Last week, a landmark Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministère de la Promotion de la Jeunesse, de l’Insertion Professionelle et du Service Civique (Ministry for the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Service) and the NL Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This MoU reflects a shared ambition: to make a lasting investment in the skills and employability of young Ivorians.
Côte d’Ivoire is a key strategic partner for the Netherlands in West Africa. Since 2019, the Netherlands has actively implemented various programmes and projects targeting Ivorian youth, including Orange Corners. Building on this, the official partnership aims to further empower young Ivorians through entrepreneurial programmes in agribusiness, circular economy and horticulture.
A special agreement between the Agence Emploi Jeunes (Agency for Youth Employment) and Orange Corners Côte d’Ivoire implementing partner Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners (ESP) will also support 20 Ivorian startups and SME with financial support and technical assistance — co-financed by the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF). PUM, already a partner in the Orange Corners Côte d’Ivoire programme, will offer specialised Dutch technical expertise.
For Mamadou Touré, Minister for Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, the signing of the agreement represents a major step forward. “It’s not just a protocol. It’s an open door to concrete opportunities for our young people”. said the minister. He reaffirmed the government’s willingness to look everywhere for ways to support the development of young Ivorians.
NL Deputy DG of International Cooperation Steven Collet reiterated the commitment of the Netherlands to support Côte d’Ivoire. Particularly in the development of its entrepreneurial fabric for young people. This, he added, by focusing on concrete and sustainable solutions.
