Côte d’Ivoire unveils skills matching study to boost youth employability

The National Agency for Vocational Training (AGEFOP), Côte d’Ivoire’s state engineering body for professional training, unveiled a groundbreaking study on June 18, 2026, in Abidjan. The report identifies real-world skills gaps and aligns youth competencies with labor market demands through the national Passeport-Compétences initiative.

Mapping Côte d’Ivoire’s workforce needs

The pilot phase of this study, conducted across South-Comoé, Yopougon and the Savanes District, engaged over 800 formal and informal sector structures. It provides critical insights into employer skill requirements, paving the way for nationwide implementation.

Addressing the skills mismatch

Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, Chair of the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (CESEC), emphasized the study’s role in eliminating guesswork in vocational training. ‘The skills-jobs alignment is not a distant dream but a systematic process rooted in concrete data. This initiative places human capital at the heart of Côte d’Ivoire’s growth,’ he stated, adding that President Alassane Ouattara has consistently prioritized youth employability in national agendas.

The Passeport-Compétences program, he noted, offers tangible solutions to one of the nation’s most pressing challenges by not just training but formally certifying workers’ experience—a milestone in human capital development.

Minister outlines national rollout strategy

Maître Adama Kamara, Minister of Employment, Social Protection and Vocational Training, framed the program as an accelerator of growth, not a corrective measure. ‘Our goal is to translate economic expansion into skilled employment,’ he said, detailing a four-pronged approach: mapping national skills needs, upskilling workers, certifying informal sector experience, and aligning training with employer demands.

The minister also pledged to revise curricula, redirect training resources to high-need areas, and strengthen ties between businesses, local governments and public services to ensure a qualified workforce.

AGEFOP redefines vocational training as economic investment

Karitia Coulibaly De Medeiros, AGEFOP’s Director-General, hailed the program as a paradigm shift. ‘Vocational training is no longer a secondary policy or social expense—it is a strategic investment driving national competitiveness, job creation and inclusive prosperity,’ she declared.

The study’s grassroots methodology reflects this vision: by analyzing economic realities, consulting businesses and anticipating future skill trends, the initiative ensures that training is both relevant and sustainable. ‘We’re creating a unified framework where businesses, local authorities, training institutions and workers share a common language—one where competence becomes a strategic asset for the nation,’ she added.

Long-term vision: Empowering every Ivorian

AGEFOP’s ultimate goal is to transform potential into recognized skills, positioning each individual as a competitive candidate for stable employment, economic independence and dignity. Launched in March 2025 in Grand-Bassam, the Passeport-Compétences program is now scaling nationally to build a workforce that drives Côte d’Ivoire’s future.