(Ecofin Agency) - The Ivorian government has in recent years launched various initiatives to provide training and improve job opportunities for young people.

On January 20, 2025, Ivorian Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé officially launched the 2024-2025 National Program for Internships, Apprenticeships, and Career Transition (PNSAR). The initiative aims to boost the employability of 142,000 young people, aged 16 to 40, by providing opportunities for internships, hands-on training, and career retraining.

PNSAR is focused on four key areas: qualification internships, school internships, practical training, and programs for career redirection and skill development. During the launch, the Youth Employment Agency signed partnership agreements with four companies, aimed at creating job opportunities for around 17,750 young people.

Côte d'Ivoire is grappling with serious employment challenges. A large portion of the workforce is in informal jobs, many of which do not provide decent living wages. In addition to the high rates of youth unemployment and underemployment, there is a shortage of funding for youth integration programs and a mismatch between the education system and the labor market's needs.

In response, the government has launched several initiatives to improve training and increase employment opportunities for young people. One such initiative, the Youth Program (PJ-GOUV 2023-2025), seeks to create 1.5 million job opportunities.

The government has pledged an investment of over CFA360 billion ($572 million) to help more than 600,000 young people join the workforce. The total cost of the program is estimated at CFA1,118.11 billion.