Côte d’Ivoire’s national territorial plan 2045 takes shape with landmark validation workshop

In a decisive move toward long-term national development, Côte d’Ivoire has reached a critical milestone in the validation of its National Territorial Development Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The pivotal workshop, held in Abidjan under the leadership of Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA, Minister of Planning and Development, brought together key stakeholders including government institutions, prefectural officials, local authorities, technical and financial partners, public administrations, the private sector, civil society, academia, experts, and media representatives.

This landmark gathering marks the first step toward adopting Côte d’Ivoire’s inaugural national territorial planning reference. The SNAT CI-2045 is set to provide the nation with a robust framework to guide sustainable public and private investments, enhance the efficiency of government initiatives, and promote balanced territorial growth across the country.

Under the strategic vision of President Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian government is advancing a comprehensive national planning strategy to support economic, social, and environmental transformations. Central to this vision is territorial planning, which aims to distribute investments more equitably, unlock regional potential, and strengthen the coherence of development policies.

The SNAT CI-2045 will serve as the cornerstone for spatial organization over the next two decades. It will define the strategic placement of public and private investments while fostering collaboration between the state, local governments, and development actors. Each region will be assigned specific roles to ensure tailored and sustainable progress.

Dr. Souleymane DIARRASSOUBA emphasized the framework’s significance: « The National Development Plan (PND 2026-2030) sets medium-term priorities and investments to drive national growth. The SNAT CI-2045 translates these priorities into a territorial strategy, ensuring long-term alignment and serving as the foundation for future National Development Plans. Together, these frameworks ensure cohesive public action across the entire nation. Our mission as the Ministry in charge of Territorial Planning and Regional Development is to secure each territory’s rightful place in the national development agenda. »

The validated orientations represent the culmination of a meticulous, multi-scale consultation process grounded in scientific analysis and broad participation. These orientations address critical challenges: reducing regional disparities, managing urban expansion, boosting territorial competitiveness, improving local governance, preserving natural resources, and strengthening regional integration.

The SNAT CI-2045 envisions a Côte d’Ivoire where all territories are resilient, competitive, and prosperous. It is structured around five strategic pillars: balanced territorial development, an optimized urban-rural network, enhanced territorial governance, a high-performance and inclusive economy, and accelerated climate transition.

Following the workshop, the draft plan will be submitted to the government before being presented to Parliament for adoption as the law establishing the National Territorial Development Framework. Once enacted, Côte d’Ivoire will possess its first national territorial planning reference, guiding state action to channel investments toward areas with the greatest impact while fostering balanced nationwide development.