IMPACT Project - An academia partnership to support the development of the École polytechnique de Lomé

Strengthening the secondary and tertiary sectors is a priority for Togo’s economic development. To this end, high-growth sectors with low investment requirements offer a strong potential. 
The project responds to the needs formulated in Togo’s National Development Plan, as well as by the World Bank in 2017 and in the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development’s 2019 Digital Economy Report.
The development of training programmes in the field of engineering mathematics applied to logistics, computer science, artificial intelligence and big data is thus a great asset as it helps leverage the flow and data economies. This drives substantial improvements in tertiary-sector practices and performance and offers Togolese youth new high-potential occupations. 

The IMPACT project aims to set up a long-term strategic partnership for higher education training at the Université de Lomé: a quality, job-oriented Bachelor’s/Licence, Masters and PhD/Doctorate programme that is attractive at national, regional and international level. 

The ambition? Contribute to the development of the tertiary sector by setting up training programmes in engineering mathematics applied to logistics, computer science and data science. Designed in close collaboration with Togo’s economic actors, all the programmes will ultimately deliver a double degree, one Togolese, the other French, at Bachelor’s/Licence, Master’s and PhD/Doctorate level. The Bachelor’s/Licence and Master’s degrees will be recognised by the Commission des titres d'ingénieurs (national accreditation board).

This project was selected for the first edition of the “Academia Partnerships Africa-France” programme (PeA). It is financed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs via the Agence française de développement (AFD). The PeA programme is implemented by the Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR – French National Research Agency) and Campus France with support from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. 

This project contributes to achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):  

• Co-build quality, job-oriented training programmes on the African continent (SDG 4).
• Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and promote innovation  (SDG 9).
• Reduce inequality (SDG 10).