IGAD, Djibouti Launch Initiative to Boost Vocational Training

By Zamzam Osman - Reporter

Djibouti, 8 April, 2026 The Djibouti government and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) launched a national initiative to strengthen vocational training on Tuesday, aiming to align skills development with labour market needs, the Djibouti News Agency (ADI) reported.

The initiative was unveiled during a three-day workshop in Arta bringing together government officials, training institutions, private sector representatives and organizations working on refugee and social inclusion issues.

Speaking on behalf of IGAD’s Executive Secretary, Moussa Ali Meigague described vocational training as “strategic” in responding to economic changes across the region, saying skills development is key to supporting growth and integrating young people into the workforce.

The programme is part of the Djibouti Declaration on Quality Education, which promotes stronger training systems, increased inclusion of women and vulnerable groups, including refugees, and enhanced regional cooperation.

Participants are expected to focus on improving coordination among stakeholders, aligning training programmes with labour market demand and strengthening public-private partnerships, with the aim of developing a shared roadmap for inclusive skills development.

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The discussions are expected to produce operational recommendations and a joint action plan to improve training systems in Djibouti and across the IGAD region.

Samatar Natalis, head of the SIMPI programme at GIZ Djibouti, said stronger alignment between training and business needs is necessary to address skills gaps and translate economic potential into jobs.

The head of Djibouti's Directorate of Vocational Training, Mohamed Abdi Guedi, highlighted youth unemployment and mismatches between training programmes and labour market demands as key challenges.

Guedi also pointed to ongoing reforms, including the SKILLS project, which aims to train 4,000 young people, half of them women, in priority sectors, with 10 per cent of beneficiaries reserved for refugees and people with disabilities.

Participants are expected to conclude the workshop with a shared vision, priority actions and a strengthened framework for cooperation among stakeholders, organisers said.