Côte d'Ivoire Approves Starlink Services and $170 Million Data Center Projects

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Following a visit by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank R. Garcia to Côte d'Ivoire from July 15 to 16, the country's government approved several digital infrastructure projects, including Starlink low-Earth orbit satellite services and a sovereign national data center.

According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire, Garcia's visit led to the final approval by the Ivorian government for Starlink operations, with the service expected to provide internet access to underserved and unconnected areas across the country.

The Ivorian government also authorized U.S. cybersecurity company Cybastion to advance a $170 million project to build a sovereign national data center, a government digital platform, and a smart border surveillance system. The project is funded by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Garcia stated that Cybastion and Cisco are working with the U.S. Embassy to "deepen U.S. engagement in Côte d'Ivoire's growing digital sector."

During his visit, Garcia also confirmed that ABD Group had reached an agreement to implement a $293 million healthcare infrastructure program in Côte d'Ivoire. This program is the first major project under a $570 million infrastructure framework agreement signed between ABD Group and the Ivorian government in Washington in April, covering healthcare, education, and water resources.

Meanwhile, U.S. technology logistics company NTELX signed a contract with the Greater Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to deploy NTELX's truck coordination technology at the Port of Abidjanto as part of the modernization of Côte d'Ivoire's trade infrastructure.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires in Côte d'Ivoire, Junaid Munir, noted that Assistant Secretary Garcia's visit was decisive in facilitating these key commercial transactions that align with the mutual interests of the United States and Côte d'Ivoire.