By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Côte d’Ivoire and European
artificial intelligence company Mistral have strengthened cooperation on the
development and deployment of AI solutions tailored to the country’s national
priorities.
The Ministry of Digital
Transition and Technological Innovation (MTNIT) and Mistral signed a strategic
partnership, in Abidjan to support the development of artificial intelligence
applications adapted to the needs of the Ivorian state, businesses and
citizens.
Under the partnership, the
two parties will undertake a study and strategic audit of Côte d’Ivoire’s
national artificial intelligence ecosystem. The exercise will map existing
actors and resources, assess available data and infrastructure and identify areas
where AI can provide practical solutions to national challenges.
The study will focus on
priority sectors including public administration, health, education,
agriculture and services to the population. Its findings are expected to inform
an operational roadmap setting out the conditions required for deploying AI
solutions and developing high-impact pilot projects.
To strengthen the focus on
local conditions, Mistral will work with Artefact Côte d’Ivoire, a local entity
of the Artefact Group specialising in data and artificial intelligence
consulting.
The collaboration is
expected to combine technological and strategic expertise to support the
development of Côte d’Ivoire’s AI ecosystem and ensure that emerging solutions
respond to local needs.
The partnership forms part
of the government’s broader digital transformation programme and contributes to
the artificial intelligence pillar of the Digital Roadmap 2026–2028, which
includes 40 structuring projects.
It also supports the
objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2026–2030, which seeks to use
technology to transform public action and strengthen the competitiveness of the
Ivorian economy.
The findings from the audit
will also contribute to discussions at the “IMPACT AI” conference, scheduled
for September 9 to 11, 2026, in Abidjan.
The conference, organised by
the MTNIT at Latrille Events under the High Patronage of the Prime Minister, is
expected to bring together nearly 200 public and private decision-makers and
international partners to examine practical applications of artificial
intelligence in sectors including administration, agriculture, health and
education.
