On 28 March 2024, Asta-Rosa Cissé, Regional Director of Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, launched the activities of "YIRI", Africa Global Logistics' innovation flagship.

This centre, located in the heart of the Ivorian capital, is designed to support the digital transformation of logistics in Africa, by stimulating innovation at AGL.

"YIRI will provide a framework for creativity and the exploration of new ideas that can have a positive impact on the logistics industry in Africa. A number of specific support programmes will be launched to enable young people to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to

Ideation and implementation of digitalisation projects. They will also enable the African start-up ecosystem to benefit from opportunities to bring their solutions to market.

"The launch of "YIRI" is a crucial step in the implementation of our corporate strategy "At the heart of Africa's transformations". This collaborative platform between students, start-ups, AGL employees and customers will be a veritable melting pot from which innovative solutions will emerge, adapted to the needs of the African continent.

To the specific realities of our continent and respectful of the environment. Our credo is to enable the acceleration of start-ups", emphasised Fatou Diomandé, appointed Head of the Abidjan Innovation Centre.

The "YIRI" Centre, built in the heart of the Marcory district of Abidjan, will house modular and collaborative spaces offering students, AGL employees and start-ups an optimal working environment thanks to the technological tools deployed there. It will also offer a varied programme of events open to the general public, including themed conferences, pitch competitions, innovation challenges and masterclasses focusing on the key areas of interest in digitalization (artificial intelligence, mobility, etc.).

"We are delighted to launch "YIRI", designed to catalyse innovation not only among AGL employees and customers, but also among university students and start-up promoters.

This initiative is a contribution to the efforts made by African countries in general, and Côte d'Ivoire in particular, to promote professional integration", said Asta-Rosa Cissé, Regional Director of AGL Côte d'Ivoire-Burkina Faso.

"YIRI", whose first activities are being launched on 18 March 2024, consolidates Africa Global Logistics' commitment to empowering African youth. This initiative will benefit from the density of AGL's port, logistics, maritime and rail facilities and skills, the company's training centres and AGL's sponsorship programme.

Abidjan.net