Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Employment, Social Protection and Vocational Training, Adama Kamara, called on young people to seize the opportunities created by the digital economy, artificial intelligence, emerging professions and entrepreneurship during the opening of the second International Forum on Jobs and Skills (FIMEC) in Abidjan.
Organized by the Ministry through the National Vocational Training Agency (AGEFOP), this year's forum is held under the theme: "Skills, Employment and Economic Transformation in Africa: The Strategic Role of Vocational Training." The event was officially opened by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire.
Addressing Ivorian youth, Kamara said the future belongs to intelligence, creativity and skills.
"The world of tomorrow will be shaped by intelligence, creativity and skills. Prepare yourselves to seize the opportunities offered by digital technologies, artificial intelligence, emerging professions and entrepreneurship. Do not fear change—make it your greatest opportunity. The government will stand by your side, but your success will ultimately depend on your commitment, perseverance and willingness to learn throughout your lives," he said.
The minister also urged businesses, professional organizations, development partners and training institutions to strengthen their commitment to preparing Africa's workforce for the future.
He encouraged companies to continue working with public authorities to identify tomorrow's skills and expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities for young people. Professional organizations were invited to play a greater role in defining qualifications and professional standards, while technical and financial partners were asked to maintain their investments in human capital development. Training institutions, meanwhile, were encouraged to innovate continuously and adapt their teaching methods to the rapidly changing labor market.
Kamara stressed that skills have become the new infrastructure for development.
"Physical infrastructure connects territories. Skills connect people to opportunities. Infrastructure attracts investment. Skills make that investment productive. Infrastructure supports growth. Skills make growth sustainable. Our collective responsibility is to prepare young people not for yesterday's jobs, but for those that will shape the economy of the future," he said.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Côte d'Ivoire, Hélène N'Garnim-Ganga, reaffirmed the UN's commitment to youth development, stating that investing in young people's skills is among the safest ways to build a prosperous economy, an inclusive society and a sustainable future.
For her part, AGEFOP Director General Karitia Coulibaly De Meideros called for a sustainable increase in the agency's financial resources so that more young people across the country can benefit from vocational training programs whose effectiveness has already been demonstrated.
She also proposed introducing a "Skills Development" marker in all major national investment projects, similar to the existing gender marker, to ensure that every strategic investment systematically incorporates a skills development component.
The 2026 FIMEC opened on July 15, coinciding with World Youth Skills Day, established by the United Nations to highlight the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.