LONACI, Côte d’Ivoire Lottery Board Unveils a FCFA 300Mil (US$520,000) Fund for Orphanages
Côte d’Ivoire’s National Lottery (LONACI), has announced 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. The event was under the theme “55 Years of History with an Engaged and Responsible Press.” The event was 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 in recent years. The budget increased 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.
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.
LONACI said this collaboration has accompanied significant growth over the decades. The 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. LONACI awarded recognition trophies to institutions and media organisations including HACA, ANP, RTI and Fraternité Matin.
