If you’ve been wondering whether Ivory Coast is finally serious about digital startups, the short answer is increasingly: yes… and maybe a little theatrically. After years of promising reforms and sporadic support, the government has launched a suite of measures designed to make starting a digital company in Côte d’Ivoire less like navigating a minefield and more like a carefully paved runway.
At the heart of this initiative is Article 35 of the 2026 Finance Law, promulgated on December 19, 2025, which introduces a new tax regime for certified digital startups. The goal: stimulate innovation, attract investment, and — if we are being optimistic — give entrepreneurs a fighting chance to scale without drowning in paperwork and taxes.
“These measures offer certified digital startups tax exemptions and financial benefits for three years, as well as preferential access to public procurement and financing, enabling them to scale up across the country,” explained Marthe Kouaho Traoré of the CGECI’s Legal and Tax Commission during an information session in Abidjan on January 7.
The law is not just a tax holiday disguised as a PR stunt. It creates the “Digital Startup” label, valid for up to five years, with associated incentives for three years post-certification. Companies outside the VITIB free zone — because of course you can’t leave anyone out — also benefit, ensuring support is more equitable across the country.
Ivory Coast’s Startup Act: More Than Just Tax Breaks
The 2026 measures build on Law №2023–901, the 2023 Startup Act, which formally came into force in January 2024. The legislation established a framework to promote innovation among young companies, offering:
- Tax exemptions: from corporate income tax, flat-rate micro-enterprise contributions, banking transaction taxes, and interest-related taxes.
- Preferential access to public procurement: because a guaranteed buyer is always nice.
- Support structures: mentorship, training, networking, and regulatory sandboxes for experimentation.
Startups qualifying for the Label Startup Numérique must be majority Ivorian-owned, innovative, scalable, and capable of demonstrating impact — job creation, revenue, or some combination thereof. Early-stage ventures can opt for a pre-label, allowing access to certain benefits while still developing.
The government even built a dedicated online portal for applications, ensuring that the bureaucracy is only slightly less intimidating than sending a rocket to the moon. Evaluation is handled by a Labeling Committee under the Ministry of Digital Economy, which promises merit-based and transparent decision-making.
CDC-CI Capital: Public Money Meets Startup Ambition
Legal frameworks aside, Côte d’Ivoire isn’t just talking the talk — it is also deploying capital through CDC-CI Capital, a state-backed investment fund with approximately CFA 38 billion (~$63 million) under management.
Recent investments include:
- Julaya: CFA 800 million (~$1.4 million) via convertible bonds into this payments startup, which now serves over 1,000 clients.
- Ades: CFA 350 million (~$620,500) equity injection to expand its healthtech platform UMED.
- Djamo: CFA 800 million (~$1.3 million) to support financial inclusion initiatives for underbanked populations.
Exporting Ivory Coast’s Tech Talent
Not content with local support, the government also wants to give its startups a taste of Europe. Ten Ivorian startups are currently attending a two-week immersion at Station F in Paris, organised by CDC-CI Capital with HEC Paris and World Bank backing.
The cohort was selected from 324 applicants through the Startup Pathway initiative, a program aiming to connect West African founders with European investors and expertise. The startups operate across digital health, agritech, electric mobility, natural cosmetics, infant nutrition, edtech, and digital technology.
The programme combines acceleration workshops, strategic mentoring, expert meetings, and a Demo Day. A follow-on four-month acceleration in Abidjan ensures that these companies don’t return home with just fancy coffee meetings and a stack of business cards.
Structural Challenges Remain
Despite the fanfare, structural hurdles remain. Growth-stage capital between $500,000 and $5 million is scarce. Most foreign VCs prefer Lagos, Nairobi, or Cape Town. Francophone West Africa is still largely off their radar, leaving public funds like CDC-CI to play a critical role in bridging the gap.
The real test will be whether these programs translate into sustainable growth and follow-on private investment. Paris immersion may look impressive on LinkedIn, but actual capital flows will ultimately decide the success of this ambitious push.
Why It Matters
Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts signal a shift in attitude: digital startups are no longer seen as boutique hobbies — they are considered engines for economic growth, job creation, and technological modernization. The combination of legal certainty, financial incentives, mentorship, and international exposure positions Ivory Coast as a promising frontier for entrepreneurs willing to navigate the system.
For investors and founders, the message is clear: Ivory Coast is opening its doors, and this time, it has brought tax incentives, capital, and a small parade of European exposure. Whether that is enough to attract serious venture capital remains to be seen — but for now, the country is finally giving startups a chance to thrive, not just survive.
Key Takeaways for Founders:
- Get the Label Startup Numérique: It’s your ticket to tax breaks, public procurement preference, and regulatory leeway.
- Leverage CDC-CI Capital: State-backed investments are available, but know that follow-on private capital is still limited.
- Consider international exposure: Programs like Station F can help with strategic mentorship and investor connections, but results vary.
- Plan for the long game: Structural challenges remain; success requires navigating both the incentives and the limitations of the local ecosystem.