To mark its 55th anniversary, the National Lottery of Côte d'Ivoire (LONACI) celebrated youth and excellence. On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the company recognized 55 young Ivorian talents at a prestigious ceremony held at the LONACI "Dramane Coulibaly" Studios in Biétry (Marcory).

The "Talent Awalé" trophy to boost youth

Coming from sectors as diverse as media, digital technology, entrepreneurship, sports, culture, and the arts, these award winners received the "Lonaci Awalé Talent" prize. This distinction recognizes their inspiring journeys and their positive impact on Ivorian society.

“We want to encourage these talents and generate commitment from other actors to support their initiatives in order to strengthen their impact within society,” explained Abdoulkarim Ouattara, Deputy Director General of LONACI.

Beyond simply rewarding the project, this initiative aims to create lasting partnerships to support the projects of these young leaders.

Sharing experiences and highlights

The event also featured a high-level panel discussion where several emblematic figures of success in Côte d'Ivoire shared their journeys and challenges. Among them were:

1. Mariam Coulibaly , director of RTI 2
2. Elie Kuame , stylist
3. Edith Brou , blogger and entrepreneur
4. Franck Vlehi , actor and producer
5. Gertrude Konan , airline pilot

Two highlights particularly marked the evening:

1. The posthumous tribute: A minute of silence was observed in memory of the actress Nadiya Sabeh , followed by the presentation of a trophy in her honor.
2. The artistic touch: The painter Ulrich Abé made a splash by offering a personalized work of art to the DGA, Abdoulkarim Ouattara.

This celebration is part of the ongoing festivities for the 55th anniversary of LONACI, which officially kicked off on April 30th.