• €9 million ADEFA project promotes dual training and company internships
• Initiative aims to reduce skills mismatch and boost youth employment

Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of National Education and Technical Education, N’Guessan Koffi, met a delegation from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on Thursday, March 5, to discuss the modernization of vocational training in the country.

The discussions focused in particular on the implementation of the Support for the Development of Dual Vocational Training (ADEFA) project. The minister said GIZ’s support is a key driver for strengthening youth vocational training and promoting sustainable employment.

GIZ’s role in strengthening skills

GIZ has operated in Côte d’Ivoire for more than 50 years, providing technical assistance through methodological support and the sharing of best practices. The agency works with public institutions to develop programmes tailored to business needs and to make vocational training a pathway to employment.

The ADEFA project, launched in November 2023, is funded with €9 million from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It combines classroom training with company internships to improve employability.

The programme targets growth sectors such as automotive mechanics, hospitality and catering, and port logistics, with the long-term objective of reaching several hundred thousand learners.

Other initiatives supported by German cooperation also contribute to developing the country’s skills ecosystem. In 2024, a programme carried out with the European Union trained about 450 young people in industrial mechanics and digital technology at the Yopougon vocational high school, in partnership with local companies.

A major challenge for youth employment

These initiatives come as the mismatch between training and labour market needs remains significant. Côte d’Ivoire’s economy continues to grow strongly, with expansion projected at 6.1% in 2024 and 6.3% in 2025 according to the International Monetary Fund. However, young people still face difficulties entering the labour market.

According to an African Development Bank analysis of skills development and youth employment, more than 40% of private-sector actors believe existing training does not adequately meet market needs, particularly in technical and industrial occupations.

The French Development Agency estimates the overall skills mismatch rate at 75.87%. The most common forms are overqualification (61.38%) and under-skilling (59.19%).

These figures highlight the need to align training more closely with labour market demand and illustrate the role of partners such as GIZ in supporting national policies aimed at developing skills that better match business needs.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou