Strengthening our Partnership with Côte d'Ivoire's biggest university

On Monday, 19^th January, Shared Interest Managing Director, Kerrey Baker, together with Shared Interest Foundation Manager, Kodzo Korkortsi, visited Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (UFHB). Named after the country’s first President, UFHB is the largest university in Côte d'Ivoire, home to over 50,000 students.

President of UFHB, Professor Ballo Zié, welcomed Kerrey and Kodzo alongside Vice President of Research and Technological Innovation, Professor Sangare Abdoulaye, and Professor Camara Brahima, Head of the Research Valorization Service.

Discussions centred Shared Interest Foundation’s pioneering joint-initiative with UFHB: ‘Improving cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire through the biological control of pests and diseases’.

An initiative of national importance

Launched in August 2024, in partnership with the Centre for the Production of Biopesticides of the University Felix Houphouet Boigny (CPB) and the Ivorian Fair Trade Network (RICE), this collaborative project is dedicated to developing a biopesticide based on entomopathogenic fungi, designed to effectively combat insect pests affecting cocoa farms throughout the region.

Speaking at the project’s launch event, Professor Brahima stated: 

"This project is of national interest as we are the world’s number one producer of cocoa. I am impressed by the level of engagement of all stakeholders represented here.”

Kodzo attended the event alongside representatives of RICE, UFHB, University of Ghana, Ministry of Agriculture, ANADER, Cocoa and Coffee Council (CCC) and participating cocoa co-operatives. The event was also attended by local news networks, including Ivorian National Television.

Collaborating for the future of Cocoa

With significant environmental, economic and social added value, this innovation positions itself as a credible alternative to conventional pesticides, contributing to the preservation of ecosystems, the protection of farmers' health, and the improvement of agricultural productivity. It is fully aligned with contemporary trends toward responsible and resilient agriculture, grounded in science and local innovation.

During Kerrey’s visit, Professor Ballo Zié welcomed institutional synergy, highlighting Shared Interest Foundation's commitment to strengthening national scientific capacities and promoting university research.

He said: "Let us mention the scope of this collaboration, which will ultimately make the developed biopesticide accessible to stakeholders in the cocoa sector through the dissemination of this agreement framework via the Ivorian Fair Trade Network (RICE)."

Kerrey reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to deepening its cooperation with UFHB, with this project demonstrating how collaborations between industry and research institutions can solve critical societal challenges.

Kerrey said: "We cannot effectively address development challenges without research and innovation. This cannot be done in isolation, but through close collaborations with scientific institutions capable of supporting these ambitions."

We are deeply appreciative of our local partners for their invaluable contributions of time and expertise over the past 18 months, which have been instrumental in making this project possible. We look forward to updating you on this project as it progresses. Connect with us on social media to keep in touch.

Our impacts are made possible through the generosity of donations.

In 2025, with the support of 1,878 donors and eight grant-makers, we delivered 14 projects in seven countries across Africa and Latin America, working with 15 local partners.

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