The Government's vision is to “develop a competitive, innovative, and equitable Higher Education and Research System, a driving force for the emergence of Côte d'Ivoire.”

This vision is based, in terms of scientific research, on major intervention axes which are:

• strengthening the governance of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Research Institutions;
• enhancing the Research and Innovation framework;
• developing a relevant and quality research offer;
• increasing funding for Research and Innovation;
• developing partnerships between Research Institutions and socio-economic sectors; and
• promoting Research and Innovation as well as disseminating and valuing its results.

To achieve this objective, several actors work in perfect synergy, notably the Ministry responsible for Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and Research Centers and Institutes, including the National Center for Agronomic Research (CNRA), the Oceanographic Research Center (CRO), and the Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire (IPCI).

Regarding the MESRS, in terms of Scientific Research, its assigned mission is outlined as follows:

• promoting, guiding, valuing, and disseminating Research;
• promoting technological innovation and technology transfer;
• developing international cooperation in Scientific, Technological, and Technical Research;
• conserving and protecting the National Scientific Heritage.

As for the Research Centers and Institutes, their purpose is to develop and implement research programs/projects related to the needs of communities and the economic sectors of the country.

The main activities of the Research Centers and Institutes are organized around 08 Competence Poles (See table below) responsible for the development and implementation of National Research Programs (PNR).

Competence Poles of Research and Innovation

Source: General Directorate of Research and Innovation (DGRI), Presentation Manual of the Competence Poles

Since 2011, the Government has undertaken significant actions to improve the research and innovation offer, notably the restructuring of research, the development of community resources (the National Computing Center and the National Analysis Center), the rehabilitation and equipping of research centers and institutes (IPCI, CRO, CRE, CNRA, etc.), and the strengthening of funding for research and innovation through the creation of the Fund for Science, Technology, and Innovation (FONSTI).

As of 2021, the scientific research framework includes 73 research centers and institutes whose activities are supported by 336 researchers.

In the context of implementing the National Development Plan (PND) 2021-2025 and the Sectoral Education-Training Plan (PSE) 2016-2025 and the National Research Policy, the main actions of the Sub-Sector of Higher Education and Scientific Research to be implemented are as follows:

• strengthening the legal, institutional, and management framework of the Higher Education and Scientific Research System;
• enhancing the Research and Innovation framework and capacities;
• developing community resources;
• implementing National Research Programs;
• increasing funding for Research and Innovation;
• strengthening the partnership framework with socio-economic sectors;
• disseminating and valuing the results of Research and Innovation.