Abidjan welcomes first digital economy management interns
The Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, officially inaugurated on June 22, 2026, the professional immersion phase for the first cohort of digital economy management graduates from the École Multinationale Supérieure des Postes (EMSP). This groundbreaking program aims to cultivate the next generation of digital transformation leaders across Côte d’Ivoire and fellow EMSP member states in Africa.
The three-month internship, culminating in a final report presentation to a panel, represents a critical component of the L3 students’ curriculum within the Superior Training Program in Digital Economy Management (FS MENUM). This hands-on experience provides learners with invaluable opportunities to sharpen both their technical expertise and soft skills in real-world settings.
The inaugural class of 100 students has been strategically placed across 43 public, semi-public, and private organizations from June 22 to September 22. To support their transition into professional environments, each student received a three-month financial stipend covering essential expenses like transportation.
A call to leadership and excellence
Speaking at the official kickoff ceremony held at the Tour Postel 2001 auditorium, Minister Ouattara framed the moment as historic, positioning the interns as trailblazers with exceptional responsibilities.
« This is no ordinary cohort, » he declared. « You stand at the dawn of a new era as the first class to embark on this culminating internship. You are not merely representing EMSP; you carry the aspirations of digital transformation for our nations. This privilege comes with profound obligations. The success of your program will influence how industry and government perceive the value of your degree—and by extension, the future of digital innovation across our region. »
He urged the students to embrace curiosity, innovation, and bold thinking, emphasizing the core values of rigor, integrity, discipline, and academic excellence.
The EMSP Director-General, Michel Touré, reflected on the institution’s journey toward this milestone. « We’ve reimagined the profile of our graduates—not engineers, not technicians, but versatile professionals capable of thriving in diverse ecosystems. These students will serve as catalysts for change, bridging traditional postal systems with emerging digital frontiers. »
EMSP: A legacy of adaptation and growth
Established in 1970 under the auspices of the Universal Postal Union, the EMSP began as a training hub for postal administration and financial services across eight African nations: Bénin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sénégal, and Togo. Over time, it has evolved into a dynamic institution equipping professionals to navigate both established postal sectors and cutting-edge domains such as digital marketing, logistics, and fintech.
The launch event drew high-profile attendees, including the Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Amadou Coulibaly, and the Mauritanian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mohamed Abdallah, who attended on behalf of fellow EMSP member states.
