Nestlé’s Research and Development Center for Sub-Saharan Africa (Nestlé R&D SSA) and Côte d’Ivoire’s Nangui Abrogoua University (UNA) have renewed a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and youth employability in the country, both institutions announced this week.

The partnership, initially launched in 2018, focuses on building stronger ties between academia and industry by supporting scientific research, practical learning opportunities, and skills development for students and young professionals.

As part of the renewed agreement, representatives from Nestlé visited the university’s facilities, including laboratories and equipment provided through the collaboration, underscoring the tangible impact of the partnership on the institution’s academic and research capacities.

The renewed cooperation also reinforces the “Nestlé needs YOUth” initiative, a global program designed to improve youth employability through training, internships, mentorship, and professional integration opportunities. Officials said the initiative aims to better prepare students for the demands of the modern labor market and support innovation-driven development.

The agreement comes as African universities and private sector companies increasingly seek closer collaboration to address skills gaps, strengthen applied research, and foster innovation ecosystems capable of supporting economic transformation across the continent.

By combining academic expertise with industrial experience, Nestlé R&D SSA and Nangui Abrogoua University say they aim to contribute to the development of a stronger scientific and innovation ecosystem in Côte d’Ivoire and across Sub-Saharan Africa.