The NGO Opportunities Industrialization Center Côte d'Ivoire (OIC-CI) celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Bouaké. This commemoration, marked by gratitude and thanksgiving, brought together leaders, former employees, and partners to review a history rich in social impact.

A historic journey celebrated in faith

Founded in 1976 and officially recognized by the Ivorian state in 1986 , the OIC-CI has established itself as a pillar in the fight against poverty. The ceremony, marked by songs and moving testimonies, allowed founder Kouadio Djan Maurice and the pioneers to reflect on the journey they have undertaken.

“We are pausing to magnify the Lord for all that he has accomplished in the life of the OIC Côte d’Ivoire for the past five decades,” stressed Elia Kassi , executive director of the Bouaké center.

Vocational training: The heart of the matter

Affiliated with the international OIC network, the NGO focuses on the socio-economic integration of young people, whether they are graduates, out of school, or unemployed. The training programs offered are resolutely geared towards financial independence.

1. Key sectors: Agriculture, livestock farming, farm management, micro-enterprise management.
2. Specialty: Recognized expertise in the production of parboiled rice.
3. Flexibility: Short cycles not exceeding three months .

Two learning methods coexist:

1. The project mode: Funded by donors, with full support up to professional integration.
2. Customized training: Open to any individual wishing to acquire technical skills (particularly in soilless cultivation).

An appeal to the youth and a plea to the State

Faced with employment challenges, the OIC-CI urges young people to seize these opportunities to create income-generating activities.

However, to sustain this momentum, the leaders are advocating for a return of institutional support. Frédéric Brou , representing the Board of Directors, requested the reinstatement of the state subsidy, emphasizing the organization's public benefit status. The objective is clear: to strengthen the OIC-CI as a key instrument of the national "second chance school" policy.