National Champions: The First 27 Laureates of the Economic Program for Innovation and Business Transformation (PEPITE) Officially Presented

The 27 laureates making up the first cohort of the Economic Program for Innovation and Business Transformation (PEPITE) were officially presented on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan during a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé.

As part of the National Strategy for Building and Accelerating National Champions 2026-2030, PEPITE aims to identify, support, and transform startups, micro-enterprises (TPEs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and mid-sized enterprises (ETIs) within the 15 national strategic hubs. The program seeks to strengthen domestic value chains, increase business resilience, and enhance competitiveness in regional and international markets.

The ceremony also marked the launch of the call for applications for the second cohort, consolidating the progressive expansion of the PEPITE program.

For context, the National Strategy for Building and Accelerating National Champions 2026-2030 is based on seven key segments: Acceleration of National Champions, Construction of National Champions (PEPITE 2030), Support for the Best Youth Projects, Support for Excellence Award Winners, Best Regional Young Entrepreneur Award, Best Communal Young Entrepreneur Award, and Best Young Inventor Award.