The INP-HB, through its Centre of Excellence for Valorization and Professionalization (CEA VALOPRO), officially inaugurated the Master’s program in Circular Economy, Ecological Transition, and Sustainable Development (ECOTEDD). This significant launch took place during an inaugural 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,” the gathering convened a diverse group of national and international experts, public sector decision-makers, private sector stakeholders, and technical partners. Discussions centered on the critical issues surrounding ecological transition and the transformation of economic paradigms across the African continent.
Professor Benjamin Yao, coordinator of CEA VALOPRO, set an inspiring tone by emphasizing the strategic importance of this new initiative. He highlighted its purpose: to provide “content of high informative value” and to facilitate media access to leading experts, thereby promoting wider understanding of pressing environmental challenges.
Throughout various panel discussions, participants meticulously assessed the continent’s environmental hurdles. Key challenges identified included effective waste management, rampant deforestation, the complexities of energy transition, and persistent difficulties in securing climate financing.
For Professor Benjamin Yao, the circular economy emerges as a particularly fitting response to Africa’s unique realities. “The circular economy is fundamentally an economy of value conservation. What we currently define as waste can, in fact, become a source of wealth tomorrow,” he articulated, illustrating his point with practical examples of valorizing agricultural products, particularly within the cashew and cocoa sectors.
Addressing the broader question of development models, Professor Yao strongly advocated for a contextualized approach. “We must not merely replicate Western models. Our imperative is to develop solutions that are specifically adapted to our African realities—solutions that are simple, effective, and inherently sustainable.”
The dialogues also illuminated the current limitations of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which remains inadequately integrated into organizational strategies. Several panelists underscored a growing trend: “CSR is progressively becoming a prerequisite for accessing public markets,” urging businesses to move beyond mere communication and genuinely embed these principles into their governance structures.
Regarding climate financing, experts pointed out a significant paradox: substantial resources exist, yet they prove challenging to mobilize. “Funds are available, but the procedures are often cumbersome and highly technical. It is crucial to train local expertise capable of preparing proposals that meet international standards,” they stressed.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Abraham Bosson, the delegate for the inaugural cohort, conveyed his class’s firm commitment to actively contribute to transforming development models. “We firmly believe in an Africa capable of innovation, of leveraging its local resources, and of building sustainable development tailored to its specific realities,” he declared. Emphasizing his generation’s profound responsibility, he added, “We bear a historical responsibility: to become agents of change, capable of championing innovative and sustainable projects that serve our nations.”
With a clear action-oriented vision, Bosson clarified that the ECOTEDD Master’s program extends beyond a purely academic framework: “The objective is not solely to learn, but to concretely impact our businesses, our institutions, and our communities.”
This highly selective, two-year online program aims to cultivate a new generation of experts specializing in waste valorization, CSR, climate finance, and environmental project development, distinguished by a robust practical and professional orientation.
Through this forward-thinking initiative, the INP-HB endeavors to contribute significantly to the development of qualified human capital, equipped to effectively address the challenges of sustainable development in Côte d’Ivoire and across the African continent.
The next call for applications is anticipated in the coming weeks, according to organizers, with the ambition of further strengthening this momentum towards a more circular, inclusive, and resilient economy.
