Episode 4: Rebuilding a National Math Team: Côte d’Ivoire’s IMO Comeback
with MIT IMO Coaching Team
In this episode, we speak with members of the MIT-led initiative supporting the revival of Côte d’Ivoire’s participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Once one of the strongest programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, Côte d’Ivoire’s IMO team declined following the 2010–2011 crisis, ultimately withdrawing from the competition in 2018. Today, a new generation of educators, students, and partners is working to rebuild that foundation — with a clear ambition to return to the highest level of global competition.
Recorded at MIT, this conversation explores how high-performance academic talent is identified, developed, and supported over time, combining local leadership with international collaboration.
This episode explores:
- The role of Mathematical Olympiads in developing advanced problem-solving skills
- How the MIT–Côte d’Ivoire coaching initiative was established through MISTI
- First-hand perspectives from MIT student instructors working in Abidjan
- The importance of structured training, consistency, and long-term vision
- Challenges around gender representation and the role of mentorship
- Why role models are critical in shaping future generations of mathematicians
For more details on Côte d’Ivoire’s IMO team and performance history: Cote d’Ivoire | IMO