The environment, public health and food safety were the 3 themes of this 6th edition of the Employers' Prize for Research and Innovation. The ceremony was held at the CGECI building in Plateau on Thursday December 07, 2023, in the presence of Prof DIAWARA Adama, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Organized in collaboration with the Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d'Ivoire (CGECI) since 2013 by the Comité paritaire MESRS/secteur Privé, headed by Maître HOEGAH Théodore, and the Direction de la Valorisation et de l'Innovation du MESRS, this event aims to contribute to the creation and development of businesses through the valorization of research results, inventions and innovations.

Prof. NINDJIN Charlemagne, Director of Valorization and Innovation (MESRS) thanked the partners present (ASCAD, Ministry of Communication, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, FONSTI, Institut Pasteur, UNIDO, etc.) and stressed the importance of everyone's commitment to the success of the day.

Dr DAO Daouda, Deputy Director General of CSRS, represented the Director General. Maître Hoegah took advantage of the ceremony to announce his retirement from the Joint Committee after 16 years of loyal service, and presented gifts to Committee members for their support over the years.

7 winners out of a total of 30 candidates were rewarded with 3 incentive prizes of 2 million and 3 first prizes of 5 million CFA francs. The Special Prize of 10 million CFA francs was won by Dr. Edi Abé Valère for his innovation: Biogas from cassava, a clean energy source. In his speech, the Minister congratulated the winners and praised the quality of Ivorian researchers in general, urging them, like the winners of this year's competition, to explore research themes in line with the country's development needs, but also in phase with the Research and Development priorities of companies. Innovations drive the country forward and create jobs, so they are to be encouraged and supported.

A.K.A. /CelCom