• 70 students graduated from the LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School on August 9, 2025.

• The program trains descendants of Korean War veterans and other vulnerable youth in IT skills.

• Since 2014, 611 young Ethiopians have been trained, enhancing employability and entrepreneurship.

In Ethiopia, targeted digital training is helping youth access formal employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

On August 9, 2025, LG Electronics and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) celebrated the 9ᵉ graduation ceremony of 70 students at the LG-KOICA Hope Vocational Training School in Addis Ababa. Attendees included Jung Pil-won, Managing Director of LG Electronics for Central Asia, Jung Kang, South Korean Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Tsahle Beresha, Ethiopian Deputy Minister of Labor and Skills.

The program prioritizes descendants of Ethiopian veterans who served in the Korean War but also supports other vulnerable youth, including those from modest families or with disabilities. Graduate Mahlret Grumai, granddaughter of a veteran, praised the training for boosting her IT skills and career prospects.

Youth unemployment remains a major challenge, with 5.4% of 15–24 year-olds out of work in 2024, according to the International Labor Organization. Since 2014, the LG-KOICA school has trained 611 young Ethiopians, equipping them with modern digital skills and linking them to employment opportunities. The initiative demonstrates how private partnerships and targeted technical training can help Africa’s youth overcome skills gaps and drive local economic growth.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou