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In Côte d’Ivoire, digital growth is changing the narrative of visibility as more women are stepping up as leaders online, not just as spectators.
Edith Brou Bleu is a digital activist and media entrepreneur who co-founded Ayana Webzine, one of the first Ivorian online platforms for women’s issues in Abidjan. It is essential for her to stay in touch because she is helping build a digital world that needs to stay informed of creative, cultural, tech and business trends.
“It’s a sector that evolves very quickly. What you learned yesterday can already be outdated,”
Bleu explained. It covered health, work, and daily life, which gives women a space to see their own stories.
Over time, the digital activist expanded her reach by utilising social media for public campaigns like “Mousser contre Ebola” to share life-saving health tips. She said, “A strong idea always comes before action. You need to know where you are going, build networks, and create value.” Also, she believes influence isn’t just about audience size, but about how information is used, which requires constant evolution. Her advice: “Stay curious, patient, and consistent.”
Across the country, specifically in Côte d’Ivoire, women are using tech to break barriers, like Karine Oulaté Karim, a cybersecurity trainer and CEO of OK’Digital Communication, says the internet removes distance.
“Through digital technology, we can access the same education as developed countries. Even from a remote village, you can showcase your talent globally. You don’t need plane tickets anymore. From your room, you can present your work to people in China or the U.S. within seconds,” Karim said.
The cybersecurity trainer added that digital tools give women independence, and Côte d’Ivoire has become a digital hub where women are asserting themselves and inspiring others across Africa.
“They are no longer afraid. Digital tools give them independence, they can showcase their skills without relying on anyone. It empowers them,” she added.
Training programs like Digifemmes in Abidjan offer coding and life skills. Koulaï Guelanin Reine Armande joined a coding course led by Edith Brou. She learned to speak up, work with others, and eventually teach.
“I had to learn how to express myself. At first, it was difficult. But over time, I became more comfortable and started to see what I could do. Those who understood faster helped the others. Later, I also began to teach. That’s when I realised I could support others too,” Armande said.
Another graduate, Coulibaly N’Ganyoh Gbon, now teaches coding to new learners, and her journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning. Gbon noted,
“When I look at where I started and where I am now, I see the difference. I am still learning, but I know I can continue”.
Africa had nearly 700,000 developers by 2020, and the continent’s developer population grew fastest in the world. In Côte d’Ivoire, women are helping build this digital future.
Challenges remain unequal access to training and a persistent digital divide, but small wins add up. From coding lines to writing stories, Ivorian women are reshaping the digital world, and they are no longer just users; they are the architects.
