Abidjan’s fimec propels Côte d’Ivoire’s national development plan

Abidjan, July 15, 2026 – The International Forum on Trades and Skills (FIMEC) stands as a crucial catalyst for realizing the ambitious goals of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. Speaking from the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire, Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé emphasized FIMEC’s role in sustainably bridging the gap between the economy’s needs and the competencies fostered by the nation’s training sector.

Prime Minister Mambé presided over the opening ceremony of FIMEC’s second edition, convened under the pivotal theme: “Skills, employment, and economic transformation in Africa: the strategic role of vocational training.”

“The National Development Plan 2026-2030 aims to accelerate industrialization, bolster the competitiveness of our economy, promote national champions, increase private investments, and create over 3 million jobs by 2030,” Prime Minister Mambé articulated. “From this perspective, skills development is not merely a training policy; it has become a fundamental policy for economic competitiveness. Every investment in skills is an investment in our businesses’ productivity, the attractiveness of our economy, and the sovereignty of our development.” This vision underscores a key aspect of governance Africa, focusing on strategic human capital investment.

He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to continuing essential investments that will transform vocational training into a genuine lever for competitiveness, social inclusion, and sustainable wealth creation. “Our ambition,” he elaborated, “is to foster an ecosystem where vocational training fully aligns with national development priorities, strengthens business competitiveness, champions innovation, and significantly contributes to the industrialization of our economy.” This highlights the government’s dedication to improving society Africa through targeted educational reforms.

For the Prime Minister, FIMEC provides an indispensable platform for dialogue, uniting public authorities, the private sector, training institutions, and development partners. This collaborative space is designed to forge concerted solutions to the pressing challenges of employment, qualification, and economic transformation.

“Our responsibility,” he further stated, “is to establish the conditions for every young person to acquire the essential skills needed to succeed, innovate, pursue entrepreneurship, and fully engage in their nation’s development. This profound ambition steers the government’s actions, inspires the reforms we are implementing, and unites us today around FIMEC.”

He underscored that the hosting of this second FIMEC edition vividly demonstrates Côte d’Ivoire’s consistent resolve to make human capital development a cornerstone of its economic and social transformation strategy. “The world is rapidly evolving. Economies are transforming. Professions are reinventing themselves,” he observed. “Confronted with these shifts, our only option is to anticipate, innovate, and invest in our most valuable asset: the women and men who will build the Africa of tomorrow. Together, let us make skills the primary engine of our competitiveness, our economic sovereignty, and our shared prosperity.” This commitment reflects the forward-thinking nature of African politics in the region.

This two-day edition of FIMEC features a comprehensive agenda, including dynamic exhibitions and high-level panel discussions.

CICG