Historic launch for Côte d’Ivoire’s digital economy leaders
Abidjan — The Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, inaugurated on June 22, 2026, the professional immersion phase for the first cohort of the Licence Professionnelle in Digital Economy Management at the École Multinationale Supérieure des Postes (EMSP). This pilot program is designed to cultivate the next generation of digital transformation leaders for Côte d’Ivoire and eight other African member states.
A three-month journey of growth and professional development
The mandatory three-month internship, culminating in a jury-evaluated report, is a cornerstone of the L3 students’ curriculum in the Formations Supérieures en Management de l’Économie Numérique (FS MENUM). Beyond academic validation, the experience empowers students to sharpen both technical and soft skills, preparing them for real-world challenges in digital innovation.
All 100 students of the inaugural class have been placed across 43 public, semi-public, and private institutions for their internships, running from June 22 to September 22. In addition to their placement letters, each received financial support equivalent to a three-month scholarship to cover essential expenses like transportation during their corporate stay.
Minister Ouattara’s call to leadership and excellence
Speaking at the official launch ceremony held at the Tour Postel 2001 auditorium, Djibril Ouattara framed the moment as a turning point for Côte d’Ivoire and its partner nations. Addressing the students as pioneers, he underscored the weight of their role in shaping the continent’s digital future.
« You are not an ordinary cohort. You are the first to embark on this final internship phase. You are the face of this program—your performance will define how industry and government perceive the value of your diploma. This privilege comes with immense responsibility. You are not just representing EMSP; you carry the future of digital transformation for our nations,» he emphasized.
Urging the students to embody rigor, integrity, discipline, and excellence, he added, « Stay curious, be proactive, and dare to innovate.»
EMSP’s evolution: From postal tradition to digital frontier
Michel Touré, Director-General of the EMSP, reflected on the institution’s evolution since its 1970 founding under the Universal Postal Union. Originally established to train postal and financial services leaders across eight African nations—Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sénégal, and Togo—the EMSP has expanded its mission to meet the demands of a digital economy.
« We’re nurturing a new kind of graduate—not engineers or technicians, but versatile professionals capable of thriving in any ecosystem. They will bridge traditional postal services with emerging fields like digital marketing, fintech, and logistics,» Touré explained.
Celebrating collaboration and shared vision
The launch ceremony brought together key figures, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly, and the Mauritanian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Mohamed Abdallah, representing the EMSP’s member states.
