In a compelling address to young people in Tengréla, Ivory Coast’s Minister for Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service, Mamadou Touré, called for a fundamental change in mentality to foster successful integration into the workforce and society.
Speaking at the youth center on August 8, 2025, Minister Touré, accompanied by Bruno Nabagné Koné, the Minister of Construction, Housing and Urban Planning, engaged with local youth on critical topics including vocational training, professional integration, and access to project financing.
Highlighting the importance of responsibility, Touré expressed concern over the low repayment rates of loans provided by the Savings and Credit Cooperative (COOPEC). “Some people think it’s state money, so there’s no point in paying it back. But if you don’t pay it back, others won’t be able to benefit from funding,” he warned, revealing that 25% of COOPEC loans in Tengréla—amounting to 27 million CFA francs—remain unpaid.
The minister urged young people to remain adaptable and consider career changes towards sectors with strong labor demand. “The future depends on the ability to adapt to economic realities and market needs,” Touré emphasized, urging the youth to seize emerging opportunities for growth.
He also commended many beneficiaries of Youth Employment Agencies’ support, praising their rigor and determination in successfully realising projects that contribute tangible value to the local economy.
This appeal underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to empowering young Ivorians through training, financial support, and strategic guidance, aiming to unlock the potential of the nation’s youth as drivers of sustainable development.
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