Côte d’Ivoire boosts youth employment with skills matching program

In a bold move to bridge the gap between education and employment, Côte d’Ivoire’s National Agency for Vocational Training (AGEFOP) has unveiled a groundbreaking skills-needs study under its Passeport-Compétences initiative. The report, presented in Abidjan on June 18, 2026, outlines critical workforce requirements to align youth training with real economic demands.

The pilot phase of this ambitious study mapped out labor market needs across the Sud-Comoé region, Yopougon, and the Savanes District, engaging over 800 businesses from both formal and informal sectors. With these findings, the program is poised for nationwide expansion.

Transforming workforce development through data-driven insights

Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (CESEC), emphasized the study’s transformative potential: “Matching skills to market needs isn’t just a dream—it’s a systematic approach built on hard data. This initiative puts human capital at the heart of our nation’s progress, offering a precise diagnosis of our professional vitality and a roadmap for future workforce policies.”

He further highlighted the Passeport-Compétences program as a solution to one of the era’s most pressing challenges: “This program doesn’t just train—it certifies experience. For CESEC, this marks a milestone in human capital development. The study’s findings will shape our employment-training strategies, and today’s launch signals the start of national deployment.”

Government commitment to reducing youth unemployment

Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, Adama Kamara, clarified the program’s broader goals: “Passeport-Compétences isn’t about fixing failure—it’s about amplifying success to ensure growth translates into skilled jobs.”

The initiative will:

• Identify nationwide skills gaps;
• Train and integrate beneficiaries into the economy;
• Certify informal sector workers through experience validation;
• Equip businesses with qualified talent.

Minister Kamara added, “Through field feedback, we’ll refine training curricula to match employer demands, redirect resources to high-need sectors, and strengthen partnerships between businesses, local governments, and state agencies.”

A paradigm shift in vocational training

Karitia Coulibaly De Medeiros, AGEFOP’s Director-General, praised President Alassane Ouattara’s vision of prioritizing human capital as a driver of economic and social transformation.

“Vocational training is no longer a secondary policy—it’s a strategic investment for national competitiveness, job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable prosperity.”

She described the Passeport-Compétences program as a revolutionary approach to connecting training, local economies, and employment: “Effective training requires knowing exactly what skills a region, business, or industry needs. That’s why we started from the ground up—listening to businesses, analyzing industry shifts, and identifying both current and future competencies.”

By uniting territories, companies, and training institutions, AGEFOP aims to “train purposefully, qualify sustainably, and integrate efficiently.”

De Medeiros concluded, “This program creates a shared language among businesses, local governments, training providers, and citizens—making skills a national strategic asset.”

The Passeport-Compétences program, launched in March 2025 in Grand-Bassam, seeks to empower every Ivoirian to turn potential into recognized skills, turning competence into a passport to employment, economic autonomy, and dignity.