Ivory Coast launches skills passport to bridge youth employment gap
Ivory Coast launches skills passport to bridge youth employment gap
The National Agency for Vocational Training (AGEFOP) unveiled a groundbreaking skills-needs assessment report in Abidjan, outlining how Côte d’Ivoire is aligning youth competencies with real-world economic demands. The event marked a pivotal moment in the Passeport-Compétences program, a national initiative designed to transform the country’s workforce landscape.
The pilot phase of this study surveyed over 800 formal and informal enterprises across Sud-Comoé, Yopougon, and the Savanes District, identifying critical skills gaps for future workforce planning. Following the regional assessment, the program will expand nationwide, ensuring that training initiatives meet the evolving needs of both employers and job seekers.
From data to action: closing the skills mismatch in Côte d’Ivoire
Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, Chair of the Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (CESEC), emphasized the study’s role in eliminating the long-standing disconnect between education and employment. Speaking at the launch, he stated, “Skills alignment is not a distant dream but a systematic approach grounded in hard data. This initiative places human capital at the heart of Côte d’Ivoire’s growth, offering a precise diagnosis of our professional vitality and a roadmap for future public policies in vocational training.”
He further highlighted the Passeport-Compétences program as a solution to one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, noting that it goes beyond traditional training by certifying real-world experience. “This program isn’t just about teaching new skills—it’s about validating what workers already know. For CESEC, this represents a significant leap in human capital development, and the findings will shape our strategies for aligning education with employment. Today’s launch signals the nationwide rollout. To the youth of Côte d’Ivoire, this is a promise: your government is committed to ensuring your skills become your greatest asset.”
Minister outlines a vision for skilled, inclusive employment
Maître Adama Kamara, Ivory Coast’s Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, framed the program as an accelerator of economic growth rather than a corrective measure. “The Passeport-Compétences initiative isn’t about fixing a failure—it’s about amplifying success so that growth translates into quality jobs.”
He detailed the program’s four key pillars: identifying nationwide skills demands, upskilling and placing beneficiaries in the economy, validating informal workers’ experience, and equipping businesses with qualified talent. “Field feedback will guide curriculum adjustments to match employer needs, redirect training resources to high-demand areas, and strengthen partnerships between businesses, local governments, and state services.”
Vocational training as a strategic investment, not a social cost
Karita Coulibaly De Medeiros, AGEFOP’s Director-General, underscored the paradigm shift in how Côte d’Ivoire views vocational training. “Vocational education is no longer a secondary policy or a social expense. It is now recognized as a strategic investment driving national competitiveness, job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable prosperity.”
She explained that the Passeport-Compétences program redefines the relationship between training, local economies, and industry. “Effective training begins with understanding the exact skills a region, business, or sector requires—today and tomorrow. That’s why we started on the ground, engaging businesses, analyzing industry trends, and identifying emerging competencies.”
By bridging the gap between training institutions, businesses, and communities, AGEFOP aims to deliver useful, durable, and impactful skill development. “This program creates a shared language among employers, local authorities, training centers, communities, technical partners, and policymakers. It transforms competence into a strategic asset for the nation.”
De Medeiros concluded with a bold vision: “Our goal is to empower every Ivorian to turn potential into recognized competence—and that competence into a passport to employment, economic independence, and dignity.”
Building a workforce for today and tomorrow
Launched officially in March 2025 in Grand-Bassam, the Passeport-Compétences program is a cornerstone of Côte d’Ivoire’s national human capital development strategy. Its mission: to enhance professional capabilities and sustainably integrate populations into the labor market.
