Ivorian students commit to sustainable future with new ECOTEDD master’s launch

The INP-HB, through its CEA VALOPRO center, officially inaugurated the Master’s program in Circular Economy, Ecological Transition, and Sustainable Development (ECOTEDD) during a seminar held in Angré on Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Under the compelling theme, “Sustainable Africa, Resilient Côte d’Ivoire: CSR and Circular Economy as Levers for a New Development Model,” this significant gathering brought together national and international experts, public policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and technical partners. Discussions centered on the critical issues surrounding ecological transition and the transformation of economic models across Africa.

Professor Benjamin Yao, the coordinator for CEA VALOPRO, set the stage by emphasizing the strategic importance of this initiative. He highlighted its aim to “provide highly informative content” and to facilitate media access to leading experts, thereby promoting a broader understanding of pressing environmental challenges.

Throughout various panels, speakers presented a comprehensive overview of the continent’s environmental hurdles. These included complex issues such as waste management, widespread deforestation, the imperative of energy transition, and the persistent difficulties in accessing crucial climate financing.

Professor Benjamin Yao articulated that the circular economy presents a highly suitable response to African realities. “The circular economy is an economy focused on value preservation. What we currently label as waste can become a valuable resource tomorrow,” he explained. He supported his argument with tangible examples of agricultural product valorization, particularly within the cashew and cocoa sectors.

Addressing different development models, he stressed the necessity of a contextualized approach: “We must not merely replicate Western models. Instead, we need to devise solutions tailored to our specific African realities – solutions that are simple, effective, and inherently sustainable.”

The discussions also illuminated the current limitations of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which remains inadequately integrated into organizational strategies. “CSR is progressively becoming a prerequisite for accessing public markets,” several panelists noted, urging businesses to move beyond mere communication and genuinely embed these principles within their governance structures.

Regarding climate financing, experts identified a paradox: substantial resources exist, yet they prove challenging to mobilize. “Funds are available, but the procedures are cumbersome and highly technical. It is essential to cultivate local expertise capable of preparing applications that meet international standards,” they underscored.

Abraham Bosson, the delegate for the inaugural class, spoke on behalf of the students, expressing his cohort’s unwavering commitment to actively contribute to transforming development models. “We believe in an Africa capable of innovating, leveraging its local resources, and building sustainable development adapted to its unique realities,” he affirmed. Emphasizing his generation’s responsibility, he added: “We bear a historic responsibility: to become agents of change, capable of leading innovative and sustainable projects that serve our nations.”

With a distinctly action-oriented perspective, he clarified that the ECOTEDD Master’s extends beyond a purely academic framework: “The objective is not solely to learn, but to concretely impact our businesses, institutions, and communities.”

This two-year program, accessible online and highly selective, aims to cultivate a new generation of experts in waste valorization, CSR, climate finance, and environmental project development, with a strong practical and professional focus.

Through this initiative, the INP-HB seeks to contribute to the development of a skilled human capital base, capable of effectively addressing the challenges of sustainable development in Côte d’Ivoire and across Africa.

The organizers anticipate the next call for applications in the coming weeks, with the ambition to further strengthen this momentum towards a more circular, inclusive, and resilient economy.