Côte d’Ivoire turns to AI and satellite data to monitor forests and agriculture
Côte d’Ivoire is turning to satellite data and artificial intelligence to strengthen forest monitoring, improve agricultural traceability and support efforts to attract climate finance. The government has signed a 24-month framework agreement with TerraKora AI, an Ivorian company specializing in geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence, to strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor ecosystems and produce environmental data.
The partnership will combine satellite imagery, field observations and AI-powered tools to map land use, track environmental changes, assess restoration efforts and estimate carbon stocks in ecosystems. The initiative comes as Côte d’Ivoire seeks to improve its management of natural resources and address the continued pressure on its forest cover. According to the country’s 2021 national forest and wildlife inventory, forests covered about 2.97 million hectares, or 9.2% of the national territory.
The technology is also expected to support agricultural supply chains, including cocoa, coffee, cashew and rubber. By improving the geolocation of farms and monitoring land-use changes, authorities aim to strengthen the traceability of agricultural products and provide more reliable information on whether production is linked to deforestation. This has become increasingly important for Ivorian exporters as the European Union tightens requirements for commodities entering its market under its deforestation regulation.
The government also sees the system as a tool for strengthening climate finance. Digital monitoring, reporting and verification systems can provide more reliable data on carbon emissions and removals, helping Côte d’Ivoire develop its carbon market and demonstrate the environmental impact of projects seeking international funding.
The initiative comes as the country seeks to mobilize more resources for climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture. In July 2026, the Green Climate Fund approved $50 million for the LARACI project, which aims to promote sustainable land management and climate-resilient agri-food systems in five regions of Côte d’Ivoire.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the objective is therefore broader than forest surveillance. By combining satellite imagery, artificial intelligence and field data, the government wants to build a more reliable picture of its natural resources while connecting environmental monitoring with agricultural production, export requirements and access to climate finance. The effectiveness of the system will ultimately depend on the quality of the data, its verification on the ground and its integration into existing public monitoring systems.
