On May 21 and 22, 2025, the Supdeco Dakar Group held the 9th edition of its School-Business Forum at the Dakar Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (CCIAD).
Under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Jobs: Opportunities and Challenges for Tomorrow’s Talents”,
the event reaffirmed its role as a strategic platform linking academia, industry, and public institutions.
Opening Ceremony and Immersion into the Professional World
The first day began with an official opening ceremony featuring impactful speeches:
- Chimère NDIAYE, Secretary General of the CCIAD, praised Supdeco as a pioneer in school-business collaboration and encouraged students to be bold.
- Youssou DIOP, Executive Director of CNES, advocated for a strong and structured partnership between education and industry.
- Abdoul Aziz SY, Deputy CEO of Supdeco, shared a forward-looking vision emphasizing the importance of human-centered mastery of AI.
- Amadou WAGNE, representative of the Minister of Higher Education, confirmed Supdeco’s alignment with national priorities focused on STEM and innovation.
A dynamic exhibition followed, showcasing stands from prominent companies and institutions such as:
Port Autonome de Dakar, SENELEC, CMA CGM, KPMG, SANLAM, UBA, AUCHAN, AGL, ANPEJ, ADEPME, the Directorate of Employment, and several Supdeco departments.
The afternoon featured direct recruitment interviews and project funding sessions for young entrepreneurs. Hundreds of students met with recruiters, showcased their profiles, and explored professional and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Targeted Recruitment, Student Innovation & Expert Panel
The second day began with a continuation of individual and group interviews, boasting a participation rate of 81% over both days.
In the afternoon, three innovative student-led technology projects were publicly presented:
- Academic Performance Analysis App
- AI-powered Note-taking & MCQ Generator App
- Prototype for an AI-integrated Self-driving Car
This was followed by a high-level closing conference on the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Jobs”, bringing together renowned experts who explored the regulatory, educational, technological, and ethical dimensions of AI.
Speakers included:
- Ndeye Awa GUEYE – Program Officer, LuxDev
- Fatou FAYE – Research Professor, Supdeco
- Mamadou DIALLO – Deputy CEO & HR Director, GAINDE 2000
- Mohamadou MBENGUE – Director, Grant Thornton Technologies
- Me Léon Patrice SARR – Partner Lawyer, LPS Lawyers
Official Closing and Recommendations to the State
The closing ceremony featured key messages from:
- Ousmane FASSA, Director of Corporate Relations, who expressed gratitude to all partners.
- Yasmine SY SARR, Director of Strategic Development, who shared highlights and future perspectives.
- Professor Omar NIANG, Advisor to the Prime Minister, relayed a message from Prime Minister Ousmane SONKO, emphasizing the importance of human capital.
- Ibrahima THIAM, Secretary of State for the Development of SMEs, reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening education-employment synergies.
Special Thanks to Our Partner Companies
Supdeco Dakar extends its sincere thanks to all the companies and institutions that contributed to the forum’s success, including:
Port Autonome de Dakar, SENELEC, CMA CGM, KPMG, SANLAM, UBA, AUCHAN, AGL, ANPEJ, ADEPME, the Directorate of Employment, and various Supdeco departments.
A Shout-Out to Our Dream Team of Students
Thank you to our dream team of student organizers!
Your commitment, professionalism, and energy were key to the success of the 2025 School-Business Forum.