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Africa Gate to Growth Forum 2025: The Ministry of Digital Transition Supports Ivorian Start-ups to Silicon Valley

Africa Gate to Growth Forum 2025: The Ministry of Digital Transition Supports Ivorian Start-ups to Silicon Valley

Africa Gate to Growth Forum 2025: The Ministry of Digital Transition Supports Ivorian Start-ups to Silicon Valley

As part of its ambition to make Côte d'Ivoire the technological hub of the West African sub-region, the Government, through the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization, has provided institutional support to help Ivorian start-ups travel to Silicon Valley, USA. This was announced at the official launch of the Africa Gate to Growth Forum 2025 on January 16, held in Abidjan-Plateau, in the presence of Inza Camara, Consul of Côte d'Ivoire in New York.

This initiative aims to create a platform for exchange and collaboration with actors in Silicon Valley, with the goal of transforming Ivorian start-ups into true unicorns—start-ups valued at up to one billion US dollars (approximately 650 billion FCFA). The immersion trip to the global innovation hub is jointly organized by the law firm CLKA and the start-ups Afrinovatech and Africa Fintech.

“This initiative will have a significant impact on the Ivorian economy. That’s why I can assure you of Minister Kalil Konaté’s full support,” said Stéphane Coulibaly, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization.

Olivier Avoa, Director General of Digital Transformation and Digitalization, explained that the initiative is about “becoming part of the start-up ecosystem in Silicon Valley to learn, get inspired, and return with relevant solutions tailored to our environment, to transform our economy, deeply impact the lives of our people, economic activities, and many other aspects of our daily lives.”

Ésaïe Diéi, CEO of the start-up Afrinovatec and moderator of the subsequent panel, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organizers. “We are very proud that the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization has provided institutional support for our start-ups to make this trip,” he said.

Of the 30 start-ups, investors, and other innovation ecosystem stakeholders selected as of January 20, 10 will receive full coverage (including airfare, logistics, accommodation, etc.) for their trip to Silicon Valley.