National entrepreneurship genius in Benin: Unstim and its partners commit to Benin’s industrial revolution

After welcoming the participants and distinguished guests, the Vice-Rector in charge of Cooperation, Professor Thierry G. Godjo, was full of praise for the organising committee, which he said had worked tirelessly to produce this sumptuous edition of Geneb.

He was followed by the Unstim student representative, who recalled that the Geneb is an event that brings together the various university centres of Lokossa, Dassa, Natitingou and Abomey under the banner of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Geneb teaches each student a set of behaviours, values and knowledge that encourage them to be themselves, to make decisions with the players in Benin’s major companies. This initiative enables students to develop new ideas and acquire the knowledge they need to identify business opportunities, assess risks and find lasting solutions to challenges.

From GeneB to the UNSTIM entrepreneurship centre

The Rector of Unstim, Professor Joachim Djimon Gbenou, added: “Unstim and its partners aim to create a framework for learners, teacher-researchers and leaders of the professional world, both national and international, to exchange ideas, mature thoughts and propose concrete solutions to make employability a lever for Benin’s development”.

The GeneB, now in its second year, has already attracted the attention of international institutions such as the World Bank, which sent a delegation, and Benin National Employers’ Council, represented by Bernard Hounnonvi. Unstim’s highest authority made a strong statement to reassure his guests: “I can promise you that, with the help of the authorities, our ambition is to build Unstim’s house of entrepreneurship here in Abomey by 2024”.

The Rector also addressed his superior, the Minister of Higher Education, who was unable to honour Sogbo Aliho’s appointment for republican reasons. He also took the opportunity to pay a heartfelt tribute to his predecessor, Professor Amen Abiassi, without whom, he said, Geneb would never have seen the light of day in Benin.

The inaugural ceremony of this 2nd edition of GeneB ended with a family photo and a tour of the stands by the officials.

Given the sumptuous picture of achievements painted by the students, the Rector did not hesitate to appeal to partners and political and administrative authorities. “Find us a point of support and Unstim will boost Benin’s industrial and economic development”, he said.

The work of this 2nd edition of GeneB is continuing in the amphitheatres with round tables, communications, conferences, and so on. All of which will help the students to come up with the best business projects.

Unstim students visit GDIZ

As part of the activities taking place during GeneB week, on Wednesday 11 September the rectoral authorities arranged for around fifty students to visit the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ). The aim of the initiative is not only to deepen the students’ knowledge of Benin’s industrial hub, but also to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills. According to Vice-Rector Thierry G. Godjo, who led the delegation, “industry is a fundamental lever for economic development and the empowerment of young people. This visit will enable them to understand the importance of being a player in this field.

After seeing the modern and varied facilities dedicated to the processing of raw materials such as cotton, pineapple, cashew nuts and shea nuts, the students’ enthusiasm was palpable. “We’ve seen it with our own eyes and we’re amazed. One day, we too are going to do everything we can to put our foot down in the fields that we embrace at Unstim,” reassured Vianney Lima, one of the students. They expressed their satisfaction with the opportunity offered to them by GDIZ, especially in terms of internships, jobs and the development of their business projects.

GeneB is thus positioning itself as an essential link in the industrialisation of the country. And it will do so as the Unstim authorities commit to training a generation of engineers capable of transforming local industries in a rapidly expanding environment.