Côte d’Ivoire’s FIMEC event spotlights skills as catalyst for national development

Abidjan, July 15, 2026 – The International Forum for Trades and Skills (FIMEC) serves as a crucial accelerator for achieving the ambitious goals outlined in Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. This was emphasized by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during the forum’s opening ceremony held at the Abidjan Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire. FIMEC effectively bridges the gap between the evolving demands of the economy and the essential competencies cultivated within the nation’s training sector.

Presiding over the second annual FIMEC, Prime Minister Mambé underscored the event’s theme: “Skills, employment, and economic transformation in Africa: the strategic role of vocational training.” This theme resonates deeply with the continent’s broader aspirations for growth and self-sufficiency.

“The National Development Plan 2026-2030 is designed to significantly boost industrialization, enhance the competitiveness of our national economy, foster the emergence of national champions, attract greater private investment, and ultimately generate over 3 million jobs by 2030,” stated Robert Beugré Mambé. He further stressed, “From this perspective, the advancement of skills transcends mere training policy; it has become a fundamental pillar of economic competitiveness. Every investment we make in developing competencies is a direct investment in the productivity of our enterprises, in the attractiveness of our economy, and in the sovereignty of our development initiatives.”

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to making sustained investments in vocational training. This strategic focus aims to position vocational training as a powerful engine for competitiveness, social inclusion, and the sustainable creation of wealth. “Our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where vocational training fully aligns with national development priorities, bolsters business competitiveness, stimulates innovation, and actively contributes to the industrialization of our economy,” he asserted.

For Prime Minister Mambé, FIMEC provides an indispensable platform for dialogue, uniting public authorities, the private sector, training institutions, and development partners. This collaborative environment is essential for crafting unified solutions to the pressing challenges of employment, qualification, and economic transformation across the nation.

“It is our collective responsibility to forge the conditions that empower every young person to acquire the necessary skills to succeed, innovate, launch new ventures, and participate fully in their country’s development. This profound ambition steers the government’s actions, inspires the reforms we are implementing, and brings us together today around FIMEC,” he added, highlighting the forum’s critical role in African politics and economic progress.

He further noted that the convening of this second FIMEC edition vividly demonstrates Côte d’Ivoire’s consistent resolve to place human capital development at the very core of its economic and social transformation strategy. “The world is in constant flux. Economies are undergoing profound shifts. Professions are continually reinventing themselves. In the face of these rapid changes, we have no alternative but to anticipate, innovate, and invest in our most invaluable asset: the women and men who will build the Africa of tomorrow. Together, let us ensure that skills become the primary driver of our competitiveness, our economic sovereignty, and our shared prosperity,” he urged the attendees, reflecting a strong message for pan-African journalism and Africa news outlets.

This two-day event features a comprehensive agenda, including engaging exhibitions and insightful high-level panels, offering valuable perspectives on the African economy news landscape.