Abidjan, July 15, 2026 – The International Forum on Trades and Skills (FIMEC) stands as a pivotal instrument for realizing the ambitious goals of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030. This critical event serves to bridge the gap between economic demands and 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 convened under the compelling theme: “Skills, employment, and economic transformation in Africa: the strategic role of vocational training.”

“Our National Development Plan 2026-2030 is strategically designed to accelerate industrialization, bolster the competitiveness of our economy, cultivate national industry leaders, attract increased private investment, and generate over 3 million jobs by the year 2030,” emphasized Robert Beugré Mambé. He further elaborated, “Within this framework, skills development transcends mere training policy; it has evolved into a fundamental policy for economic competitiveness. Every investment in human capital represents a direct investment in the productivity of our enterprises, the attractiveness of our economy, and the sovereignty of our national progress.”

The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to making essential investments in vocational training. The aim is to establish it as a genuine catalyst for competitiveness, social inclusion, and the sustainable creation of wealth. “Our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where vocational training fully supports national development priorities, enhances corporate competitiveness, stimulates innovation, and significantly contributes to the industrialization of our economy,” he stated.

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 is crucial for forging concerted solutions to the pressing challenges of employment, qualification, and economic transformation.

“It is our collective responsibility to cultivate conditions that empower every young person to acquire the necessary skills to succeed, innovate, engage in entrepreneurship, and actively participate in their nation’s development,” he added. “This profound ambition drives the government’s actions, inspires the reforms we are undertaking, and brings us together today around FIMEC.”

He underscored that the staging of this second FIMEC powerfully illustrates Côte d’Ivoire’s consistent dedication to prioritizing human capital development as a cornerstone of its economic and social transformation strategy. “The global landscape is undergoing rapid evolution. Economies are transforming, and professions are continually reinventing themselves. Confronted with these profound shifts, we have no alternative but to anticipate, innovate, and invest in our most invaluable asset: the women and men who will build the Africa of tomorrow. Together, let us position skills as the primary engine of our competitiveness, our economic sovereignty, and our shared prosperity,” he concluded.

The two-day agenda for this edition includes a rich program of exhibitions and high-level panel discussions.