The Minister of Planning and Development, Dr. Souleymane DiarraSSouba, led a pivotal national workshop in Abidjan this week to validate the study for Côte d’Ivoire’s National Territorial Development Framework (SNAT CI-2045). The session brought together leaders from government institutions, prefectural bodies, local authorities, technical and financial partners, alongside public administrations, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, experts, and media professionals.

Paving the way for a new era in territorial planning

This landmark validation marks the first step toward adopting Côte d’Ivoire’s inaugural national reference framework for territorial planning. Once implemented, SNAT CI-2045 will serve as the guiding compass for both public and private investment decisions, ensuring strategic alignment with long-term development goals while fostering balanced regional growth across the nation.

Strategic vision under presidential leadership

Under the leadership of President Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian government continues to fortify its strategic planning mechanisms to support transformative economic, social, and environmental progress. Territorial development stands at the heart of this vision, promoting fairer investment distribution, unlocking regional potential, and strengthening policy coherence for sustainable growth.

Five pillars to shape a resilient future

The SNAT CI-2045 framework is meticulously structured to define spatial development priorities over the next two decades. It will:

• Establish clear territorial specializations to maximize resource efficiency
• Harmonize state, local, and development actors’ efforts for unified action
• Address critical challenges like regional disparities, urban sprawl, and climate transition

Dr. DiarraSSouba’s vision for inclusive development

« The 2026-2030 National Development Plan (NDP) sets our medium-term priorities. SNAT CI-2045 translates these into long-term territorial realities, serving as the foundation for future development plans. Together, these frameworks ensure cohesive public action nationwide. Our mission is to guarantee every region finds its rightful place in the national development journey, » explained the Minister.

Science-backed strategy for equitable growth

The validated orientations emerge from a rigorous, multi-scale participatory process. Grounded in comprehensive national diagnostics, they tackle key issues: bridging regional divides, managing urban expansion, boosting territorial competitiveness, strengthening local governance, and safeguarding natural resources while deepening regional integration.

The SNAT CI-2045 ambitions are clear: territories that are resilient, competitive, and prosperous for all. Its five strategic axes include:

• Balanced territorial development to reduce regional inequalities
• Efficient urban-rural networks for better connectivity
• Enhanced territorial governance for accountability
• Performance-driven, inclusive economy to drive innovation
• Accelerated climate transition for sustainability

Next steps toward national adoption

Following the workshop, the draft framework will proceed to government review before parliamentary consideration. Once enacted, Côte d’Ivoire will possess its first-ever national territorial planning reference, guiding state investments toward high-impact regions and ensuring balanced nationwide development.