• Reforms focus on skills, access, and science education
• IsDB backs projects worth over $100 million
• Youth unemployment remains high despite job programs

Mauritania is working to align its education system with labor market needs, as part of a broader effort to improve youth employability.

The direction was reaffirmed during a meeting on April 14 in Nouakchott between Education Minister Houda Mint Babah and a delegation from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), led by Mohamed Alusta, head of social infrastructure at the bank’s regional office in Rabat.

Discussions focused on ongoing projects and future cooperation, reflecting a shared goal of making education policies more effective in addressing employment challenges.

Three main priorities are guiding the reforms. The first targets the modernization of learning systems. The second aims to expand access to education with a focus on equity. The third emphasizes the development of science and technology tracks. Together, these efforts are designed to better prepare students for the demands of the job market.

The Jeddah-based institution reaffirmed its support through several ongoing initiatives. It is financing a $12 million project to strengthen teaching in mathematics, science, and technology.

The bank is also supporting the development of higher education institutions in regional areas, with funding of about €46.5 million (around $55 million), aimed at improving access and the quality of training. In addition, a separate agreement signed in May 2025 provides nearly €36 million to expand vocational training through specialized centers and programs aligned with labor market needs.

Through these interventions, the IsDB combines financing, technical expertise, and policy support to improve youth employability and better align education with economic realities.

The challenge remains significant. Despite rising education levels, a 2024 Afrobarometer survey found that nearly half of young Mauritanians—47%—are unemployed but actively seeking work, slightly above the national average of 44%. The issue is compounded by demographics, with more than 60% of the population under the age of 25.

There are some signs of progress. The government reports more than 23,400 jobs created, including at least 11,000 through the World Bank’s youth employability project. Still, these gains will need to scale up to meet growing social demand.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou