The second edition of the International Symposium on Physics of Energy Storage and Ferroic Materials (ISPESFM 2026) was held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (UFHB) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from October 22 to 24, 2026. The symposium brought together 44 researchers from eight countries, including France, Spain, Morocco, Benin, Togo, Algeria, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire. The event was co-organized by UFHB and the University of Picardie Jules-Verne in Amiens, France.
The researchers recommended that authorities rethink energy policies and strengthen national scientific capacities to promote sustainable development. They emphasized the need to accelerate the development of wind energy along Côte d'Ivoire's coast, citing existing research by the technological laboratory (Lab-Tech) of the UFHB's Unit of Training and Research in Sciences of Matter Structures and Technology (SSMT).
To support innovation, the researchers suggested facilitating the mobility of teacher-researchers, particularly by allowing young doctors to pursue postdoctoral internships abroad without losing their positions in their home country. They also recommended reducing customs duties on precursors necessary for manufacturing solar cells and strengthening financing for doctoral training through scholarships and professional insertion programs for young researchers.
The researchers stressed the importance of equipping university laboratories with basic scientific equipment to improve research conditions. They also called for increased support for the next generation of researchers and the development of innovative solutions to the energy challenges facing their countries.
Professor Yaovi Gagou, president of the organizing committee, expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Adama Diawara, for his support in organizing the symposium. He stated that implementing the recommendations would contribute to strengthening scientific capacities, supporting the next generation, and developing innovative solutions to energy challenges.
The symposium featured six plenary conferences and 35 oral communications on advances, challenges, and research perspectives on ferroic materials and energy storage. The event aimed to foster new scientific collaborations, joint projects, and sustainable progress in the studied fields.
Professor Ballo Zié, president of UFHB, congratulated the organizers on the success of the second edition and expressed hope that the recommendations would be effectively implemented. The symposium provided a platform for experts to share knowledge and discuss ways to address the energy challenges facing their countries.
Key points
- Researchers call for policy changes to strengthen national scientific capacities and promote sustainable development.
- Experts recommend accelerating wind energy development along Côte d'Ivoire's coast.
- Symposium aims to foster new scientific collaborations and joint projects in energy storage and ferroic materials research.
