Women Working for Change” cocktail: Dominique Ouattara shares her professional experience and social commitments with participants

First Lady Dominique Ouattara, chaired the ‘’Women Working for Change’’ cocktail, organized on the sidelines of the 12th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, on Tuesday May 13, 2025, at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire.

 The ‘’Women Working for Change’’ Cocktail is an event dedicated to promoting female leadership in the business environment. The event brought together a number of women investors, entrepreneurs and businesswomen, as well as influential figures from the private sector.

In a friendly and inspiring atmosphere, Mrs Dominique Ouattara shared her professional background, as well as her humanitarian commitment through the Children Of Africa Foundation, which she has been leading with dedication for over 24 years.

In her address, the First Lady stressed the importance of women’s role in the continent’s economic development. She recalled that Africa’s lasting success depends on greater inclusion of women in the decision-making and entrepreneurial spheres. She also encouraged women to believe in their potential, and to fully invest their skills in transforming their communities. “I therefore encourage you, dear sisters, to continue to dare, to take bold decision for your business, but also to reach out to others. For it is by joining forces, by sharing our experiences, by building bridges between generations, that we will strengthen our place in the decision-making spheres. Each of you is a role model for African youth. Together, let’s make sure that our success becomes a lever for inclusion, justice and transformation for our continent”, declared Mrs Dominique Ouattara.

Mrs Dominique Ouattara then presented her inspiring career path and her commitments through her Foundation and to the empowerment and protection of women’s rights. Indeed, the wife of the Head of State recalled her career path through the creation of the AICI International Group and the acquisition and development of the Jacques Dessange USA Group, specialized in beauty products and services. For Mrs Dominique Ouattara, this career has enabled her to develop values such as discipline, autonomy and a sense of responsibility, but above all, the conviction that success is only meaningful if it is put at the service of others.

That’s why, in the 90s, the First Lady decided to get involved in social actions to help vulnerable children and, gradually, women in distress. “In 1998, I founded the Children of Africa Foundation to structure and amplify this social commitment. At the same time, I remained involved in my professional activities, which I gave up in 2011, following the election of my husband, Alassane Ouattara, as  President of our Country. From that moment on, I devoted myself solely to the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children and their mothers”, declared                 Mrs Dominique Ouattara.  The First Lady continued to say: “Today, the Children of Africa Foundation is operating in Côte d’Ivoire in the fields of education, health and social services, and in 11 other African countries through subsidized centers. In 27 years, and according to the vision that has always been mine, we have, with the support of our generous donors and the daily work of a team of dedicated volunteers, successfully completed numerous projects in the three sectors mentioned above”. In the health sector, she mentioned the construction of the Bingerville Mother and Child Hospital, as well as the Home of life, which provides free accommodation for sick children and their families. In the education sector, the wife of the President of the Republic cited the construction of a highschool in Kong and the Children of Africa school in Abobo. In the social sector, the President of Children Of Africa recalled the reconstruction of the foundations shelter in Plateau and the construction of three other reception centers for children in distress in Soubré, Ferkessedougou and Bouake. Concerning the protection of women’s rights, the wife of the Head of State presented her latest project, the Adiake “Safe Home” for abused women.  She ended by presenting the Support Fund for Ivorian women (FAFCI). Today, with a capital of 28 billion F CFA, the FAFCI has enabled 420,000 women across Côte d’Ivoire to come out from poverty. “Today, FAFCI has become an effective tool for empowerment, with a capital of 28 billion FCFA, for more than 420,000 women financed throughout the country, to help lift them out of poverty and promote female entrepreneurship, as well as the financial inclusion of our sisters across the country. Thanks to FAFCI program, these women have now access to loans from traditional banks, and are becoming true entrepreneurs,” said Mrs Dominique Ouattara. “This important mission is the next step in my professional development. Today, for me, giving other women an opportunity to achieve their potential has become a leitmotiv in its own right.” She added.

But long before the First Lady’s speech, the honor fell to Mr. Amir Ben Yahmed, Chairman and CEO of Jeune Afrique Media Group, to set the scene for the meeting. Mr. Amir Ben Yahmed spoke of the importance of the community of women leaders for the Africa CEO forum.

 Following this, Mrs Danielle Ben Yahmed, Vice-President of Jeune Afrique Media Group, thanked the First Lady for her presence. She said that she alone represented all the values cherished by women.