Since its inception in 2004, VITIB has aimed to position Ivory Coast as a key player in technological innovation. Now, it's intensifying efforts to attract strategic investments and evolve into a leading technology hub in West Africa.

The Information Technology and Biotechnology Village (VITIB), situated in Grand-Bassam,  Côte d’Ivoire, is intensifying its drive to secure $311 million (180 billion CFA francs) to fund its development blueprint through 2028. The initiative aims to transform its special economic zone into a comprehensive technology hub, spurring innovation and economic expansion across West Africa.

To this end, a VITIB delegation recently travelled to India for discussions with investors and prospective collaborators. Conversations focused on investment prospects within the park, infrastructure development, modalities for industrial and financial alliances, and the incorporation of cutting-edge technological solutions. Among the entities engaged were AXL, OKAYA Group, and representatives from the Export-Import Bank of India.

"India occupies a significant chapter in VITIB's history. Shortly after its inception,  Côte d’Ivoire’s first technology park benefited from crucial financial backing through a loan from Exim Bank of India, which facilitated the construction of essential infrastructure. As a tribute to this partnership, a section of the technology park was named after Mahatma Gandhi," VITIB stated.

Spanning more than 600 hectares, VITIB is organized into three distinct zones: manufacturing, administrative, and residential. It is home to pioneering enterprises in the fields of information technology and biotechnology. It provides a favorable tax climate, featuring a five-year tax holiday followed by a lowered rate, alongside contemporary infrastructure such as data centers, fiber-optic connectivity, and a single-window service streamlining business establishment.

Its strategic roadmap aims to generate 40,000 skilled employment opportunities and attract $1.6 billion (1,000 billion CFA francs) in foreign direct investment. VITIB thereby aspires to establish  Côte d’Ivoire as West Africa’s technological vanguard by cultivating an environment that fosters innovation and competitiveness.

This promotional tour in India forms part of a wider campaign to raise the profile of the technology park, draw new participants from the technology and biotechnology sectors, and investigate novel financing avenues. Leveraging its established relationship with India, VITIB seeks to inject fresh impetus into its project and solidify Grand-Bassam's position as a pivotal innovation hub in Africa.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji