This week marked a pivotal moment for Côte d’Ivoire’s future spatial organization. Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, Minister of Planning and Development, led a landmark national workshop in Abidjan to validate the study for the National Territorial Development Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The high-level gathering brought together top officials, prefects, local authorities, technical partners, private sector leaders, civil society representatives, academics, experts, and media professionals.
This validation step paves the way for the adoption of Côte d’Ivoire’s first-ever national territorial planning blueprint. Once finalized, the SNAT CI-2045 will serve as the cornerstone for guiding public and private investments, enhancing the efficiency of government action, and fostering balanced regional growth across the country.
Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, the Government continues to strengthen its strategic planning framework to support the country’s economic, social, and environmental transformation. Territorial planning plays a central role in this vision by promoting fairer investment distribution, unlocking regional potential, and aligning development policies with local realities.
The SNAT CI-2045 will define the spatial organization of long-term development, structure the placement of public and private investments, and harmonize efforts between the State, local governments, and development stakeholders. Each region will be assigned specific development roles tailored to its unique strengths and challenges.
Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA emphasized the critical link between the framework and national development: « The 2026–2030 National Development Plan (NDP) sets medium-term priorities and investments. The SNAT CI-2045 translates these into territorial strategies for the long term and will underpin future National Development Plans. Together, these frameworks ensure cohesive public action across the nation. As the ministry responsible for territorial planning and regional development, our mission is to ensure every part of Côte d’Ivoire contributes meaningfully to national progress. »
The validated orientations reflect a rigorous, participatory, and multi-scale consultation process. They are grounded in a comprehensive national territory assessment and address key challenges: reducing regional disparities, managing urban expansion, boosting territorial competitiveness, improving local governance, preserving natural resources, and deepening regional integration.
The SNAT CI-2045 embodies a vision of a Côte d’Ivoire where every territory is resilient, competitive, and shares in shared prosperity. It is structured around five strategic pillars:
- Balanced territorial development to close regional gaps
- Streamlined rural and urban networks for greater efficiency
- Strengthened territorial governance and institutional capacity
- High-performance, resilient, and inclusive economic growth
- Accelerated climate transition and environmental sustainability
Following the workshop, the draft framework will be submitted to the Government, then to Parliament for adoption under the National Territorial Development Act. Once enacted, Côte d’Ivoire will have its first-ever national territorial planning reference, guiding State action to channel investments toward areas where they can deliver the greatest impact and drive balanced national development.
