With Universities Under Strain, Côte d’Ivoire Earmarks $595M for Higher Education in 2026
Côte d’Ivoire approved a budget of 338.78 billion CFA francs (about $595 million) for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in 2026. The allocation represents a 3.14% increase from the previous year and targets infrastructure upgrades, faculty hiring, and improvements in research capacity.
The sector faces strain from rising enrollment, outdated facilities, and digital gaps. Minister Adama Diawara stated that the funds will support major investments and reforms central to the ministry’s mandate, including upgrading university infrastructure, hiring more lecturer-researchers, and enabling institutions to conduct stronger scientific research aligned with national development needs.
Côte d’Ivoire approved a 338.78 billion CFA franc ($595 million) budget for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on Tuesday, November 18. The 2026 allocation is up 3.14% from last year and comes at a time when public universities are struggling with rising enrollment, outdated infrastructure, and limited research capacity.
Enrollment has expanded faster than public universities can absorb, placing heavy pressure on facilities and teaching capacity. The budget underscores political backing for higher-education reforms and aims to fund infrastructure upgrades, lecturer-researcher hires, and enhanced research output to meet development needs.
Author’s summary: Côte d’Ivoire презентовал бюджет на высшее образование на 2026 год в размере 595 млн долл., нацеленный на модернизацию инфраструктуры и рост кадрового потенциала; при этом сектор сталкивается с перегрузкой и устаревшими технологиями.