By Zakariye Hassann - Reporter
Djibouti, 11 September 2026 - The Government of Djibouti has conducted an initial assessment of a program designed to help young people access employment opportunities abroad, particularly in Canada.
The meeting of the committee overseeing the program was chaired by Yonis Ali Guedi, Minister of Labor in charge of Formalization and Social Protection, who on Thursday led discussions with the committee responsible for the professional mobility program for Djiboutian youth.
The initiative forms part of the Djiboutian government’s broader policy to promote youth employment. Its objective is to establish legal pathways through which young Djiboutians can access international employment opportunities while strengthening their professional skills and work experience.
The first cohort of Djiboutian youth prepared for employment in Canada consisted of heavy-truck drivers, who served as the initial test group for the program.
According to information presented during the meeting, most of the candidates successfully completed the various stages of the selection and preparation process. Many of them are now working in Canada.
The committee also separately reviewed the situation of young applicants who requested additional training or retraining, with the aim of providing them with appropriate support and preparing them for alternative employment opportunities.
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The meeting also reviewed preparations for the second phase of the program, with further details expected to be finalized in the coming months.
The Djiboutian government said it will prioritize strengthening the selection process, preparing candidates before their departure and monitoring their situation after they begin employment abroad.
The Minister of Labor emphasized the importance of consolidating existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities across different economic sectors. The objective is to create “legal and structured” pathways through which Djiboutian youth can access international labor markets.
The Ministry of Labor said it intends to make the program a complementary tool in its youth employment and labor-market integration policy, linking skills development at home with access to international employment opportunities.
The program will also enable the government to draw on the experience gained from the first cohort to further improve the selection, preparation and support provided to young people participating in future phases