The Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, Mamadou Touré, announced the innovations introduced in the third edition of the National Employment and Recruitment Fair (FNER), which officially opened on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan.

Among the new features is a dedicated space called “I Don’t Know What I Want to Do”, where professionals will welcome young people, engage with them, identify their talents, and guide them toward suitable opportunities and support services.

Another major innovation highlighted by Mamadou Touré is the strengthened collaboration between his ministry and other key ministries, including Higher Education, National Education, Technical Education, and Vocational Training, aimed at improving youth orientation services.

“We have placed a strong emphasis on youth guidance. The orientation structures of these ministries will be deployed throughout the Fair,” the minister stated.

This year, the FNER will also expand across the country starting June 1, with 25 regions set to host the event in order to bring employment and training opportunities closer to young people in both regional capitals and sub-prefectures.

Regarding the 86,178 opportunities offered during FNER 2026, the minister explained that they include 36,178 professional opportunities and 50,000 internship placements or holiday jobs in companies.

Breaking down the 36,178 professional opportunities, he specified that they consist of:

• 6,767 direct jobs,

• 2,661 pre-employment internships,

• 11,800 job-oriented training opportunities,

• 8,200 High Labor-Intensity Works (THIMO) opportunities,

• and 6,750 project financing opportunities.

On the occasion, Mamadou Touré also announced that the government had mobilized 4 billion CFA francs this week to finance projects submitted by young entrepreneurs attending the FNER, which runs until May 21.

The minister further revealed increases in internship allowances effective since January 1. Pre-employment internship allowances have risen from 45,000 CFA francs to 75,000 CFA francs for interns in public institutions, and from 65,000 CFA francs to 75,000 CFA francs in the private sector.

For diploma-validation internships, monthly allowances increased from 15,000 CFA francs to 25,000 CFA francs, while THIMO allowances rose from 55,000 CFA francs to 75,000 CFA francs.

Reviewing the outcomes of the previous edition, Mamadou Touré stated that FNER 2025 generated 59,282 opportunities, including:

• 3,426 salaried jobs,

• 6,074 financed projects benefiting 7,304 young people,

• 14,675 THIMO beneficiaries,

• 13,837 internship placements,

• and 20,040 youths who benefited from job-oriented training programs.

The opening day of the Fair was also marked by a high-level panel discussion on opportunities for young people, featuring Mamadou Touré, Adama Diawara, Jean-Louis Moulot, and Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, followed by an official visit to the exhibition stands.