We work with the government in Côte d’Ivoire and countries across Africa to deliver vital charity work and make sure everyone has the chance to thrive.

Côte d’Ivoire is one of the most prosperous nations in West Africa.

Despite having a growing economy, the country’s health care system still lacks funding and essential resources, including skilled staff, medicine and adequate facilities. Most doctors are based in the cities, meaning people in rural areas find it harder to get good-quality health care.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are highly prevalent in Côte d’Ivoire, putting millions of people at risk of illness and disability. Five NTDs that can be prevented and treated with medication are endemic in the country.

Many people with disabilities in Côte d’Ivoire are denied opportunities because of negative stereotypes and attitudes around disability. As a result, they often face barriers when claiming their right to education, employment and health care.

110,000 people in Côte d’Ivoire are thought to be blind

23 million people need medication to protect them from disease

19.5 million people need treatment for river blindness

Sources: IAPB, ESPEN

What are the challenges in Côte d’Ivoire, and how can these be addressed?

A doctor carries out an eye screening surrounded by a community of people.

Infectious diseases

People in Côte d’Ivoire are at a high risk of neglected tropical diseases.

Infectious diseases that can cause permanent blindness and long-term disability pose a high risk to people in Côte d’Ivoire. Our work on neglected tropical diseases in the country focuses on trachoma and river blindness.

How we’re tackling disease in Côte d’Ivoire

Medication

Sightsavers works with partners to distribute preventative medication across the country, to protect people from infectious diseases.
About drug administration

Eye operations

We help to provide sight-saving surgery for people with advanced trachoma (known as trichiasis) to stop them from losing their sight.
Learn about trachoma

Technology

Digital technology is helping to eliminate diseases by enabling us to collect and analyse data about the prevalence of diseases.
About our digital health work

Inclusion and equality

People with disabilities in Côte d’Ivoire are often denied their human rights.

Women and girls also face stigma and discrimination in society. Our charity work on disability rights in Côte d’Ivoire focuses on improving everyone’s access to health care, education and employment.

Our inclusion work in Côte d’Ivoire

Inclusive health

Sightsavers works with local governments in Côte d’Ivoire to make health care more inclusive for people with disabilities.
Learn about inclusive health

Employment

We support people with disabilities to earn money and be independent by working as cocoa farmers or starting their own business.
Our inclusive employment work

Research

Collecting data about our work helps us ensure that our programmes are effective and reach people most in need.
Our in-house research

“The best part of my job is ensuring future generations never lose their sight from diseases such as river blindness.”

Astou Sarr, country director

How you can help

Our charity work in Côte d’Ivoire is helping to eliminate neglected tropical diseases and ensure equality, but there’s still more we need to do.

With your support, we want to reach even more communities where infectious diseases are present and ensure everyone can claim rights to learn, earn and thrive. To do this, we need your help.

Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our programmes in Côte d’Ivoire. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.

Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in Côte d’Ivoire, would like details about our programmes or wish to discuss ways to donate or support us, email [email protected]

Latest stories from West Africa

A group of young researchers gathers around a table, watching as an adult points to a map.

Blogs / Disability and inclusion /

Sightsavers’ Dr Steven Kaindaneh and Dr Julia de Kadt explain how our new research project puts schoolchildren with disabilities at the centre of efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Sightsavers, December 2024

Eunice sits on the ground next to field where she's warming sorghum.

Stories / Disability and inclusion /

Learn how our disability-inclusive projects are helping to create a better world for everyone by supporting people like Sadah, Eunice and Shihab.

A group of smiling women in Nigeria hold posters and leaflets about family planning.

Blogs / Women and girls /

We're attending the Global Health Practitioners Conference to showcase our work to improve access to sexual health services for women with disabilities.

Salome Luka Net, October 2024

Volunteer Moses measures a woman's height to see how much medication she needs to protect her from river blindness.

Stories / Fighting disease /

Sightsavers’ Khadijah Bello travelled across north-central Nigeria to see how our programmes are fast-tracking the elimination of neglected tropical diseases.

A large party with lots of people dancing, wearing colourful yellow clothes.

News / Our organisation /

Representatives from Sightsavers, the national and state governments and the global health community joined an event on 20 November in Abuja to celebrate Sightsavers’ achievements in the country.

November 2023

Vision technician Ruth Zeo points to an eye chart during an eye screening

Blogs / Eye health /

Liberia's National Eye Health Policy will ensure eye health is a priority and help strengthen the wider health system by developing a sustainable, inclusive eye care service.

Nazaradden Ibrahim, September 2023

Discover where Sightsavers works in Africa and Asia

Where we work

We protect sight, fight disease and make sure everyone can claim their rights.

Find out how your support can make a huge difference and change lives.

Sightsavers in Côte d’Ivoire

110,000 people in Côte d’Ivoire are thought to be blind

23 million people need medication to protect them from disease

19.5 million people need treatment for river blindness

What are the challenges in Côte d’Ivoire, and how can these be addressed?

Infectious diseases