Outlook

Retrospective on FATA launch

We launched FATA in Guinea in April with several events:

• an online coding contest in May that gathered more than 1300 registrations,
• media interviews with FIM FM, Djoma, and Espace TV,
• the FATA contest award ceremony on June 3, 2023, hosted by Saboutech, an incubator in Conakry.
• The "Digital Talents and the Future of Guinea" conference hosted in collaboration with the Institut Supérieur de Technologie in Mamou,
• Thanks to SOLA MEDIA, a communications company specializing in Web & TV Streaming, the events were live-streamed

We want to express our gratitude to all the people we had the privilege to meet and acknowledge their generous support of the FATA initiative.

First and foremost, we thank "our young people": they were primary information relays for FATA. Their participation in the contest confirmed our goal of promoting the skills of the youth. We discovered talents that represent a true promise for the country, and we are proud to support them.

If FATA can help bridge the gap between Francophone and Anglophone Africa in the digital field, it's a promising perspective.

François Gonothi Touré, one of the contest winners and CEO of Chiktap.

Whether through online courses, hackathons, or other collaborative initiatives, I believe FATA has the power to inspire and equip the next generation of digital innovators and problem solvers.

Mamadou Oury Diallo, one of the contest winners, a student at Ahmadou Dieng.

We thank the teachers who showed interest in our educational project and allowed us to present our coding contest to computer engineering students from the Gamal Abdel Nasser, Koffi Annan, Nongo, Barack Obama, Mercure International, Ibrahima Sory Touré universities in Conakry, and the Higher Institute of Technology in Mamou.

Computer science is holistic; there's no discipline that doesn't need computer science.

Abdoulaye Sylla, research professor at IST Mamou.

We thank the journalists who got our goals of contributing to youth development and welcomed us on their show, giving us a platform in "Les Vendredis de la Jeunesse", "Pays de Cocagne", "Parce que l'Éducation est une Priorité", and "Le Plus Lion des Morning".

In this 21st century, it's technology that markets a country, it's technology that enables children to adapt, and this technology saves lives.

Kadiatou Diallo, columnist at Djoma Média.

We thank SABOUTECH for hosting the award ceremony of the first FATA contest, as well as the guests and speakers:

The growth of companies is hindered by a lack of digital skills.

Fodé Momo Bangoura, CEO of Nimba Solutions and External Relations Officer of DEVSCOM.

One must be willing to self-train and use their internet access wisely. School only provides 25% of the skills; the remaining 75% comes from oneself.

Aboubacar Sidiki Condé, CEO of Afric Innovation Technologie.

We also thank our sponsors for the event on June 3: Diamdiam industrie, the JIO establishments of Mr. Shanghai, and Conakry Dreams restaurant catering and gastronomy training center in Sonfonia.

We express our heartfelt appreciation to the inspiring team of teachers at IST Mamou. We co-organized a symposium held on June 24 in the university's amphitheater. Professors, students, and alumni discussed the contribution of young developers to Guinea's future. Some encouraging quotes, both for the youth and for FATA:

Digital technology multiplies possibilities. You are the experts of your territory.

Stéphane Kablan Allou, Administrative and Financial Director of Digital Africa.

Guinea, with its cultural richness, natural potential, and dynamic youth, has all the chances to become a major player in the global digital economy.

Ibrahima Sory Yansané, FATA contest winner, student at IST Mamou.

Step out of your comfort zones, pursue your passions, and contribute to making life better in Guinea.

Aissatou Bobo Diallo, FATA contest winner, student at IST Mamou.

We will be Guinea's ambassadors in the global technology community.

Moustapha Camara, FATA contest winner, student at IST Mamou.

Contests are important as they strengthen the desire to learn and progress, and enable self-assessment of technical skills.

Nacirou Diallo from the Innovation Directorate of the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation MESRSI.

The future belongs to the most courageous. Be persistent.

Dr. Nicolas Millimono, Deputy General Director, IST Mamou.

Lastly, a special thank you to SOLA MEDIA, without whom our events wouldn't have had such visibility. Their expert and unwavering support has been invaluable throughout the launch of FATA.

Now that this first launch phase has passed, we are working on our mobile training app. Stay tuned!

We regularly publish articles to inform our members and partners of the progress and impact of the FATA project. See all articles