A new publication to guide, train, and inspire young Ivorians towards opportunities offered by the digital sector.

To improve access to Côte d’Ivoire’s digital sector, the “Osez le numérique !” guide supported by Invest for Jobs provides a roadmap of careers, practical training resources, and stories from women in tech to open the way to a more inclusive and competitive digital future. It aims to transform sustainable access to jobs and innovation.

Digital transformation is now a major driver of economic and social development in Côte d'Ivoire, already accounting for over 6 per cent of the nation’s GDP, with women making up nearly 38 per cent of the ICT workforce. However, progress towards a fully inclusive digital landscape is still challenged by gender stereotypes, limited training access, and low female representation in startups and tech entrepreneurship. The “Osez le numérique !” (Dare to go digital!) guide was created to counter these barriers and foster diversity. It offers young people, especially women, practical keys for entering digital careers: maps of the most in-demand professions, orientation tips, an overview of different career paths, and inspiring stories from Ivorian leaders.

The guide covers:

• The main obstacles to women’s participation (stereotypes, lack of role models, institutional challenges),
• Solutions for overcoming barriers at educational, professional, and entrepreneurial levels,
• Recommendations for policymakers and employers to build inclusive workplace cultures,
• A glossary of tech jobs with essential skills and guidance on developing soft skills.

Launched in partnership with associations like Abidjanaises In Tech and under the umbrella of the FORPRODE project (private-sector job offer-oriented professional development project), supported by Invest for Jobs and implemented by GIZ, this guide is co-financed by the European Union and BMZ. It reinforces FORPRODE’s role in catalysing an open, sustainable digital ecosystem. Numerous experts, entrepreneurs, and female role models contributed their experience and strategies for overcoming issues like the imposter syndrome (the feeling of inadequacy despite evident success) and establishing a place in tech to the guide.

Recent statistics reveal that Côte d’Ivoire has 35 million internet users and over 7 million social media accounts, but digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, remains a barrier for women and youth. The guide proposes innovative strategies to democratise training, including mobile initiatives and public-private partnerships. It also calls for stronger women's networks, easier access to financing, and the advancement of mentorship.

In the next upcoming months, a dissemination campaign will be organised by the implementation team of FORPRODE, to raise awareness and train “multipliers”, focusing on schools, universities, and SMEs so that recommendations from the guide reach as many people as possible.

By championing a collaborative, inclusive approach, “Osez le numérique !” offers a reference tool for building an economy that welcomes all talent, fights discrimination, and prepares Côte d’Ivoire for new challenges in innovation, including information access, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and e-health. 

Download the guide

Or request a print copy from the project team by email at: cote-ivoire@invest-for-jobs.com. Every share helps open new horizons for youth and women in Côte d’Ivoire’s digital future.