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

The Agence nationale de la formation professionnelle (AGEFOP), Côte d’Ivoire’s state-run vocational training agency, unveiled a groundbreaking skills-needs study on June 18, 2026, in Abidjan. The report, developed under the Passeport-Compétences national program, maps out how to align young workers’ skills with real-world market demands.

The pilot phase, which analyzed labor market requirements in depth, covered three key regions: Sud-Comoé, Yopougon, and District des Savanes. Over 800 formal and informal sector structures participated, providing critical data to refine skills development strategies.

A nationwide rollout of the study’s findings is set to begin shortly, aiming to eliminate the persistent mismatch between education and employment.

Policy makers hail initiative as game-changer for workforce development

Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, Chairman of the Conseil économique, social, environnemental et culturel (CESEC), opened the event by calling the study a turning point in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic planning. He emphasized that the data-driven approach takes the guesswork out of workforce planning and ensures that training programs directly support economic growth.

‘This isn’t just another report—it’s a roadmap. The Passeport-Compétences program proves that skill alignment is not a distant ideal but a measurable reality. It places human capital at the heart of our national development and gives us the tools to build fairer, smarter policies,’ said Dr. Aka Aouélé. He also noted that President Alassane Ouattara has consistently prioritized youth employment and skill certification in national policy agendas.

CESEC’s endorsement extends beyond analysis. The agency pledges to use the study’s findings to reshape vocational education curricula, validate informal workers’ skills, and strengthen ties between businesses, local governments, and training institutions.

Minister outlines how Passeport-Compétences will reshape labor market

Maître Adama Kamara, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, framed the initiative as a catalyst—not a repair—for the labor market. ‘We’re not fixing a broken system; we’re scaling up what works. This program ensures that economic growth translates into skilled jobs,’ he stated.

The Passeport-Compétences program has four core objectives: conducting nationwide skill-needs assessments, training and placing qualified workers in the economy, certifying informal sector workers through experience validation, and equipping businesses with a skilled workforce. The Minister stressed that curriculum adjustments, targeted training investments, and strengthened public-private partnerships will be central to the rollout.

AGEFOP redefines vocational training as a national investment

Karitia Coulibaly De Medeiros, AGEFOP’s Director General, highlighted a major shift in perception: vocational training is no longer seen as a social expense but as a strategic investment in national competitiveness, job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable prosperity.

‘We no longer ask,