I. Executive Summary**
I. Executive Summary**
- Brief overview of the report's objectives and key findings.
- Summary of the policy recommendations for youth development and entrepreneurship.
**II. Introduction**
- Definition of the context: The importance of youth development and entrepreneurship in national economic growth.
- Brief on the current state of youth unemployment and the need for targeted policies.
**III. Demographic Landscape**
- Statistical overview of Ivory Coast's youth demographic.
- Analysis of the challenges faced by youth in terms of employment and economic opportunities.
- The potential demographic dividend and its significance for economic development.
**IV. Importance of Youth Development and Entrepreneurship**
- Discussion on how investing in youth leads to a skilled and dynamic workforce.
- Economic benefits of fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and innovation.
- Case studies illustrating the positive impact of youth-led businesses on national economies.
**V. Existing Policies and Gaps**
- Overview of current policies related to youth development and entrepreneurship.
- Identification of gaps or areas where existing policies fall short.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of current programs in addressing youth needs.
**VI. Policy Recommendations**
- **Education and Skills Development:**
- Proposals for enhancing the education system to align with industry needs.
- Support for vocational training and skill development programs.
- **Entrepreneurship Support:**
- Introduction of incentives for startups, including tax breaks and funding opportunities.
- Creation of mentorship programs connecting experienced entrepreneurs with aspiring youth.
- **Digital Literacy Programs:**
- Integration of digital literacy into the education curriculum.
- Programs to provide access to technology and digital training for youth.
- **Access to Finance:**
- Policies to ease access to financing for young entrepreneurs.
- Development of youth-friendly financial products.
- **Regulatory Environment:**
- Simplification of regulatory processes for starting and running businesses.
- Implementation of a regulatory sandbox for testing innovative business ideas.
**VII. Case Studies and Best Practices**
- Examination of successful youth development and entrepreneurship programs in other countries.
- Lessons learned from global examples and their applicability to Ivory Coast.
- Consideration of cultural and contextual factors in policy adaptation.
**VIII. Implementation Strategies**
- Detailed strategies for the phased implementation of the proposed policies.
- Involvement of key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, and civil society.
- Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of implemented policies.
**IX. Challenges and Mitigation**
- Identification of potential challenges in implementing the proposed policies.
- Strategies for mitigating challenges, including public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
**X. Conclusion**
- Recap of the importance of youth development and entrepreneurship for national development.
- A call to action for policymakers and stakeholders to prioritize and implement the proposed policies.
**XI. Appendices**
- Additional data, graphs, and supporting documents.
- Details on specific policy frameworks and legal changes.
**XII. References**
- Citations of sources and references used in the report.
Ivory Coast, also known as Cte d'Ivoire, is a vibrant and culturally rich nation on the west coast of Africa. It is characterized by resilience and the potential for economic development. With a diverse population of various ethnicities, languages, and traditions, the country has experienced steady population growth. Rapid urbanization has transformed cities like Abidjan into hubs of commerce, culture, and innovation. The youthful population, constituting a significant proportion (approximately 58.4% as of the CIA World Factbook in 2021, was under the age of 25), has the potential to drive economic growth and development. Ivory Coast's economic trajectory has been marked by resilience and diversification, with investments in infrastructure.
After the economic upturn recorded from 2012 to 2015, Ivory Coast strengthened the solidity of its macroeconomic framework from 2016 to 2020. The country also made strides in the structural transformation of its economy, substantially reducing the poverty rate during this period. However, a detailed analysis of the economy's structure and growth rate reveals vulnerabilities in achieving the ambitious goals of structural transformation and poverty reduction.
Ivory Coast has sustained economic growth, maintaining its position as a locomotive within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and ranking among the world's top ten fastest-growing economies since 2016, with an average annual GDP growth of 6.9% from 2016 to 2019. Despite challenges such as the depreciation of terms of trade since 2016 and social tensions in 2017, the Ivorian economy has remained resilient, enhancing its attractiveness to foreign capital. This is evident in successful bond issuances, such as the 2018 Eurobond with a thirty-year maturity, one of the longest in sub-Saharan Africa, and the 2020 Eurobond with a record-low interest rate of 5%.
Recent macroeconomic developments were influenced by two main events: a change in the base year for national accounts to 2015, following the implementation of the 2008 System of National Accounts (SCN 2008), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Accelerators of structural transformation in Ivory Coast include a focus on technological innovation, human capital development, improvement of Total Factor Productivity (TFP), an attractive environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and economic financing. However, the country spends only 0.1% of its GDP on Research and Development, falling short of the commitment (1% of GDP) outlined in the Agenda 2063.
Concerning human capital development, enhancing the quality of education is crucial for boosting workforce productivity. Despite allocating 4.4% of its GDP to education in 2018, Ivory Coast faces disparities compared to benchmark countries like South Korea and Malaysia. The country's higher education enrollment rate is lower, with an average schooling period of 5.2 years in 2018.
In line with its vision for 2030, Ivory Coast places a strong emphasis on the well-being and development of its citizens. The government has introduced the "Programme Social du Gouvernement 2" (PSGouv2), a comprehensive initiative aimed at consolidating previous achievements and accelerating poverty reduction and inequality alleviation. The PSGouv2, adopted in December 2021 with a budget of 3,182.4 billion FCFA, focuses on effective social governance and project execution to positively impact the lives of the population.
In recognition of the importance of the youth demographic, Ivory Coast has declared 2023 as the "Year of Youth." This commitment is embodied in the ambitious "Programme Jeunesse du Gouvernement" (PJ Gouv) spanning 2023-2025. The PJ Gouv aims to address youth socio-professional integration and enhance their employability. The program includes initiatives such as accelerated training, professional insertion, entrepreneurship promotion, civic engagement, and social ethics enhancement.
The government's multifaceted approach includes creating opportunities for employment, training, and project financing for youth, with a total cost of 1,118 billion FCFA. In 2023 alone, the PJ-Gouv budget is 361 billion FCFA, including 99 billion FCFA for the construction and rehabilitation of youth infrastructure. The government is also expanding the construction of vocational high schools nationwide to contribute to the development of a high-quality human capital.
For entrepreneurship promotion, the Ivorian government has signed 24 agreements under the "Projet Emploi Jeunes et Dveloppement des Comptences (PEJEDEC 3)" with an approximate value of 31 billion FCFA for 68,000 young individuals in 2023. The government's commitment to youth development is evident in various programs and initiatives, including "Girl Power" and the National Internship and Apprenticeship Program.
In conclusion, Ivory Coast's proactive measures, such as the PSGouv2 and the PJ Gouv, reflect a commitment to inclusive development, prioritizing the well-being and potential of its population, particularly the youth. These initiatives align with the broader vision of building a cohesive and prosperous nation.
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