
On April 23, 2026, approximately 50 top female science students from various high schools in Abidjan participated in an immersive visit to Solibra's industrial zone in Yopougon. This initiative, part of the "Girls Day" program supported by GIZ, aims to boost the employability of young women and encourage their interest in technical fields, which are currently male-dominated. During the visit, the students explored Solibra's industrial environment, observing the beverage manufacturing process from syrup creation to final packaging, guided by company professionals. Achi Aye, Solibra's Plant Director, stated that the goal is to expose young women to real-world industrial settings, machinery, and female role models in these sectors, thereby challenging stereotypes about technical professions. He emphasized that increasing female presence in technical fields is crucial for both equity and economic performance, noting that women tend to be more stable in employment. Despite persistent obstacles, such as women's hesitation to apply for jobs if they don't meet all criteria, the program seeks to build a pipeline of female talent through early engagement in schools. Participants were divided into groups to explore production departments, with some, like Production Manager Toulou Natacha, highlighting the demands of balancing quality, industrial performance, and cost optimization. The experience impressed many students, with some expressing a newfound interest in technical and agri-food
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Abidjan.net.
Must ReadThe Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace RHDP has welcomed the Ivorian government's decision to dissolve the Independent Electoral Commission CEI, announced after the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Ibrahima Cissé Bacongo, on May 8, the ruling party acknowledged the decision, noting that the CEI had organized and supervised various elections in Côte d'Ivoire for the past twenty-five years. Despite its efforts, the electoral body had consistently faced criticism from political actors and civil society organizations. The RHDP expressed satisfaction that the government addressed these concerns by dissolving the institution. The party reaffirmed its full support for President Alassane Ouattara, stating that he continues to demonstrate his responsiveness to citizens' needs for a peaceful, prosperous, and united Côte d'Ivoire. The RHDP urged political actors and civil society organizations to fully engage in preserving peace and trust to establish a new electoral management mechanism that ensures calm elections in Côte d'Ivoire.
Must ReadThe Central Bank of West African States BCEAO hosted an international conference in Dakar on May 8, 2026, focusing on the opportunities and challenges presented by crypto-assets and digital innovations for monetary and financial stability. This event follows similar conferences in 2024 and 2025 on climate change and artificial intelligence, respectively. The conference aims to analyze the implications of these digital advancements and establish appropriate regulatory frameworks. Jean Claude Kassi Brou, Governor of the BCEAO, highlighted that crypto-assets, digital payment platforms, and the increasing digitalization of financial services are reshaping financial intermediation and challenging traditional regulatory and supervisory frameworks. He emphasized that while these tools are powerful drivers of modernization, they also introduce risks and vulnerabilities, calling for rigorous international dialogue on emerging digital finance issues. The BCEAO has initiated structural actions to support this transformation. Cheikh Diba, the Senegalese Minister of Finance and Budget, noted that these innovations offer unprecedented opportunities but also demand increased collective responsibility to address complex challenges related to regulation, security, and stability. He identified key risks such as the growth of shadow banking, excessive volatility in crypto-asset markets, fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, cyberattacks, and operational vulnerabilities. Diba expressed o
Must ReadThis article features an excerpt from the speech delivered by former President Laurent Gbagbo during the Central Committee meeting on May 7, 2026. The speech was published on Friday, May 8, 2026, by Autre Presse TV. The article is part of a larger collection of political activities from 2025-2026 on Abidjan.net, which also includes other news such as the dissolution of the CEI, the appointment of Ibrahime Coulibaly Kuibiert as President of the Council of State, and the adoption of the PND 2026-2030 by the Senate in Yamoussoukro.