Investing in the Future of Africa: Building a Better Bigger Picture with San Diego State University and Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire (The Ivory Coast), one of the fastest growing economies in the world (~7% CAGR GDP Growth), with >30M people, and abundant natural resources, presents tremendous economic opportunity.  However, as is the case in much of sub-Saharan Africa, the country continues to face multi-dimensional poverty and a rapidly expanding youth population – more than 75% of the people are under the age of 35. Forward-thinking leaders like Dr. Eugène Aka-Aouélé, President of the Conseil Economique, Social, Environnemental et Culturel (CESEC) in Côte d'Ivoire, recognize the power of entrepreneurship and education to unleash the tremendous potential that exists in the Ivory Coast while working towards an economy that provides opportunities for the country’s youth.

It was against this backdrop, that my wife and I had the great pleasure of arranging a trip to Cote d’Ivoire with a distinguished delegation of forward-thinking leaders from my alma mater, San Diego State University (SDSU), Dr. Hala Madanat, Dr. Eugene Olevsky, and Dr. Jeff Roberts, to meet with President Aka.   Our delegation also held meetings with the Minister of Higher Education, the Office of the President of Cote d’Ivoire, the Ministry of Primary (K-12) Education, The US Embassy, Houphouet Boigny National Polytechnic Institute of Yamoussoukro, and several local schools.  We discussed cooperation and innovation in higher education in the fields of Science, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Clean Water Research, and training for K-12 teachers. The meetings were engaging, fruitful, and fun. I am excited to start working with CESEC and SDSU on the follow ups. 

Big thank you to Moussa Dao of the Côte d'Ivoire Silicon Valley Task Force and Arouna Dao of CESEC, for support on the ground in the Ivory Coast and special thanks to President Aka, Hala, Eugene, and Jeff for sharing the Bigger Picture vision of what is possible and for Investing in the Future of Africa.

RHDP News in Côte d'Ivoire announcing the results of the SDSU Delegation

San Diego State University Delegation with President Aka of CESEC

Houphouet Boigny National Polytechnic Institute of Yamoussoukro

Meeting Ph.D. Students at Houphouet Boigny National Polytechnic Institute of Yamoussoukro

Ministry of National (Primary) Education

Technical School Students

Primary School Students