Abstract:
Côte d’Ivoire is on a positive economic trajectory, with an annual
GDP growth projected at more than 7% annually in 2023 according to the African Development Bank. Investing in human capital to develop a skilled workforce is one of the ways to sustain this impressive growth.
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the nine African countries that is contributing to the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) since 2019. Its initial contribution is USD 1 million to train Ivorian PhD students in selected African host universities and collaborating with international partner institutions. Through PASET-Rsif, Côte d’Ivoire will build strong institutions and future science leaders to drive a science and technology-led growth and development.
The Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, one of the 15 Rsif African host universities, is hosting 22 Rsif PhD students (10 nationalities, 36% women). There are 11 Ivorian Rsif PhD scholars and 28 research publications to date. The report turns the spotlight on Ivorian Rsif scholars and highlights how an Rsif innovation project is reducing post-harvest losses and opening international markets for Ivorian producers.
