Africa Gate to Growth Forum 2025: Ministry of Digital Transition Supports Ivorian Start-Ups to Silicon Valley
As part of its goal to make Côte d'Ivoire the technological hub of West Africa, 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 initiative was officially launched on January 16 in Abidjan-Plateau, in the presence of Inza Camara, the Ivorian Consul in New York.
The initiative is a platform for exchanges and collaboration with Silicon Valley players to gradually transform Ivorian start-ups into true unicorns—start-ups worth up to one billion US dollars (approximately 650 billion FCFA). This immersion trip to the heart of global innovation 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. Therefore, I can assure you of Minister Kalil Konaté's full support,” said Stéphane Coulibaly, Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization.
For his part, Olivier Avoa, Director-General of Digital Transformation and Digitalization, explained that this initiative aims to “become 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, have a strong impact on the lives of the population, economic activities, and many other aspects of our life.”
Ésaïe Diéi, CEO of the start-up Afrinovatec and moderator of the subsequent panel, expressed gratitude on behalf of the organizers, saying, “We are very proud that the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization has provided institutional support for our start-ups to make this trip.”
Out of the 30 start-ups, investors, and other innovation ecosystem players selected to travel to Silicon Valley, 10 will receive full coverage (including airfare, logistics, and accommodation) starting from January 20.