Côte d'Ivoire: 153 Young Women Trained in Banking and Microfinance Receive Certificates

In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 153 young women who benefited from the fourth edition of the "Girls Academy for Job" program initiated by the NGO PRO Kids with funding from German Cooperation through the Invest for Jobs program, received their certificates on November 13, 2026. The program aimed to equip young women, mainly from vulnerable backgrounds and single mothers, with practical skills in banking and microfinance.

The beneficiaries were divided into two streams: 75 in commercial banking and 75 in customer service. The four-month training program covered various domains, including sales techniques, commercial prospecting, reporting, and the requirements of banking and financial institutions. According to Aïcha Traoré, president of PRO Kids, the program's approach is centered on the needs of companies, ensuring that the training content aligns with the skills sought by partner structures.

The "Girls Academy for Job" program, launched in 2022, focuses on preparing beneficiaries to integrate into the professional world and access decent employment. Traoré emphasized that the program's objective is to enable beneficiaries to access decent jobs, not just internships. She also highlighted that the accompaniment of beneficiaries continues beyond training, until their professional insertion, with a current retention rate of over 70% within partner companies.

Representing the Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Insertion, and Civic Service, Kobon Boua Jean Lucian, praised the PRO Kids initiative and reaffirmed his department's commitment to supporting such actions in favor of young people's professional insertion. He encouraged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunities offered to build their professional careers.

The program has seen a growing number of beneficiaries over the years, with 68 in 2024 and 90 in 2025. The training provided the young women with practical skills in various areas, enabling them to acquire competencies that meet the requirements of banking and financial institutions.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote youth employment and economic empowerment in Côte d'Ivoire. By providing young women from vulnerable backgrounds with skills and training, the program aims to contribute to the country's economic development and reduce youth unemployment.

The certification ceremony, held in Abidjan's Plateau, marked a significant milestone in the program's success. With its focus on practical skills and professional insertion, the "Girls Academy for Job" program has made a positive impact on the lives of 153 young women, equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in the banking and microfinance sectors.

Key points

• The program has a retention rate of over 70% of beneficiaries within partner companies after recruitment.