Ivory Coast and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Abidjan, a memorandum of understanding aimed at structuring the cultural and creative industries. Named “Côte d’Ivoire Orange 2035,” the initiative seeks to further transform artistic creation into jobs, businesses, and income.
The agreement was initialed by the Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, and the UNDP Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Blerta Cela. According to the official government portal, it aims to include the creative economy among the country’s economic transformation tools.
The program is specifically designed to strengthen the organization of stakeholders, entrepreneurship, and access to economic opportunities. It particularly targets young people, women, and vulnerable populations, with the aim of promoting decent and sustainable employment.
Data, training, and digital transformation
The Ministry of Culture identifies four priority areas of work: improving data on the sector, training for new professions, digital transformation, and mobilizing investments. A technical and monitoring committee is to support the implementation of the partnership.
This direction is part of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan. Its third pillar gives a place to culture in promoting private investment, the emergence of national champions, and the reduction of informality.
For Françoise Remarck, the initiative must serve as a reference framework for the Ivorian creative economy. Blerta Cela, for her part, emphasized the transformation of cultural potential into economic and social value, into competitive businesses and opportunities for professional integration.
