• Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso boost joint research, innovation cooperation

• Workshop trains researchers on management, commercialization, intellectual property

• Partnership aims to address funding gaps and strengthen research impact

Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso are stepping up cooperation in scientific research and innovation, with concrete steps already underway.

On March 17-18, Côte d'Ivoire's Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (FONSTI) held a capacity-building workshop for researchers in partnership with Burkina Faso's National Fund for Research and Innovation for Development (FONRID), with support from the Innovation Council's general secretariat.

According to Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the meeting brought together grantees from joint FONSTI-FONRID projects to address project management, monitoring and commercialization.

The first day featured presentations on five projects funded under the program, along with sessions on gender inclusion. The second, more technical day focused on monitoring, evaluation and intellectual property. A session led by the Ivorian Intellectual Property Office (OIPI) outlined mechanisms for protecting and commercializing innovations.

At the opening, Barima Yao Sabas, representing the FONSTI secretary general, described the workshop as "a lever to improve the performance and visibility of funded projects."

Joining forces to boost innovation

The partnership extends beyond the bilateral framework. Support from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and South Africa anchors the FONSTI-FONRID program in a broader international effort. FONRID Director General Bationo Babou said the aim is to pool resources to address shared challenges and increase impact.

This cooperation is particularly important given the constraints both countries face.

In Côte d'Ivoire, the government has identified two major obstacles. At the 13th edition of the CGECI Academy in September 2025, Higher Education Minister Adama Diawara pointed to underfunding and the limited commercialization of research. The issue is underscored by the African Development Bank's 2024 country report, which shows Côte d'Ivoire allocates just 0.1% of its GDP to research and development, far below the continental target of 1%.

In Burkina Faso, FONRID said it allocated a total of 1.13 billion CFA francs ($1.9 million) to host institutions in 2024, with 80% coming from state funding. Resources remain limited, making external partnerships essential.

In both countries, researchers need stronger skills in innovation, collaboration and independent fundraising, according to France's Institute for Research and Development (IRD). The workshop aims to address this gap by equipping scientists with practical tools to better manage, protect and commercialize their work.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou