Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, is hosting a training workshop for teachers in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The workshop, which started on September 25, 2026, aims to equip teachers with practical knowledge and tools to teach these skills to students. The program, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is being held at the Alassane Ouattara Ivorian-Korean ICT, Cultural and Sports Centre.
The training is part of the "AI and Robotics Youth Training Programme" and has the support of several national and international partners. The program seeks to establish AI and robotics clubs in schools and enhance students' digital skills. Over 200 teachers from 200 schools are expected to benefit from the program, which aims to reach around 10,000 students.
Stéphane Kouamandi Coulibaly, Director of Innovation, Startups, and Private Sector at the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, emphasized that teacher training is crucial in implementing the national AI development strategy. He highlighted the need for trainers who can educate future engineers and stressed the importance of AI as a driver of economic and technological development in Côte d'Ivoire.
Patrick Somet, Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation at the National Universal Telecommunications Service Agency (ANSUT), noted that the country needs "relays and digital ambassadors" to promote AI usage among the population. Christiana Yapi, Robotics Manager at YADAC Robotics, announced that the initiative will provide robotics equipment to teachers to facilitate practical training and enable students to design projects in these fields.
The program is part of a broader ITU initiative to develop an AI and robotics training model for young people in several African countries, including Côte d'Ivoire. The training will enable teachers to create a generation of students with enhanced digital skills, which is crucial for the country's technological advancement.
The AI and Robotics Youth Training Programme aims to bridge the digital skills gap in Côte d'Ivoire and empower students to compete in the global digital economy. By training teachers in AI and robotics, the program hopes to create a ripple effect that will benefit the entire education system and ultimately, the country's socio-economic development.
The training workshop will run for several days, during which teachers will engage in both theoretical and practical sessions. Upon completion, they are expected to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively integrate AI and robotics into their teaching practices, thereby enhancing the digital literacy of their students.
Key points
- The program aims to train 200 teachers from 200 schools in AI and robotics.
- The initiative is part of the ITU's broader program to develop AI and robotics training models for young people in several African countries.
- The program seeks to reach around 10,000 students and create AI and robotics clubs in schools.
