• Mauritania signed a $30.5 million loan deal with the Islamic Development Bank to reform vocational training.
• The project targets youth employability by aligning skills training with labor market needs.
• Over 60% of Mauritania’s population is under 25, yet youth unemployment reached 24% in 2023.

Mauritania approved a $30.5 million loan deal with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to overhaul its vocational training system and tackle youth unemployment.

The Council of Ministers adopted the draft law authorizing the loan ratification during a meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The funds will support the Project to Improve Vocational Training and Youth Employment, part of Mauritania’s 2023–2030 National Vocational Training Strategy.

The government designed this initiative to narrow the gap between the country’s training system and the labor market’s demands. The project focuses on practical and technical skills to improve the employability of young Mauritanians, particularly those from marginalized and vulnerable regions.

Authorities expect the program to help young people integrate into the workforce quickly and sustainably. In doing so, they aim to ease pressure on the informal economy and reduce social fragility.

Mauritania faces a pressing demographic challenge. According to the World Bank, over 60% of its population is under 25. But youth unemployment stood at 24% in 2023, as reported by the African Development Bank. A persistent mismatch between training and business needs has stalled inclusive growth.

The IDB-backed project will target high-demand sectors such as mining, agriculture, and services. Officials believe that aligning training with these sectors can create real opportunities for young workers.

Mauritania's success will depend on how effectively the reform is implemented and monitored. Authorities must ensure tight coordination between public institutions, vocational centers, and private-sector stakeholders.

Countries like Rwanda and Morocco have shown that vocational reform, when well-executed, can significantly reduce youth unemployment. Mauritania now faces the challenge of turning political will into a skilled, inclusive, and resilient workforce.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou (intern)
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum