• Djibouti launched a program to train 4,000 young people in market-relevant skills.

• Youth unemployment reached 76.32% in 2024, among the highest globally.

• The initiative aligns with a $15 million World Bank program to expand technical education.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Djiboutian government launched a national initiative on April 7 in Arta to train 4,000 young people and strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The program convened stakeholders for a three-day workshop, including training institutions, government authorities, private sector actors, and organizations working on social inclusion and refugee issues.

Representing the IGAD Executive Secretary, Ambassador Moussa Ali Meigague described vocational training as a “strategic” lever to address regional economic transformations. He stated that skills development remains “a key factor to support growth and ensure sustainable employment for young people.”

Structural Constraints: Persistent Skills Mismatch

Officials identified two structural barriers that continue to constrain Djibouti’s labor market.

Mohamed Abdi Guedi, Director General of Vocational Training at the Ministry of National Education, highlighted high youth unemployment and the persistent mismatch between training supply and employer needs. These challenges have reinforced each other over time. Therefore, the SKILLS project aims to train participants in high-potential sectors aligned with market demand.

Authorities allocated 50% of training slots to women and 10% to refugees and persons with disabilities. This allocation reflects Djibouti’s social context, as the country hosts more than 135,830 displaced persons who have benefited from basic service programs, according to a World Bank report published in December 2024.

Samatar Natalis, head of IGAD’s SIMPI program, called for stronger alignment between training systems and private sector needs. He highlighted “skills gaps” that limit the country’s ability to convert economic potential into actual jobs.

Economic Context: Severe Labor Market Pressures

Djibouti launched the initiative amid significant macroeconomic pressure. The World Bank reported that youth unemployment reached 76.32% among people aged 15 to 24 in 2024, nearly five times the global average of 15.7%.

In the same year, only 23.7% of the working-age population held employment. The Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC) identified this ratio as the lowest among member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The initiative builds on broader reforms supported by international partners. The World Bank approved $15 million in financing in 2022 to expand vocational skills development in Djibouti. The program aims to increase enrollment in technical and vocational tracks from 4,700 to around 8,000 students, including 40% women.

The IGAD-SKILLS initiative aligns with this effort. Together, these programs aim to redesign Djibouti’s vocational training system based on labor market demand rather than existing training supply.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou