Interview with Alexis John Ahyee, Director of HEC Paris for West and Central Africa

Le Plateau is a bit like La Défense in Abidjan!

Why did you open an HEC office in Abidjan?

Alexis John Ahyee - We have already been operating in the region for a number of years, particularly in Abidjan, using the hotel infrastructure. Today, by opening an office, with integrated classrooms, we are serving the demand, which is there. The reception is very good. We organise ongoing training programmes for managers and executives. Abidjan has become a hub given the uninterrupted economic growth over the last few years, and its central geographical location. From Abidjan, you can get to virtually every capital in the region in less than an hour. It's a strategic location, between West and Central Africa. The opening of this office also aims to anticipate our development in this part of Africa: from Abidjan, we'll be able to operate with peace of mind in this zone.

How would you describe the Ivorian economy today, and its place on a regional or international scale?

Alexis John Ahyee - Côte d'Ivoire's economy is showing results that speak for themselves, with a sustained growth over the last ten years. It's an economy based on very solid fundamentals, with strong sectors such as cocoa, coffee, cotton, etc. In addition to this strong agriculture, the Ivorian economy is in the process of diversifying, developing and diversifying. digitise. It's a modernising economy, and the youth of the population also guarantees great potential. So there's a whole ecosystem of start-ups developing in Abidjan, with incubators and local initiatives such as Jokkolabsand the involvement of major players such as Orange. There is a real desire to supporting start-upsThis is particularly true of the Ivorian employers' association, the Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d'Ivoire, CGECI). Entrepreneurship is now a real social lift, well identified by governments and civil society organisations. A change is taking place, and we are going to support it. Entrepreneurship is a strategic area of development for HEC Paris. We strongly believe in entrepreneurship in Africa. We have already developed incubators in Paris and Lebanon, and we plan to develop incubators in Africa too.

What is your view of the Plateau, where HEC has chosen to set up?

Alexis John Ahyee - For us, it was a matter of course to be just a few minutes away from the big decision-makers. Le Plateau is a bit like Abidjan's La Défense! It's a business district that's a bit old-fashioned, but it's coming back to life and is going to undergo a metamorphosis over the next ten years. So it's best to be there today.

This business district seems frozen in time. Can it really evolve?

Alexis John Ahyee - In my opinion, the Plateau is still underused. It has enormous potential. It's an area where business people can project themselves. We saw in London that you could build in the heart of the city, in the City. We've also seen it in New York. It is possible to totally transform this part of Abidjan which, even if it is an old-fashioned business district, remains emblematic. With the development of the Baie de Cocody and the other projects coming on stream, there are opportunities. I'm optimistic.