Ms. Dominique Ouattara is married to Doctor Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. Following her high school diploma in economics from the Academy of Strasbourg, she holds a university degree specializing in economics from the University of Paris X. She pursues her Graduate and postgraduate studies which culminated in a degree in Property Management. Before she becomes First Lady and a strong advocate for the wellbeing of her compatriots, she had a brilliant career as business executive.
In 1979, she founded the AICI International Real Estate Group, where she was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, which today employs several people in various cities in Africa and Europe.
In 1996, she acquired the Jacques Dessange brand in the United States, and then became Chairman and CEO of French Beauty Services, which included the brand's franchises, hairdressing schools and beauty salons in New York and Washington.
She is an active, supportive and committed woman.
During her brilliant professional career, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara has continuously carried out actions of solidarity and mutual aid for the most disadvantaged. In her effort to assist vulnerable groups she created in 1998 the Children of Africa Foundation which works in the fields of health, education and social affairs in Côte d'Ivoire and in 10 other African countries.
With her Foundation, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara initiated the construction of a hospital dedicated entirely to the mother and the child to reduce mortality rate in this segment of the population. The Mother-Child Hospital of Bingerville has been inaugurated in March 2018.
Since 2012 Mrs. Dominique Ouattara is the President of the CNS. This national committee works for the protection of children's rights, and takes action to fight against child trafficking and exploitation. To this end, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara initiated through her Foundation, the construction of three temporary reception centers for the protection of disadvantaged children and victims of trafficking and exploitation in the cities of Soubré, Bouaké and Ferkessédougou. That of Soubré has already opened its doors.
A firm believer in women’s potential, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara decides to launch the Support Fund for the Women of Côte D’Ivoire (FAFCI) in 2012 to finance women-led micro-projects throughout Côte d’Ivoire. Today, more than 200,000 women benefit from this fund of 12 billion FCFA, essential for their empowerment.
Thanks to her efforts to assist children, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara has been appointed by UNAIDS, Special Ambassador for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and for the promotion of pediatric treatment since 2014.
