Turning young Gabonese people from mere job seekers into actors in production and wealth creation. This is the ambition expressed by the Gabonese authorities through a new vocational training program, presented on October 2 to President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema by the Minister of Trade, SMEs and SMIs, Zenaba Gninga Chaning.
In its first phase, the program plans to train 400 young people in Libreville. It will then be gradually extended to the country’s nine provinces.
Vocational Training at the Heart of the Strategy
During an audience in Libreville, the Minister of Trade, SMEs and SMIs presented to the Head of State the various programs dedicated to training, professional integration and support for young Gabonese people.
At the heart of the initiative is a program dedicated to technical and practical trades, with the aim of developing skills directly suited to the needs of the national economy.
The initiative notably aims to facilitate access to employment, while also promoting the creation of income-generating activities and the development of entrepreneurship.
Beyond Training, Support
The program is not expected to be limited to providing skills. It also includes technical support for beneficiaries, access to financing and monitoring of projects developed by the young people trained.
For President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, this approach is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening national human capital and increasing the participation of Gabonese people in value creation and economic development.
Adapting Skills to Market Needs
The Head of State instructed the government to accelerate the implementation of the program, while ensuring that the training offered corresponds to the actual needs of the labor market and productive sectors.
The challenge notably concerns the development of SMEs and SMIs, strengthening local production and consolidating national value chains.
In the long term, the authorities aim to transform the role of young people in the Gabonese economy, moving them from job seekers to qualified professionals, entrepreneurs, producers and wealth creators.
This approach also aims to further develop locally available skills and, where possible, gradually reduce dependence on external expertise.