The Ivorian government, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), has launched a CFA5.5 billion project aimed at empowering young people through green entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
The project, known as GENIE (Youth Economic Empowerment Project, through Green Entrepreneurship and Digital Transformation in Côte d’Ivoire), targets over 45,000 young Ivorians.
Prime Minister Robert Mambe officially launched the GENIE project at the Prime Minister’s Office on February 26, 2025. The project is being implemented by GGGI, an organization based in South Korea and chaired by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The CF5.5 billion investment will establish 35 modern digital centers in middle schools, high schools, universities, and town halls across Côte d’Ivoire. According to Prime Minister Mambe, these centers will serve as learning and innovation hubs, providing ICT and green entrepreneurship training to over 45,000 young people. The project also includes the creation of a green leadership academy and a seed fund for youth entrepreneurship.
GGGI’s Country and Regional Representative, Olala Vieyra, emphasized that the program aims to equip young people with tools, innovation spaces, and support for their green entrepreneurial initiatives.
Developed over 18 months in collaboration with the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization and with KOICA’s support, the program seeks to integrate young people into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By 2027, the project will support 45,000 young people through the 35 digital centers, with 6,000 located in Abidjan and Grand-Bassam. The program will also include an incubation program offering training, mentorship, and seed funding to young entrepreneurs.
Ivorian Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, Kalihl Konate, highlighted the national digital economy policy, which incorporates youth entrepreneurship to improve technology access and stimulate innovation. He stated that this green economy and digital inclusion project will address key challenges and reduce the digital divide by democratizing access to technological resources.
KOICA Côte d’Ivoire Country Director Kim Sangjun affirmed his institution’s full support for the project, which aims to empower young people through digital technology access, training, and entrepreneurship.
Côte d’Ivoire aims to stimulate green growth by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30.41% by 2030, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, the circular economy, clean transport, and biodiversity protection.
AP/Sf/fss/abj/APA