First digital economy management trainees begin professional immersion in côte d’ivoire

Abidjan, June 23, 2026 — Djibril Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, launched Monday the professional immersion phase for the inaugural cohort of the EMSP’s Bachelor’s program in Digital Economy Management, a pioneering initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of digital transformation leaders across Côte d’Ivoire and its African partner states.

This three-month internship, culminating in a final report defended before a jury, is a core component of the curriculum for third-year students enrolled in the EMSP’s advanced digital economy management track. It offers a unique opportunity for trainees to hone both technical expertise and soft skills in real-world environments.

The 100 students of this first cohort have been placed across 43 public, semi-public, and private institutions, where they will complete their internships from June 22 to September 22. Alongside their official placement letters, each trainee received financial support equivalent to three months of a stipend to cover essential expenses such as transportation during their corporate stay.

During the official launch ceremony held at the auditorium of Tour Postel 2001, Minister Ouattara underscored the historic significance of the moment and the weighty responsibilities entrusted to these interns as pioneers of a new educational paradigm.

« My dear pioneers, recognize the magnitude of this milestone. You are not just another graduating class. You are the very first cohort to embark on this culminating internship experience. You are the ambassadors of this program, the standard-bearers whose performance will shape the reputation of your degree in both industry and public administration. This distinction comes with extraordinary privilege—and equally extraordinary responsibility. You do not merely represent the EMSP; you carry the future of digital transformation for our nations,» he declared.

Emphasizing the pillars of rigor, integrity, discipline, and excellence, the minister urged the students to remain inquisitive, proactive, and bold in their professional journeys.

Michel Touré, Director-General of the EMSP, reflected on the institution’s evolution, highlighting the distinctive caliber of graduates emerging from its revamped programs.

« We have deliberately cultivated a new breed of professional,» he noted. These are not engineers, nor are they technicians—but versatile graduates equipped to navigate every ecosystem and sector. They will be the versatile leaders capable of driving innovation across systems, industries, and borders.»

The EMSP, founded in 1970 under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union, is a leading interstate institution uniting eight African nations: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sénégal, and Togo. Originally established to train postal and financial services leaders, the school has since broadened its educational scope to embrace the demands of a rapidly evolving technological and economic landscape.

Today, the EMSP is committed to equipping professionals who can thrive not only in traditional postal sectors but also in emerging fields such as digital marketing, fintech, logistics, and beyond. The internship launch ceremony drew high-profile attendees, including the Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly, and the Ambassador of Mauritania to Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mohamed Abdallah, who represented the EMSP’s member states.