In this episode, we sit down with members of the MIT-ledinitiative supporting the Côte d’Ivoire International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) team. The conversation explores the role of mathematical Olympiads in developing elite problem-solving skills, the origins of the MIT–Côte d’Ivoire coaching programme, and the experiences of student instructors working directly with young talent in Abidjan. We also discuss broader themes, including access to opportunity, gender representation, and the importance of role models inSTEM. About the Project: The MIT–Côte d'Ivoire IMO Coaching Project was launched in 2022 through a partnership between MIT’s Africa Department and the Société Mathématique de Côte d’Ivoire (SMCI). It aims to rebuild a once-leading programme that declined following the country’s 2010–2011 crisis. Each year, MIT Olympiad alumni travel to Côte d’Ivoire to deliver intensive in-person training, complemented by ongoing remote coaching. The ambition is to position Côte d’Ivoire as a global contender in competitive mathematics, with long-term goals including a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad. Early results are promising, with the team placing 3rd out of 21 countries at the2025 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), earning three gold medals. Learn more about the IMO Côte d’Ivoire team: https://www.imo-official.org/country_team_r.aspx?code=CIV

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