Abidjan, July 15, 2026 – The International Forum on Trades and Skills (FIMEC) serves as a critical catalyst for realizing the ambitious objectives outlined in Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. This initiative effectively bridges the gap between the economy’s evolving demands and the expertise cultivated within our training sector, as emphasized 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, strengthen our economy’s competitive edge, foster the emergence of national industry leaders, attract greater private investment, and generate over 3 million employment opportunities by 2030. Within this framework, skills development transcends mere training policy; it has become a fundamental pillar of economic competitiveness. Every investment in talent is an investment in our businesses’ productivity, our economy’s appeal, and the sovereignty of our national progress,” stated Robert Beugré Mambé.
He affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to making the necessary investments to transform vocational training into a powerful engine for competitiveness, social inclusion, and sustainable wealth creation. “Our aspiration is to cultivate an ecosystem where vocational training fully supports national development priorities, bolsters corporate competitiveness, encourages innovation, and contributes significantly to the industrialization of our economy,” he added.
For the Prime Minister, FIMEC provides an invaluable platform for dialogue among public authorities, the private sector, training institutions, and development partners. This collaborative space aims to forge concerted strategies to address the pressing challenges of employment, qualification, and economic transformation.
“It is our responsibility to establish the conditions that empower every young person to acquire the essential skills needed to succeed, innovate, embark on entrepreneurial ventures, and actively contribute to their nation’s advancement. This profound ambition guides the government’s actions, inspires the reforms we are undertaking, and unites us today around the FIMEC initiative,” he elaborated.
He underscored that the staging of this second FIMEC event demonstrates Côte d’Ivoire’s consistent dedication to establishing human capital development as a cornerstone of its economic and social transformation strategy. “The world is evolving rapidly. Economies are transforming. Professions are being reinvented. Faced with these profound shifts, we have no alternative but to anticipate, innovate, and invest in our most precious asset: the men and women who will build the Africa of tomorrow. Together, let us make skills the primary driver of our competitiveness, our economic sovereignty, and our shared prosperity,” he urged.
This two-day edition featured a comprehensive program including exhibitions and high-level panel discussions.
CICG