Digital growth in Côte d’Ivoire is changing both how systems work and who is involved. The shift increasingly highlights the visibility of women, not as marginal participants, but as influential figures shaping the usage and understanding of digital media.
Eric Biantuadi, bird story agency
In a brightly lit, white-walled gallery, a woman gazes at a vertical portrait with a pale green background behind a dark, stylised figure that appears to be wearing a mask or a ceremonial headpiece featuring a distinct cross-like structure. A look of recognition flitters across her face before she moves on.
Digital activist, media entrepreneur, and public voice, Edith Brou Bleu is staying up to date with the latest works on display in physical galleries in Abidjan. It is important for her to stay in touch because she is helping build a digital world that needs be stay abreast of creative, cultural, tech and business trends.
“It’s a sector that evolves very quickly. What you learned yesterday can already be outdated,”
Brou explained.
Brou’s work focuses on democratizing information and amplifying women’s visibility online. Her path began with a clear focus on communication when she co-founded Ayana Webzine, one of the country’s first online platforms dedicated to women’s issues.
At the time, there were few digital spaces tailored to the female experience; Ayana filled that gap with stories on health, work, and everyday life, creating a space where women could finally see their realities reflected and discussed.
Over time, Brou expanded her reach beyond publishing, using social media to engage a wider audience with content ranging from social commentary to high-impact public awareness campaigns.
One of her most notable initiatives, “Mousser contre Ebola,” leveraged digital tools to disseminate critical public health information during a regional crisis. For Brou, digital media is more than just a megaphone, it is a tool for coordination and public engagement.
“A strong idea always comes before action. You need to know where you are going, build networks, and create value,” she said.
She emphasizes that influence isn’t just about audience size, but about how information is used. This requires constant evolution, as she noted:
“You have to stay curious, patient, and consistent.”
Brou’s visibility is part of a larger surge in tech talent across the continent. According to the e-Conomy Africa report by Google and the IFC, Africa had nearly 700,000 professional developers by 2020, with the digital economy forecast to be worth US$712 billion by 2050.
Data from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that Africa’s developer population grew by 21% annually between 2019 and 2024—the strongest growth rate of any continent.
In Côte d’Ivoire, much of this growth is being steered by women who view technology as an equalizer. For Karine Oulaté Karim, CEO of OK’Digital Communication and a seasoned cybersecurity trainer, the internet has dismantled traditional geographical barriers.
“Through digital technology, we can access the same education as developed countries. Even from a remote village, you can showcase your talent globally. You don’t need plane tickets anymore. From your room, you can present your work to people in China or the U.S. within seconds,” Karim said.
Karim observes that Côte d’Ivoire has become a digital hub where women are asserting themselves and inspiring others across Africa.
“They are no longer afraid. Digital tools give them independence, they can showcase their skills without relying on anyone. It empowers them,” she added.
This shift is also tangible at the grassroots level through structured learning environments like Digifemmes in Abidjan, which provides technical training paired with peer support. For Koulaï Guelanin Reine Armande, 28, a coding program led by Edith Brou Bleu was a definitive turning point.
Initially reserved, Armande found that mastering digital skills required personal growth alongside technical proficiency, involving public speaking and group collaboration.
“I had to learn how to express myself. At first, it was difficult. But over time, I became more comfortable and started to see what I could do. Those who understood faster helped the others. Later, I also began to teach. That’s when I realised I could support others too,” Armande said.
This sentiment of continuous evolution is echoed by Coulibaly N’Ganyoh Gbon, another beneficiary of the program who views her journey as a testament to the power of continuous learning.
“When I look at where I started and where I am now, I see the difference. I am still learning, but I know I can continue,” Gbon said.
Today, Gbon has moved from student to practitioner, leveraging her expertise to inspire the next wave of talent by teaching others how to code.
The digital landscape in Côte d’Ivoire is no longer restricted to specialized technical roles; it now encompasses a vibrant world of content creation, communication, and education.
While Edith Brou Bleu’s work provides a vital reference point for young women, the journey remains ongoing. Access to training is still uneven, and the digital divide persists, but initiatives like Ayana Webzine and Digifemmes continue to provide the necessary entry points.
As these smaller changes build over time, they are creating a robust digital ecosystem where women are not just participants, but the architects of a new regional pattern. In the streets of Abidjan and across social feeds, the results are clear: the digital space is being redefined, one line of code and one story at a time.
