The Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) officially kicked off the festivities for its 75th anniversary on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Adiopodoumé. This celebration, marked by substantial financial support from Bern, underscores a historic partnership that places research at the heart of development between the two nations.

It is a longevity that commands respect. Founded in 1951, the CSRS has stood the test of time to become today a “showcase” of Ivorian-Swiss relations. To mark this platinum jubilee, the highest authorities of both countries made the trip to the town of Yopougon.

A legacy older than independence

In his remarks, Ignazio Cassis, Vice President of the Swiss Confederation, spoke of his deep emotion as a doctor returning to his “roots.” Noting that the center was established long before Côte d’Ivoire became the country we know today, he emphasized the human dimension of this cooperation.

“This center is a true showcase of the relationship between Switzerland and Côte d’Ivoire. In a world shaken by crises, science helps not only to combat disease, but also human aggression,” declared the Swiss Vice President.

The Swiss official backed up his words with action by confirming his government’s financial support: a budget of 2 million Swiss francs (approximately 1.45 billion CFA francs) has been allocated for the period 2025–2028.

The Challenge of Underfunding

Taking the floor, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Adama Diawara, praised a “successful model” of scientific diplomacy. While paying a heartfelt tribute to the outgoing director, Professor Inza Koné, the minister used the occasion to offer an uncompromising assessment of the resources allocated to national research.

“We suffer from underfunding of research. While the African Union recommends allocating 1% of GDP to this area, we are still at 0.08%. This is where Switzerland’s support is crucial,” Minister Diawara emphasized.

He also outlined future prospects, notably the creation of an Ivorian commercialization agency, modeled after the Swiss Innosuisse, to transform laboratory discoveries into tangible benefits for the people.

A measurable impact on the ground

The technical component of this celebration highlighted some telling figures. Dr. Yaya Sangaré, Secretary General of FONSTI, noted that Swiss support has helped fund 275 research projects and led to 145 doctoral dissertations.

For his part, Professor Juerg Utzinger, Director of Swiss TPH, emphasized the institution’s scientific significance: the CSRS alone accounts for 20% of scientific research in Côte d’Ivoire. This is a colossal contribution that extends beyond statistics to encompass food security, biodiversity, and public health.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, symbolizing a commitment to the next 25 years. For while the track record is impressive, the ambition remains unchanged: to make science the primary driver of social transformation in West Africa.

Samuel Kadio/L'infodrome.com