In Côte d'Ivoire, HEC Challenge + is a program initiated by the renowned French business school HEC Paris, aimed at nurturing local start-ups and encouraging entrepreneurship among African innovators. According to government estimates, there are approximately 300 active start-ups in Côte d'Ivoire, with many entrepreneurs seeking prestigious training opportunities to enhance their business acumen. The program seeks to equip these entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to increase the value of their enterprises.

The first class of HEC Challenge + involves about twenty participants, comprising both men and women, who are eager to learn. One participant, Mariama Kaba from Senegal, highlights her motivation as she embarks on her entrepreneurial journey focusing on certifying informal sector workers' skills. She expresses the significance of stepping out of her previous roles in collaborative projects to concentrate on her initiative, acknowledging the importance of acquiring essential skills, particularly in finance, to advance her business aspirations.

The involvement of a high-profile institution like HEC Paris signals a commitment to support economic development in the region. By training emerging entrepreneurs, the program may contribute positively to job creation and innovation, potentially influencing the broader landscape of entrepreneurship in Africa. The initiative reflects a growing trend of leveraging educational resources to empower local communities through entrepreneurship, with the expectation that successful graduates will go on to establish significant start-ups that contribute to the continent's economic growth and resilience.