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Foresight · Defence & security · Geopolitics

Understanding the world to make better decisions

Shifting balances of power, persistent transnational threats and accelerating technological disruption mean that decision-making can no longer merely react. The Institut de Stratégies Abidjan and the Strategic Reflection Circle “Abidjan” give Ivorian and African leaders the tools of anticipation.

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Attend the Afterwork
Institute · ISA

Training, advisory & strategic studies

Certified programmes, capacity building and tailored studies for companies and institutions.

Professional services
Think tank · CRSA

quarterly Afterwork

A quarterly meeting open to all, decoding the geopolitical dynamics shaping Africa.

Free and open access
90 hStrategic Studies Programme
12modules and 3 tracks
50 hPolitical Quarter, 7 modules
4 / yearQuarterly Afterwork, free admission

Two organisations, one standard

Training leaders and enriching public debate

The Institute sells expertise; the Circle shares reflection. Both stem from the same conviction: in a strategic environment saturated with uncertainty, the quality of a decision depends first on the quality of the analysis behind it.

Why two organisations?

Certified training

Strategic Studies, Political Quarter, Ivorian Strategic Thinking: demanding programmes delivered online.

Capacity building, studies & surveys

Tailored programmes, foresight assessments and opinion surveys for companies and institutions.

Quarterly Afterwork

A quarterly meeting at the end of the day: one strategic question, invited speakers and an open discussion with the audience.

Upcoming

The next session, the next major debate

ISA trainingOnline

Strategic Studies Programme

90 hours over one semester, two cohorts a year, 12 modules and 3 tracks to master the analytical frameworks of contemporary strategy.

Two cohorts a year · January–June and July–December

Register
CRSA eventFree

The Circle’s quarterly Afterwork

The Circle’s quarterly meeting: one strategic question, invited speakers and an open discussion with the audience, at the end of the day.

Next edition announced one month ahead · Abidjan

Register

Think tank · CRSA · free admission

Six open doors into strategy

The Circle sells nothing: it passes on. Activists, students, civil-society leaders, curious minds — each of these formats has its audience, its rhythm and its calendar. Registration is free; a voluntary contribution is always welcome, never required.

March → December · three sessions a month

Horizons Stratégiques programme

Ten months to learn how to read a balance of power, build an argument and anticipate a crisis. Designed for activists and leaders of parties and associations.

Recruitment in January and February.

All year round · one cohort

Strat’ Po

Coaching for first-year political science students, run with faculties, parents and guardians: turning curiosity into method, from the very first year.

A cohort of 15 to 20 students.

July or August · once a year

Free University of Geopolitics

The Circle’s annual scientific meeting: researchers, practitioners and the public around the shifts that bind West Africa.

No degree required.

April and November · in person

Economic Intelligence Café

Two meetings a year, around one table: monitoring, protecting your information, holding your ground in competition. Led by practitioners.

Free entry, subject to available seats.

July → September · online

WAEMU Integration

Three months for around twenty civil-society leaders from the sub-region: building concrete ties between citizens of the WAEMU area through training.

Around twenty places.

Every month · online

Web session of the month

An invited expert, a theme drawn from current affairs, then an hour of questions and answers with the audience.

Theme announced one month ahead.

See the full programme
Register for a session

Our approach

From reading the world to informed choices

Our work combines four strategic functions, found in every programme, every study and every panel.

Anticipate

Detect weak signals, build contrasting scenarios and identify plausible disruptions before they become crises.

Understand

Read balances of power, actors’ logics and regional dynamics, from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel.

Protect

Think of security in all its dimensions, human, economic and informational, and strengthen organisational resilience.

Decide

Turn analysis into reasoned options, prioritise risks and support decisions made under time pressure.

“Anticipation is not prediction: it is reducing the share of the unforeseen in every decision.”

Guiding principle of the Institute

The founder

Dr Sylvain N’Guessan

A specialist in Foresight, Defence and Security, Dr Sylvain N’Guessan founded the Institut de Stratégies Abidjan and then the Strategic Reflection Circle “Abidjan” with one ambition: to give Côte d’Ivoire its own capacity for strategic thinking.

“For too long, the analytical frameworks for our own challenges have been produced elsewhere. Training our leaders in anticipation means reclaiming part of our intellectual sovereignty.”

Read the biography

ISA training

Programmes to think, decide and act strategically

Each programme combines theoretical foundations, African case studies and practical decision-support methods.

90 h · July to December

Strategic Studies

Our flagship programme: 12 modules and 3 tracks, from classical strategic thought to hybrid conflict.

50 h · 7 modules

Political Quarter

Understand the mechanics of power, institutions and public opinion to act lucidly in public life.

Short session

Ivorian Strategic Thinking

Economic intelligence for decision-makers: monitoring, protecting information assets and exerting influence.

View the full catalogue

Publications

Analyses and strategic notes

See all publications

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Institute (ISA) and the Circle (CRSA)?

The Institut de Stratégies Abidjan is a consultancy offering paid training, advisory and research services. The Strategic Reflection Circle “Abidjan” is a volunteer-run think tank holding free sessions open to the public, funded through partnerships and voluntary contributions.

Are the Circle’s sessions really free?

Yes. Online registration only helps us welcome participants and measure the audience. Voluntary contributions are welcome and fund the following sessions.

How are the programmes delivered?

All programmes are delivered online: virtual classes, written materials, tutorials and a final assessment. Strategic Studies runs 90 hours over a semester, the Political Quarter 50 hours over three months, and the HR Semester six months with individual coaching.

Which payment methods are accepted?

Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money, Wave and bank card. An invoice is issued for employer funding.

Do you offer tailored training for my organisation?

Yes. Our capacity-building offer is designed from an assessment of your challenges, audiences and operational constraints. Request a quote.

Companies & institutions

Preparing a high-stakes decision?

Training your managers, a foresight study, an opinion survey or a country risk analysis: tell us what you need and we will come back with a reasoned proposal.

Request a quote