Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau strengthen digital and media cooperation

Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, Ibrahim Kalil Konate has received Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Social Communication, Florentino Fernando Dias in a high-level meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in the digital and media sectors. The meeting, held in Abidjan, highlighted the shared commitment of both nations to leverage digital technologies as a strategic lever for development and innovation.

Minister Dias was accompanied by Sané Mamasalim, Director General of the National Radio Broadcasting of Guinea-Bissau, and two technical advisers from Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Communication. The discussions focused on areas of mutual interest, including digital cooperation, media digitization, and the exchange of best practices in implementing digital public policies.

One of the key topics of discussion was Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing transition to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), a process in which the country has expressed keen interest in learning from Côte d’Ivoire’s successful experience. Côte d’Ivoire has been a regional leader in the implementation of DTT, a project spearheaded by its Ministry of Communication, which has significantly improved access to digital media and enhanced the quality of broadcasting services.

Minister Konaté expressed his willingness to support Guinea-Bissau in its DTT transition, emphasizing the importance of a global and concerted framework for collaboration. “We are committed to working with our brothers in Guinea-Bissau to share our experiences and expertise in digital transformation. Together, we can achieve a successful transition to DTT and unlock new opportunities for media and communication in both countries,” he said.

The meeting between the two ministers builds on a foundation of strong South-South cooperation in digital development. The minister conveyed greetings from Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Digital Transition, recalling their recent participation in the launch of Senegal’s digital strategy, the New Deal, in Dakar. During that event, both ministers had emphasized the importance of successful South-South collaboration in driving digital transformation across the region.

He expressed his admiration for Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in digitalization, particularly in addressing white areas (regions with limited connectivity), developing digital infrastructure, and implementing strategic initiatives, and highlighted Guinea-Bissau’s intention to draw inspiration from Côte d’Ivoire’s experiences, challenges, and strategies to adapt best practices to its own context.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye