In Burkina Faso, a new initiative aims to address the challenges faced by young graduates in finding employment. Rassidatou Gnankambary Derma, a specialist in supply chain management, has launched InfraLog Digital Supply Chain & Talent Lab to create a direct link between educational institutions, young people, and companies. The program, launched on October 24, 2026, in Ouagadougou, seeks to provide young graduates with the skills and competencies required by employers.
Rassidatou Derma, who holds an MBA in Supply Chain Management and a degree in Transport and Logistics, has extensive experience in academic planning and institutional management. She has worked as a planning officer in private universities, where she was responsible for planning academic activities, managing stakeholders, and monitoring pedagogy. Her interest in logistics was sparked by the realization that the sector was underdeveloped in Burkina Faso, and she saw an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.
The InfraLog initiative aims to bring together three key stakeholders: educational institutions, students, and companies. The program seeks to enable schools and universities to better understand the needs of employers and adapt their training programs accordingly. Students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience and discover the requirements of different professions. The initiative will provide training, mentorship, and immersion opportunities in companies, with the goal of facilitating employment.
The first edition of InfraLog Digital Supply Chain & Talent Lab attracted around 800 applications, with 100 young people selected based on their profiles, experience, and motivation. The program includes 10 practical workshops on topics such as job applications, personal branding, and digital skills. Participants will also receive three months of mentorship and up to six months of immersion in a company. The program is designed to equip young graduates with the skills and competencies required by employers.
One of the challenges faced by Rassidatou Derma was convincing companies to participate in the initiative. Some employers have expressed concerns about the lack of practical skills among young graduates, citing difficulties with tasks such as writing professional emails and performing administrative tasks. The program aims to address these concerns by providing young people with the skills and competencies required by employers.
The InfraLog initiative has a strong international dimension, with the Togo designated as the guest country of honor for the first edition. Collaborations are being explored to facilitate access to internships in Togo, particularly in the fields of transport, logistics, and infrastructure. The goal is to enable participants to gain experience abroad before returning to Burkina Faso to apply their skills.
Rassidatou Derma plans to monitor the progress of the first beneficiaries and evaluate the results of the program. A second edition is already being planned, and the initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the employment prospects of young graduates in Burkina Faso. The program is a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by young people in finding employment and contributing to the country's economic development.
Key points
- The InfraLog initiative aims to connect young graduates with companies and provide them with the skills and competencies required by employers.
- The program includes training, mentorship, and immersion opportunities in companies to facilitate employment.
- The initiative has a strong international dimension, with collaborations being explored to facilitate access to internships abroad.
