Abidjan, July 15, 2026 – The International Forum on Professions and Skills (FIMEC) stands as a pivotal mechanism for realizing the ambitious goals of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. This initiative effectively aligns the evolving demands of the national economy with the competencies fostered by our training sector, as articulated by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan.
The Prime Minister presided over the opening ceremony of FIMEC’s second edition, which centered on the theme: “Skills, employment, and economic transformation in Africa: the strategic role of vocational training.”
“The National Development Plan 2026-2030 is designed to accelerate industrialization, bolster the competitiveness of our economy, champion national enterprises, attract greater private investments, and generate over 3 million jobs by 2030. From this perspective, cultivating essential skills transcends mere training policy; it has become a fundamental economic competitiveness strategy. Every investment channeled into skill enhancement represents an investment in the productivity of our businesses, the allure of our economy, and the sovereignty of our development initiatives,” emphasized Robert Beugré Mambé.
He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to making the necessary investments to position vocational training as a genuine catalyst for competitiveness, social inclusion, and sustainable wealth creation. “Our aspiration is to cultivate an ecosystem where vocational training fully supports national development priorities, strengthens business competitiveness, encourages innovation, and contributes significantly to the industrialization of our economy,” he stated.
According to the Prime Minister, FIMEC provides an invaluable platform for constructive dialogue among public authorities, the private sector, training institutions, and development partners. This collaborative environment aims to forge concerted solutions to the pressing challenges of employment, qualification, and economic transformation.
“Our collective responsibility is to establish conditions that empower every young person to acquire the requisite skills for success, entrepreneurship, innovation, and full participation in their nation’s progress. This profound ambition underpins the government’s actions, inspires the reforms we are implementing, and unites us today around FIMEC,” he added.
He underscored that the staging of this second FIMEC event demonstrates Côte d’Ivoire’s steadfast resolve to make human capital development a cornerstone of its economic and social transformation strategy. “The world is evolving rapidly. Economies are undergoing profound shifts. Professions are constantly reinventing themselves. In the face of these changes, we have no alternative but to anticipate, innovate, and invest in our most precious asset: the women and men who will build the Africa of tomorrow. Together, let us ensure that skills become the primary engine of our competitiveness, our economic sovereignty, and our shared prosperity,” he urged.
The two-day agenda for this edition featured a diverse program including exhibitions and high-level panel discussions.
