Training and business needs in Côte d'Ivoire

In Côte d'Ivoire, aligning technical training with the needs of businesses remains a challenge for helping young people find jobs. The urban transport sector is seen as a new opportunity to bridge this gap by matching what is taught with what employers need.

New partnership in technical education

The Ministry of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Training (MENAET) signed a partnership agreement with Keolis Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday, October 22, in Abidjan. Keolis is a subsidiary of a French company that specializes in public transport.

Goals of the partnership

The agreement aims to improve the skills of young people, introduce them to jobs in the transport sector, and help them find internships and jobs. The ministry will work with its teaching staff to identify students who match the company's needs.

Keolis's role in the partnership

Keolis will provide technical expertise and support the training of educators. This collaboration is intended to better prepare trainees for the professional demands of the transport sector and help them find jobs.

Structure of the partnership

The partnership lasts for five years and includes a monitoring committee and regular reports. However, official statements do not mention how many young people will be involved or how many will be hired.

Abidjan metro project context

This initiative comes as Keolis prepares for the future Abidjan metro project, which will require skills in railway operations, engineering, and maintenance. In July 2025, Keolis had already partnered with a national polytechnic institute to develop relevant skills for transport jobs.

Broader skills development effort

The partnership with Keolis is part of a larger effort to align training with job opportunities in Côte d'Ivoire. In October 2026, the government announced funding for a program aimed at modernizing training centers and adapting curricula to meet the needs of key sectors.

Measuring the partnership's impact

The success of the agreement will depend on the number of young people trained, the internships offered, and the number of hires made. Both the government and Keolis see this as a way to improve youth employment and prepare for the demands of the transport sector.