The first cohort of students in the digital economy management program at the École multinationale supérieure des postes (EMSP) has officially begun their three-month professional immersion in Abidjan. On June 22, 2026, Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, inaugurated the program’s validation phase, marking a historic milestone for the institution and its member states.
This licence professionnelle track, designed for third-year students in the Digital Economy Management curriculum, blends academic rigor with real-world experience. Participants will spend from June 22 to September 22 developing hands-on skills in public, semi-public, and private organizations across 43 partner institutions. Each student receives financial support equivalent to three months of scholarship funds to cover essential expenses, including transportation.
Pioneers of a digital future
Addressing the students during the launch ceremony at the Tour Postel 2001 auditorium, Djibril Ouattara emphasized the unique significance of their role. “You are not just another graduating class — you are the very first to undergo this final internship. You are the ambassadors of this program, the standard-bearers by which the value of your degree will be judged by both industry and government. This honor comes with immense responsibility: you carry not only the future of EMSP, but the future of digital transformation across our member states,” he stated.
The minister urged the students to embrace discipline, integrity, curiosity, and boldness, calling on them to become proactive leaders in shaping Côte d’Ivoire’s and West Africa’s digital landscape.
EMSP Director-General Michel Touré reflected on the institution’s transformation since its founding in 1970 under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union. “We have reimagined the profile of our graduates. They are not engineers or technicians, but versatile professionals capable of thriving in any ecosystem — from traditional postal services to emerging digital markets, logistics, digital marketing, and fintech,” he explained.
A regional model for digital leadership
The EMSP, an intergovernmental training hub, serves eight African nations: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritanie, Niger, Sénégal, and Togo. Over the decades, it has evolved from a postal and financial services training center into a dynamic hub preparing professionals for the demands of today’s digital economy.
The stage-setting ceremony was attended by key figures, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Communication and government spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly, and Mauritania’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, His Excellency Mohamed Abdallah, representing the EMSP’s eight member states.
