Ivorian Government Calls on Student Diaspora to Return Home

During a ceremony held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Ivorians Abroad in Abidjan, the Ivorian government, in partnership with the United States Embassy, launched an awareness campaign encouraging Ivorian students abroad—particularly those living in the United States—to return home.

A message posted on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Youth Promotion captured the spirit of the campaign: “What if your future was written here, in Côte d’Ivoire? You shined in the United States and gained rare expertise. Now the country needs your talent. Real success is building where our roots give meaning to our achievements. This is the time to return. This is the time to take action!”

According to information relayed by the Ivorian News Agency (AIP), the campaign is built around the slogan: “The American dream does not erase the Ivorian duty.”
During the launch ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Jessica Ba reminded attendees that respecting visa conditions is essential to strengthening cooperation between both countries. “A visa is not a right. It is an exceptional opportunity for learning, discovery and personal development—and also a responsibility,” she emphasized.

Justine Aya Koffi, a former Ivorian student in the United States and now an executive at the African Development Bank (AfDB), shared her testimony: “I chose to return home because this is where my skills make the most sense.”

The government has not yet provided details on reception mechanisms or incentives for students who decide to comeback. Questions remain regarding the potential valorization of returnees’ skills, whether through positions in the public administration, private sector opportunities, or national development projects.

This campaign comes at a time when emigration intentions remain high. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the number of Ivorian students abroad increased from 6,000 in 2014 to more than 10,000 in 2024, while nearly 50% of higher-education graduates trained in Côte d’Ivoire express their desire to settle abroad.