Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - On September 23, 2026, the President of the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG), Epiphane Zoro Bi Ballo, urged young Ivoirians to tap into climate finance opportunities. Speaking at a sensitization day organized by the Foundation for Culture and Education, Zoro Bi emphasized that climate finance is not just for large institutions, but also for young entrepreneurs, innovators, and engineers. The event, themed "Youth facing climate change in Côte d'Ivoire: understanding challenges, seizing opportunities, and acting for sustainable development," brought together stakeholders for presentations, a roundtable discussion, and a participatory climate and biodiversity fresco.
The HABG President highlighted the transition to ecological sustainability as a field of opportunity for young people. He cited sectors such as waste management, clean energy, resilient agriculture, recycling, circular economy, and environmental services as areas that can foster the creation of new businesses. Zoro Bi encouraged young people to strengthen their knowledge of climate change and climate finance mechanisms, while developing their capacity to transform ideas into structured and economically viable projects.
Zoro Bi Ballo also emphasized the link between ecological transition and good governance. He stressed that climate change funding must effectively benefit the projects they are allocated to, and that there can be no sustainable development without sustainable governance. The HABG President underscored the importance of integrity in consolidating trust, investment, and development.
The Secretary-General of the Foundation for Culture and Education, Oscar Kévin Koffi, explained that the initiative aims to bring young people closer to climate sector opportunities. This is in line with the Youth Finance Climate Day, a day of activities focused on climate finance and job opportunities for young people. Five projects presented by young people were selected to compete for subsidies of up to two million CFA francs.
The selected projects focus on climate or ecological agriculture and solutions related to ecological transition. Their implementation will be supported by several partners and monitored by structures including the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition, and the Foundation for Culture and Education. These projects aim to contribute to building a greener, more inclusive, and resilient Ivoirian economy.
The event provided a platform for young entrepreneurs to present their projects and compete for funding. The Foundation for Culture and Education organized the event to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable development. The projects presented demonstrate the potential for young people to drive positive change in Côte d'Ivoire.
The support of partners and the involvement of government structures will be crucial in ensuring the success of these projects. The implementation of these initiatives will be monitored to ensure their impact on sustainable development in Côte d'Ivoire. The HABG President's call to action is expected to inspire more young people to explore climate finance opportunities and contribute to the country's sustainable development.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's HABG President encourages young entrepreneurs to explore climate finance opportunities.
- Five projects presented by young people to compete for subsidies of up to two million CFA francs.
- The initiative aims to promote sustainable development and build a greener, more inclusive, and resilient Ivoirian economy.
