• Mali to train 3,500 youths under 2026 program

• CFA 2.5 billion budget funds training, internships, SME support

• Youth employment challenged by 98% informal sector dominance

The Malian government said on Thursday that 3,500 young people will take part in a professional training and employment integration program in 2026. The announcement was made during the second session of the MLI/805 project steering committee in Bamako.

Oumou Sall Seck, Minister of National Entrepreneurship, Employment and Professional Training, outlined the government’s strategy to address employment and skills gaps. The move comes amid rising demand for qualified labour and sustained demographic growth.

Participants reviewed progress on the project launched in 2025 and set out the next operational steps. The meeting brought together representatives from relevant ministries, the European Union, LuxDev and the Regional Councils of Kayes, Koulikoro and Sikasso.

The minister said the project should serve as a tool for long-term workforce integration, based on measurable results and transparent governance. With a budget of 2.5 billion CFA francs  ($4.4 million), the 2026 program includes the development of 10 training curricula, the training of 300 instructors, the placement of 1,750 young people in internships and support for 20 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The program ultimately aims to reach 6,000 beneficiaries.

A strategic response to a complex challenge

The announcement comes as Mali’s labour market remains overwhelmingly informal, limiting access to stable and well-paid jobs for young people. According to the 2024 Labour Market Bulletin from the National Institute of Statistics of Mali (INSTAT), about 98% of economically active youth work in the informal sector, underscoring the dominance of this segment in the national economy.

Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank show that the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 24 stood at 3.98% in 2024, highlighting persistent barriers to labour market entry despite training efforts. The figure does not fully account for underemployment or young people classified as “NEET” (not in employment, education or training).

In this context, professional training initiatives are emerging as a key policy tool to improve employability. They aim to equip young people with technical and practical skills sought by employers and to narrow the gap between qualifications and labour market needs. By comparison, the 14th intake of the Agency for the Promotion of Youth Employment (APEJ) internship program received 15,021 applications for 2,500 slots in 2025, reflecting strong demand for such opportunities.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou