National validation workshop advances Ivory Coast’s long-term territorial development strategy
The Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DiarraSSouba, led a pivotal national workshop in Abidjan to validate the study for the National Territorial Planning Scheme (SNAT CI-2045). The gathering brought together key stakeholders including representatives from government institutions, local authorities, technical and financial partners, public administrations, the private sector, civil society, academia, experts, and media representatives.
This milestone paves the way for Ivory Coast’s first-ever national territorial planning benchmark. The SNAT CI-2045 will equip the government with a centralized framework to guide public and private investments, enhance the effectiveness of public policy, and promote balanced regional development.
Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, the government is reinforcing its strategic planning mechanisms to support the country’s economic, social, and environmental transformations. Territorial planning is central to this effort, enabling a fairer distribution of investments, unlocking regional potential, and strengthening the coherence of development policies.
SNAT CI-2045: a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive growth
The SNAT CI-2045 serves as the long-term spatial development blueprint, defining how public and private investments are strategically positioned across the country. It harmonizes state actions with local governance and development actors by assigning specific roles to each region, ensuring a more coordinated and purposeful approach to growth.
As Dr. DiarraSSouba emphasized, “The National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030 sets mid-term priorities and investments for national development. The SNAT CI-2045 translates these into a long-term territorial vision and will underpin future National Development Plans. Together, these frameworks ensure cohesive public action across the entire territory. Our mission, as the ministry responsible for territorial planning and regional development, is to secure a place for every territory in the nation’s development journey.”
Five strategic axes to transform Ivory Coast’s future
The validated framework results from a comprehensive, multi-level participatory process grounded in scientific analysis. It addresses critical challenges such as reducing regional disparities, managing urban expansion, boosting territorial competitiveness, improving local governance, preserving natural resources, and deepening regional integration.
The SNAT CI-2045 envisions a resilient, competitive Ivory Coast where shared prosperity thrives. It is structured around five core pillars:
- Balanced territorial development to close regional gaps
- Efficient urban-rural networks to improve connectivity and accessibility
- Strengthened territorial governance for better decision-making and accountability
- High-performance, resilient, and inclusive economy to drive sustainable growth
- Accelerated climate transition to build climate-resilient communities
Following the workshop, the draft scheme will be submitted to the government and then presented to Parliament for adoption into law. Once enacted, Ivory Coast will have its first national territorial planning framework, guiding state investments toward the areas where they will have the greatest impact and fostering balanced national development.