The financing of youth projects under Côte d'Ivoire's Projet emploi jeunes et développement des compétences (PEJEDEC) has encountered significant delays in the Gboklè region, specifically in the departments of Sassandra and Fresco. According to Kakou Affy Daniel, the chargé du suivi-évaluation of the project, only 51 out of 263 business plans have received funding, translating to a financing rate of 19%. This was revealed during the third review meeting on the progress of sub-project activities for 2026.
The breakdown of funded projects shows that the Cooperative d'épargne et de crédit (Coopec) in Fresco financed 14 out of 69 projects, representing about 20%, while the Coopec in Sassandra approved credits for 37 out of 194 projects, or nearly 19%. These figures fall short of the expectations of funding partners, particularly the World Bank, which aims for a financing rate of at least 80%. The slow pace of financing has raised concerns about the timely implementation of projects and the motivation of young beneficiaries.
To address the issue, Kakou Affy Daniel urged stakeholders, especially Coopec agencies, to expedite the processing of dossiers to enable project implementation within reasonable deadlines. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the motivation of young beneficiaries who are eagerly awaiting the implementation of their projects. The PEJEDEC coordinator in Gboklè, Anne Roselyne Beugré, suggested exploring alternative funding options to support young people who are at risk of losing motivation due to the delays.
The heads of the two Coopec agencies, Dah Ollo and Diomandé Michel, attributed the delays to irregularities in the completion of dossiers and the absence of required identity documents. They noted that these shortcomings could hinder the approval of credits. In response, Soumahoro Mermoz from the Bureau d'études de développement, Programme rural (BEDPR), pledged to strengthen support for subscribers to improve the quality of submitted dossiers.
A mission from the World Bank is scheduled to visit Sassandra from November 9 to 10, 2026, to assess the progress of projects funded in the Gboklè region under PEJEDEC. The mission will include meetings with local authorities, working sessions with the project cell, and field visits. This evaluation aims to gauge the effectiveness of the project and identify areas for improvement.
The PEJEDEC project aims to promote youth employment and skills development in Côte d'Ivoire. The program has been designed to support young entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and accessing financing. However, the current delays in financing have raised concerns about the project's overall impact and its ability to meet its objectives.
The stakeholders' meeting concluded with a call for concerted efforts to overcome the challenges facing the PEJEDEC project in the Gboklè region. The participants emphasized the need for collaboration and coordination to ensure the successful implementation of youth projects and the achievement of the program's goals.
Key points
- Only 19% of 263 business plans under Côte d'Ivoire's PEJEDEC project have been funded so far.
- The World Bank aims for a financing rate of at least 80% for the PEJEDEC project.
- A World Bank mission will visit Sassandra from November 9 to 10, 2026, to evaluate the progress of PEJEDEC projects in the Gboklè region.
