On Saturday January 21st, about 22 graduates of the E4Impact Global MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) gathered for the general constitutive assembly of the “Réseau des Alumni E4Impact Côte d’Ivoire”.
This event was a huge step after more than 3 years of brainstorming for the creation of a network of impactful entrepreneurs, committed to creating jobs, but also shaping the future of entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Côte d’Ivoire. Following the recent launch of the Ghanian and Zimbabwean Alumni Associations, it is now time for Ivorian entrepreneurs to start undertaking this successful networking path.
“Become stronger together” is the leitmotiv of the network launched at CERAP – Centre de Recherche et d’Action pour la Paix. Mentorship for individual businesses growth, common projects for more impact, the ability to mobilize resources and contribute to the success of the E4Impact-CERAP MBA Program are among the objectives of the Network.
The first session of the day, facilited by the E4Impact Entrepreneur Mr Clyde Vacher, involved Alumni sharing the major challenges and obstacles to effectively launch their businesses. Proper analysis of the situation coupled with resilience were the main points to keep in mind to be a successful entrepreneur.
The second part of the day was dedicated to a panel, on the topic “Opportunities and strategic partnerships for growth”, with 3 guests speakers:
- Eric Ténié OUATTARA, former Bank CEO, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and SMEs
- Fabrice KOFFI, co-founder of KEIWA, an application to support the financial inclusion of the informal business sector in Africa
- Régis Bamba, co-founder of DJAMO, a special account to manage all accounts (mobile money and bank accounts) in one application
The presentation of the private sector ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire and the successful path of these two Ivorian entrepreneurs showed that it is possible to succeed in an apparently difficult environment, and encouraged to take advantages of the interconnected world, to build partnerships for business growth.
The last part was the general assembly, with the adoption of the Statutes & Rules of procedures, and the election of the first executive office as well as the association auditors.
The general assembly meeting was chaired by Father Abel N’Djomon, Programme Manager of E4Impact MBA in Côte d’Ivoire. The Members of the Executive Office for years 2023 and 2024 are the following Alumni:
- President: Hervé Ouattara
- Vice-presidents: Kassoum Coulibaly & Sylvie Ekanza
- General Secretary: Danielle Debrimou
- Deputy General Secretary: Clyde Vacher
- Treasurer: Thérèse Mahika
- Deputy Treasurer: Marcelle Yobou
The Association will also include 2 key Auditors, Jean Assé Brou and Venance Kouassi.
“The Network gives us tools and support to succeed personally and grow together as impact entrepreneurs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people and organizations who were fully committed: CERAP through Father Abel N’Djomon, E4Impact Foundation and all the Alumni” said Hervé Ouattara, President of the newborn Network.
The initiative was also warmly supported and chaired by Sylvie Ekanza, Network’s VP and new Alumni Representative of the E4Impact Alliance Council.
“I am glad we finally made it. I look forward to knowing more about my counterparts from Côte d’Ivoire, and learn from best practices inside the whole E4I Alumni network” said Sylvie. “All this announces an exciting term as VP for the Ivorian network of entrepreneurs and as one of the 3 Alumni Representatives. All together, for more impact.”
Danielle Debrimou