Speech by President Alassane Ouattara on the Occasion of National Excellence Day 2026

Abidjan, August 3, 2026 Official message from Head of State, H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, following the National Excellence Awards ceremony.

"On Monday, August 3rd, I had the honor of presiding over National Excellence Day and presenting the Excellence Awards to the 2026 laureates.

This deeply symbolic day aims to promote a culture of merit and encourage excellence across all sectors of activity. It is also a tribute paid by the Nation to its most deserving daughters and sons.

This year, 80 Excellence Awards were presented out of 3,977 applications. They are teachers, farmers, entrepreneurs, women, and young people who work with unwavering commitment and give the very best of themselves often away from the spotlight to move our country forward.

All of these laureates form an active and committed community that contributes, year after year, to building a stronger, more efficient, and more prosperous Côte d'Ivoire.

I made a point of reminding our recipients that their distinctions confer upon them a special responsibility: to embody exemplariness. Indeed, every award granted is a message sent to an entire generation to commit with determination to hard work, to strive for quality, and to cultivate innovation.

The sustainable transformation of our Nation relies on the mobilization of all its daughters and sons, as well as on embedding a true culture of excellence. It is built by women and men who choose, every day, to give their best in their respective fields for the common good.

Starting with the 2027 edition, we will initiate the reform of the National Excellence Award. The objective will be to further highlight sector-specific achievements and reserve national distinctions for truly exceptional career paths and accomplishments.

Our vision is to continue making hard work, merit, and excellence the cardinal values of our youth and the bedrock of our country’s sustainable development.

I reiterate my warmest congratulations to all the laureates of the 2026 edition.

Together, let us continue building a Côte d'Ivoire where merit is recognized, where excellence is encouraged, and where everyone contributes through their talent, commitment, and hard work to the greatness of our Nation."