Last year, we transformed the Poro region of Côte d’Ivoire into a hub of opportunity. In partnership with Orange Corners Côte d’Ivoire implementing partner ESPartners, we equipped young aspiring farmers with the skills and connections needed to break into the horticulture sector.
Our mission? To empower young people with entrepreneurship training, job-hunting techniques and in-depth knowledge of the horticultural value chain. Through personal initiative training, CV-writing workshops and career discovery sessions, we gave them the tools to succeed. Just as crucially, we bridged the gap between learning and real-world experience — ensuring every selected student secured a three-month internship with one of our partners.
Our impact
- 50 young people trained, 40% of them women
- 30 students landed internships at leading agribusinesses, including cashew-processing giant COPABA and rice producer SOAIDA-CI
- One participant even secured a full-time job immediately after finishing the programme
A group of students taking part even launched their own juice business, using cashew waste in an innovative new venture! Maybe we’ll see them back one day for our Orange Corners Côte d’Ivoire incubation programme?
What they had to say
The students walked away with more than just experience — they gained confidence and career perspectives. One intern reflected: “the internship allowed me to link theoretical lessons to practice and to have great ideas about cocoa farming as well as the agricultural world! And the businesses? They were just as positive, calling the students “motivated, quick learners” and urging for the programme’s expansion to help combat youth unemployment.
The verdict
This programme wasn’t just about training — it was about laying the groundwork for the next generation of hortipreneurs. With new skills, fresh ideas and hands-on experience, these young people are ready to shape the future of Côte d’Ivoire’s horticulture sector.
