Abidjan witnessed a landmark presentation this week as the Agence nationale de la formation professionnelle (AGEFOP) unveiled a groundbreaking skills needs assessment report. The study, conducted under the Passeport-Compétences national program, aims to align youth competencies with actual market demands—a critical step toward reducing the persistent skills mismatch in Côte d’Ivoire’s workforce.

The pilot phase of this comprehensive study covered three key regions: Sud-Comoé, Yopougon, and the District des Savanes. Over 800 formal and informal enterprises participated, providing real-time data on in-demand skills across diverse economic sectors. With this foundation, the initiative is set for nationwide expansion.

Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, Chair of the Conseil économique, social, environnemental et culturel (CESEC), emphasized the study’s transformative potential: “Aligning education with employment isn’t a distant dream—it’s an achievable reality built on concrete data. This program places human capital at the heart of Côte d’Ivoire’s development. The report offers an unprecedented diagnostic of our professional ecosystem and will guide future vocational training policies.”

Highlighting the program’s strategic vision, Dr. Aouélé noted that President Alassane Ouattara has consistently prioritized youth employability in national agendas. “The Passeport-Compétences program doesn’t just train—it certifies experience. For CESEC, this marks a pivotal advancement in human capital valorization. The findings will reshape our approach to skills development and employment.”

Maître Adama Kamara, Minister of Employment, Social Protection, and Vocational Training, framed the initiative as a proactive measure rather than a corrective one: “This program amplifies existing momentum to ensure growth translates into meaningful, skilled employment. Our goal is threefold: map national skills needs, upskill workers—especially in informal sectors—certify competencies, and equip businesses with qualified talent.”

He outlined key actions: revising curricula based on field feedback, redirecting training resources to high-need zones, validating informal sector experience, and fostering collaborations between businesses, local authorities, and state services. “The Passeport-Compétences is a pact of trust between the government and our youth. It guarantees that your skills will become your greatest asset for success.”

Kartia Coulibaly De Medeiros, AGEFOP’s Director-General, underscored the program’s paradigm shift: “Vocational training is no longer a peripheral policy or social expenditure—it’s a strategic investment driving national competitiveness, job creation, and sustainable prosperity.” She described the program as a “new blueprint” reconnecting training, local economies, and labor markets.

The study’s methodology reflects this approach: ground-level assessments of economic realities, employer consultations, and analysis of evolving job trends. “Effective training begins with knowing precisely what skills a territory, business, or industry requires today—and will need tomorrow,” she stated. By bridging these gaps, AGEFOP aims to ensure that competencies translate into lasting employment, economic autonomy, and dignity for every Ivorian.

The Passeport-Compétences program, launched in March 2025 in Grand-Bassam, is a cornerstone of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Human Capital Development Strategy. Its mission is clear: transform potential into recognized skills and turn those skills into a passport to opportunity.