Agricultural entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire are turning to digital tools to boost productivity, traceability, and market access. A new ITC-led initiative is linking small agri-businesses with local digital service providers so they can take advantage of these new tools.
Eleven agricultural businesses explored how digital tools can strengthen their business operations during a week of training and matchmaking sessions from 18 to 22 August, organized by the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme.
The activity brought together 18 participants. Fourteen came from small businesses, with seven led by women and five led by youth. Four participants came from business support organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Chamber of Agriculture of Côte d’Ivoire. The goal was to help the businesses integrate digital solutions for production, stock management, and traceability, while fostering stronger local partnerships for long-term impact.
The week began with a training session led by ADIMO Partners, a local consulting firm, together with ITC’s Agri Matchmaking Specialist. Participants discussed the strategic and operational benefits of digitalization for agribusinesses and reviewed practical examples of digital tools already used in the Ivorian market. These solutions, developed by West African technology companies for local agribusinesses, reflect a growing capacity to design context-relevant innovations.
Energy from the morning carried into the afternoon, when a networking session brought together small businesses, business support organizations, and digital service providers. The informal exchanges set the stage for the matchmaking meetings that followed in the days ahead, giving participants a first look at the technologies available to support their growth.
Over the next four days, 22 one-on-one meetings were held in Abidjan, Bonoua, Adiaké and Bouaké between the businesses and five local digital service providers. These discussions explored tailored solutions covering traceability, stock management, financial tracking, and market access. Some providers also conducted additional analytical sessions to fine-tune their proposals.
An evaluation conducted after the training showed that 89% of respondents — including 50% women and 31% youth — reported a stronger understanding of the benefits of digitalization for agribusinesses and of regional trade dynamics. Participants described the activity as practical and inspiring, highlighting ITC’s role in helping reduce barriers to digital adoption.
Following the meeting, digital service providers submitted tailored technical and financial proposals to the businesses they engaged with. A pilot phase will now be rolled out, enabling the enterprises to test and adopt the proposed digital solutions that best match their needs and business objectives. The activity revealed both the growing appetite for innovation among Ivorian agri-businesses and the power of collaboration between business support institutions and digital service providers to advance inclusive agricultural trade in West Africa.
About the project
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the ECOWAS Agricultural Trade (EAT) Programme is a special One World – No Hunger initiative dedicated to strengthening regional integration through intraregional agricultural trade in the ECOWAS region. GIZ, the German development agency, is the main implementing agency, with OECD/SWAC and ITC as partners, collaborating with the ECOWAS Commission with the directorates responsible for agriculture and rural development, trade, customs, free movement of people, and the Gender Development Center. The programme's central objective is to enhance the capacity and services of regional and national organizations, with a particular emphasis on improving agrifood policies, sustainability, gender sensitivity, trade facilitation inclusivity, and active engagement with small businesses and professional associations in the sector.
18 August 2025, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire – Donald Anani, ITC Agri Matchmaking Specialist, delivering a presentation on how digital tools can improve agricultural business operations, with participants listening attentively.
18 August 2025, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire – Donald Anani, ITC Agri Matchmaking Specialist, delivering a presentation on how digital tools can improve agricultural business operations, with participants listening attentively.
20 August 2025, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire – Capture Solutions Representative, Serge Ouraga, presenting digital service solutions to a small business team during a matchmaking meeting in their office.