According to a report by the Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications /TIC de Côte d'Ivoire (ARTCI), the country's telecommunications sector recorded a revenue of 360.1 billion FCFA in the third quarter of 2026. This represents a 9.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The growth is attributed to a significant increase in digital usage, with internet mobile subscriptions rising by 11.2% to 41.4 million and internet fixed subscriptions surging by 59.9% to 1,090,434.
The ARTCI report highlights that the growth in internet subscriptions is driven by increasing demand for connectivity and the diversification of internet access methods, including the introduction of Starlink, which offers satellite internet services. The report also notes that the total internet traffic increased by 54.7% to 1,762 million gigabytes, with 63% of the traffic generated by fixed internet. This growth is accompanied by an expansion of infrastructure, including 38,915 km of fiber optic cables and 6,090 Gbps of submarine cable capacity.
Despite the growth in internet subscriptions, traditional telephony services showed limited growth. Mobile subscriptions increased by only 0.8% to 60.9 million, while fixed telephony subscriptions declined by 3.8% to 227,818. However, mobile money services continued to show strong growth, with 32.5 million active mobile accounts, representing a 13.6% increase.
The ARTCI report also highlights the sector's employment trends, with 2,949 direct jobs, representing an increase of 66 jobs over the past year. The sector's workforce is predominantly male, with 66% of employees being men. The report suggests that the growth in the sector is driven more by the intensification of network exploitation than by the expansion of the workforce.
The growth of the telecommunications sector in Côte d'Ivoire is driven primarily by the expansion of internet services, increased data traffic, and the development of digital services. The sector's traditional telephony services are gradually reaching maturity. The ARTCI report notes that the data published is based on declarations from telecommunications operators and service providers, with some data subject to verification and potential updates.
The report also highlights the ongoing efforts to develop the country's digital infrastructure, with investments in the sector reaching 105.8 billion FCFA, representing a 3.0% increase. The development of digital services is expected to continue driving growth in the sector, with a focus on expanding internet access and improving the quality of services.
In conclusion, the telecommunications sector in Côte d'Ivoire continues to show significant growth, driven by the expansion of internet services and the development of digital infrastructure. The sector's growth is expected to continue, driven by increasing demand for connectivity and the diversification of internet access methods.
Key points
- The telecommunications sector in Côte d'Ivoire recorded a revenue of 360.1 billion FCFA in Q3 2026, representing a 9.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
- Internet mobile subscriptions rose by 11.2% to 41.4 million, while internet fixed subscriptions surged by 59.9% to 1,090,434.
- The sector's workforce is predominantly male, with 66% of employees being men.
