In a bold move to prepare the next generation for a digital future, Côte d’Ivoire will introduce Information and Communication Technologies in Education (ICTE) at pre-primary and elementary levels beginning next school year. The announcement was made by Education Minister Professor Mariatou Koné during a high-level meeting with the World Bank on Monday.
The reform, stemming from the General Assembly on National Education and Literacy (EGENA), represents a major shift in Ivorian education policy. With World Bank support, the initiative will expose children as young as preschool age to digital tools, cultivating digital literacy from their formative years.
“This strategic integration of technology in early education lays the groundwork for digital citizenship and equips our youth with future-ready skills,” stated Minister Koné during the session at Abidjan Technical High School. The move follows the successful introduction of ICTE in secondary schools earlier this year. 
The meeting also showcased the CIRA initiative, an ambitious cross-ministerial program designed to: Harmonize education sector strategies, Enhance program effectiveness, Train 1.1 million Ivorian youth
Minister Koné emphasized, “By aligning our ministries’ efforts, we’re creating cohesive pathways from classroom to career, ultimately boosting youth employability.”
This digital education expansion places Côte d’Ivoire among African pioneers in systemic ed-tech integration. The approach, Early Exposure, Building tech familiarity before secondary school, Holistic Development, Combining digital skills with traditional learning, Global Competitiveness, Preparing students for 21st-century challenges
Education experts highlight the reform’s potential to reduce digital divides while cautioning about implementation challenges like teacher training and infrastructure needs.
As classrooms prepare for this digital transformation, all eyes will be on Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitious attempt to redefine foundational education in the digital age.
