Morocco, Ivory Coast Deepen Cooperation in Vocational Training

Tetouan – Ivory Coast has reaffirmed its ambition to deepen cooperation with Morocco in vocational training, as part of a broader effort to modernize its skills development framework and align it more closely with labor market needs.

Speaking during an official visit to the City of Crafts and Skills of Casablanca, Ivory Coast’s Minister Delegate for Technical Education, Jean-Louis Moulot, commended Morocco’s progress in vocational education, highlighting the quality and relevance of its training programs to market demands.

Moulot described Morocco as a leading model in the sector, particularly through its network of training hubs designed to combine theoretical instruction with practical skills development. 

According to the minister, this approach offers valuable lessons for Ivory Coast as it seeks to reform its own system in line with economic priorities.

A structured and longstanding partnership

The visit also highlighted the depth of an established bilateral partnership that has evolved over more than two decades. 

Loubna Tricha, Director General of the Office of Vocational Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT) in Morocco noted that cooperation between the two countries has already produced concrete results.

She stated that nearly 1,500 Ivorian students have received training in Morocco, alongside the capacity-building of around 80 Ivorian trainers and technical education officials. 

These efforts reflect a structured framework aimed at transferring expertise and strengthening institutional capabilities.

This cooperation dates back to a protocol agreement signed in April 2001 and has since been reinforced through successive partnership agreements, notably in 2013 and 2015, with continued commitments extending to 2025. 

The partnership has also been supported by high-level engagements, including official visits by King Mohammed VI to Ivory Coast.

Expanding cooperation through strategic projects

Several flagship projects illustrate the practical dimension of this collaboration. 

Among them is the establishment of The Mohammed VI Multisector Vocational Training Center in Yopougon inaugurated in 2017 in Abidjan, which serves as a key institution for technical training across multiple sectors.

Additional initiatives have targeted industries such as hospitality, tourism, catering, and construction, areas considered essential for job creation and economic growth in Ivory Coast.

During their visit, the Ivorian delegation toured the various training platforms within the Nouaceur facility, gaining insight into its immersive, practice-oriented teaching model designed to strengthen professional competencies.

The visit follows earlier discussions held in Rabat between the Ivorian minister and Younes Sekkouri, Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. 

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the development of human capital and workforce readiness.

The partnership is expected to expand further, with a focus on innovation, knowledge transfer, and the development of training systems capable of responding to evolving economic demands.