Côte d’Ivoire Bets on AI to Grow Tourism, Now 8.7% of Its Economy

Côte d'Ivoire is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and data to revamp its tourism industry, aiming to create more personalized trips and reduce reliance on cocoa, which has historically been the country's primary export. The national tourism strategy, known as Sublime Côte d'Ivoire, will prioritize digital transformation in its second generation, slated for 2026 to 2030.

Tourism Minister Siandou Fofana emphasized the need to embrace technological change rather than merely endure it. In 2025, Côte d'Ivoire saw over 6.7 million visitors, which contributed 8.7% to the country's GDP. The ministry also reported that the tourism sector generated more than 650,000 jobs between 2018 and 2025, with nearly 87,000 hotel rooms.

A centralised national eTourism platform, proposed by US company Cybastion, is expected to go live by the end of 2026. This platform aims to streamline the booking process, include a rating system, and offer data-driven insights. However, concerns persist about the potential for external control over the collected tourism data. The AI-driven tourism push is part of a broader digital agenda, with the government launching a 2026–2028 digital roadmap comprising seven pillars and 40 projects, five of which focus on AI.

The project aligns with a larger trend of foreign technology firms entering African digital policies, though it remains to be seen how successful these initiatives will be in transforming Abidjan into a regional technology hub and whether they will create the intended jobs and economic benefits.