Henri-Michel ELLA Yao joins the ATIBT team – PASSAD-Forêt project in Ivory Coast

Since December 2025, ATIBT has been delighted to welcome Henri-Michel ELLA Yao to its team as technical assistant for the PASSAD-Forêt project in Côte d'Ivoire. He will be strengthening the project team and will be working alongside Célestin Ahoutou, who was recently recruited by ATIBT as part of this initiative.

A water and forestry engineer with a Master II degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing, Henri-Michel ELLA Yao has over ten years of experience in forest and environmental management, ecological monitoring, and supporting the sustainability of agricultural and forestry sectors. Before joining ATIBT, he held the position of GIS and Ecological Monitoring Officer at the Ivorian Office of Parks and Reserves (OIPR), where he developed recognized expertise in spatial data analysis, project monitoring, and technical document development.

His career also includes consulting assignments for international projects funded by the FAO, the European Union, and the World Bank, as well as experience in certification audits and support for institutional and private actors in the field. This dual technical and operational expertise will be a significant asset for the implementation of the PASSAD-Forêt project.

The PASSAD-Forêt project, implemented in Côte d'Ivoire with the support of institutional and technical partners, aims to strengthen sustainable forest management, improve governance of the forestry sector, and support national stakeholders in structuring legal, sustainable, and competitive timber sectors. It is part of a broader effort to combat deforestation and promote forestry practices that respect ecosystems, while contributing to economic and social development.

Within the PASSAD-Forêt team, Henri-Michel ELLA Yao will support the project's technical activities, particularly in the areas of monitoring, data analysis, forest management, and capacity building, in close collaboration with Célestin Ahoutou and national partners.

ATIBT is delighted to welcome Henri-Michel ELLA Yao and is confident that his expertise will contribute greatly to the success of the PASSAD-Forêt project in Côte d'Ivoire.