As part of efforts to enhance the educational offer in Côte d’Ivoire, in line with the recommendations of the General Assembly on National Education and Literacy (EGENA), Professor Mariatou Koné, Minister of National Education and Literacy, officially launched the construction works for four high schools and one girls’ excellence boarding college during a ceremony held on Monday, October 6, 2025, in Abengourou.

The event was attended by Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism and Leisure, several elected officials and executives, as well as traditional authorities from the Indénié region.

Valued at 39 billion CFA francs, the project is co-financed by the West African Development Bank (BOAD) (25 billion CFA francs) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire (14 billion CFA francs). The four high schools are already under construction in Abengourou, Divo, Korhogo, and Man, while the girls’ excellence boarding college is being built in Bouna.

Another initiative, co-financed by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), involves the construction of nine girls’ excellence boarding high schools in the following cities: Abidjan (Abobo), Aboisso, Adzopé, Bondoukou, Boundiali, Daloa, Dimbokro, Odienné, and San Pedro.

According to Professor Mariatou Koné, these projects align with President Alassane Ouattara’s vision of promoting inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. They specifically aim to increase the secondary school enrollment rate among young girls, as part of the government’s broader program to construct and equip 15 girls’ excellence boarding schools nationwide.

It should be noted that although the projects were officially launched on Monday, construction of the four high schools and the girls’ excellence boarding college had already begun several months ago. Following a site visit by the Minister and her delegation, Project Coordinator Dosso Gossé confirmed that the overall progress is satisfactory.