LONACI highlights US$43m social investment as foundation nears 700 projects
The lottery in Côte d’Ivoire unveiled a FCFA 300m (US$520,000) support fund for orphanages and specialised centres as its foundation’s budget rose to FCFA 7.3bn (US$12.6m) in 2026.
Côte d’Ivoire.- Côte d’Ivoire’s National Lottery (LONACI) says its foundation has invested more than FCFA 24.7bn (US$43m) in nearly 700 social projects since 2019, while announcing a special FCFA300m (US$520,000) allocation to support orphanages and specialised centres as part of its 55th anniversary celebrations.
The figures were disclosed during a recent event honouring Côte d’Ivoire’s media under the theme “55 Years of History with an Engaged and Responsible Press,” held at LONACI’s studios in Biétry, according to a report published by Ivoire Matin.
Marc Guédé Sakoa, executive director of the LONACI Foundation, said the foundation’s budget and activities have expanded significantly in recent years, with its budget increasing from FCFA2.3bn (US$4m) in 2022 to FCFA7.3bn (US$12.6m) in 2026.
The event also highlighted the role of journalism in raising awareness of social and civic issues through the LONACI Foundation Social Challenge, a competition launched in 2019. The ceremony served as a tribute to the Ivorian media for its role in supporting LONACI’s visibility and growth over the past 55 years.
Abdoulkarim Ouattara, deputy director general, represented Dramane Coulibaly, LONACI director general, at the ceremony and praised the media’s contribution to the lottery’s development. “Thanks to the media, LONACI was seen, heard, understood, and followed,” he said.
LONACI said this collaboration has accompanied significant growth over the decades, with turnover increasing from FCFA5bn (US$8.7m) at its inception to more than FCFA700bn (US$1.2bn) today.
The ceremony brought together media regulators, executives, journalists and winners of the Super Ebony Prize and the LONACI Foundation Social Challenge, while LONACI awarded recognition trophies to institutions and media organisations including HACA, ANP, RTI and Fraternité Matin.
