Ivoire: Orange, Orange, Mtn, Moov, Mtn, CelPaid Moov, CelPaid and Qashand services Qash services16 and offer16 and services offer services such as such money as transfer,money transfer, bill payments, bill payments, deposits deposits withdrawals, withdrawals, Lebanese companies operating in Ivory Coast: and salaryand payments. salary payments. KoZ Created in 2007. KoZ is owned by the Comium Group, a Lebanese-owned telecommunications 7. Cloud7. CloudComputing Computing company. The cloudThe computing cloud computing market marketoffers many offers investment many investment opportunities. opportunities. In 2012, In SlapOS 2012, SlapOS was selected was selected Sector of operations and activities: GSM technologies. KoZ was the rst to introduce voice by the Ministryby the Ministry of Interior of Interiorto power to its power data itscenter data and center provide and provideaccess accessto 10 precarious to 10 precarious applications applications messaging services in Ivory Coast and the rst to introduce concierge services in Africa. It also to 30,000to users.30,000 This users. was This the was rst thecommercial rst commercial success success of a similar of a servicesimilar servicein the Ivory in the Coast Ivory on Coast the on the experienced the fastest growth by any GSM operator in Ivory Coast. sovereignsovereign Cloud market, Cloud market, only 3 months only 3 monthsafter its aftercommercial its commercial introduction introduction17. 17. Contact info: Hassan Dhaini, Director General In 2013,In MTN 2013, announced MTN announced the extension the extension of its cloud of its services cloud services to Ivory toCoast Ivory18 .Coast18. Customers reach: 1.5 million customers

VI. Trade Fairs 2016

AFRICA IT TELECOM FORUM March 27 2016 www.i-conferences.org/africa-it-telecom-forum/

8 9 VII - How can IDAL help IDAL can provide a range of services to Lebanese-based companies wishing to grow their business in the Ivory Coast market. Apart from supporting the in¬ ow of investments, IDAL is also responsible as per its mandate, to assist in the support, promotion and marketing of Lebanese products. IDAL can provide practical support to Lebanese companies who wish to export their products abroad by providing services including the sponsorships for participations at international trade fairs. If you wish to expand into overseas markets, IDAL will help you overcome the barriers in new challenging markets. Through its market intelligence services, and constant participation in inward and outward trade missions. IDAL will also identify specifc business opportunities (outsourcing, joint ventures, …) and connect local ICT companies with the related international partners.

VIII. Useful Contacts Embassy of Lebanon in Ivory Coast Abidjan Tel: (225) 20 33 28 24/ (225) 20 33 25 96 www.ambaliban.ci

Investment Promotions Center in Cote d'Ivoire (CEPICI) Abidjan Tel: (225) 20 31 14 00 www.cepici.gouv.ci

Ivory Coast Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abidjan Tel: (225) 20 33 16 00 www.cci.ci

Ministry of Finance and Economy Abidjan Tel: (225) 20 30 50 90 / (225) 20 30 25 25 / (225) 20 30 50 98 www.finances.gouv.ci

Ministry of Commerce, Crafts and SME promotion Abidjan Tel : (225) 20 22 95 28 www.commerce.gouv.ci

Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Côte d'Ivoire (CCIL-CI) Abidjan Tel: (225) 21 26 22 12 www.ccilci.org

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