CEDEAO presents job opportunities to students and young graduates in Korhogo

The Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) presented job opportunities to students and young graduates at the University Péléforo Gon Coulibaly (UPGC) in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire, on November 13, 2026. The event, organized by the CEDEAO National Bureau in Côte d'Ivoire, aimed to introduce students and young graduates to internship, immersion programs, and recruitment opportunities within CEDEAO's organs and institutions. The theme of the meeting was "Existing job opportunities within CEDEAO's organs and institutions for students and young graduates in the community space."

The CEDEAO National Bureau in Côte d'Ivoire, under the aegis of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organized the meeting to better inform students and young graduates about CEDEAO's professional insertion devices. Sindou Dosso, head of the CEDEAO National Bureau in Côte d'Ivoire, emphasized that access to employment and matching skills with market needs are major challenges for community development. He highlighted that regional integration must provide graduates with concrete opportunities for training, mobility, and professional insertion.

Dr. Khare Diouf, CEDEAO's resident representative in Côte d'Ivoire, presented CEDEAO as an employer offering diverse perspectives, with multiple institutions such as the Community Parliament, Court of Justice, Investment and Development Bank, and the West African Health Organization. He cited several ways to access these opportunities, including the young professionals' immersion program, which allows graduates to acquire 12 months of paid experience, and the volunteer program promoting mobility between member states.

A high-level panel discussion on "From university to employment: making regional integration a lever for professional insertion and youth entrepreneurship" allowed for in-depth exchanges. Participants also received advice on crafting a curriculum vitae (CV) and preparing for recruitment interviews. According to presented data, 588 young graduates have benefited from CEDEAO's immersion program since 2017, while over 20,000 young people have been immersed in the agricultural sector through dedicated initiatives.

For the period 2026-2035, the CEDEAO's Youth and Sports Development Center has developed 27 mega-projects, including 17 dedicated to youth, seven to sports, and three to volunteering, with interventions focusing on training, entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional mobility. The meeting was attended by university and administrative authorities, prefectural members, local elected officials, and numerous students.

Through this initiative, the CEDEAO National Bureau aims to reduce the information deficit on community opportunities and promote more equitable access for young people to professional insertion devices. The event allowed students and young graduates to learn about available opportunities and how to access them. This initiative demonstrates CEDEAO's commitment to supporting the development of young people in the region.

The CEDEAO National Bureau's initiative is a step towards addressing the challenges faced by young people in accessing employment opportunities. By providing information and guidance, CEDEAO is empowering young graduates to take advantage of available opportunities and contribute to the region's development. The success of this initiative will be measured by the number of young people who benefit from CEDEAO's programs and projects.

Key points

• CEDEAO presented job opportunities to students and young graduates at the University Péléforo Gon Coulibaly in Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire.
• The organization aims to provide young people with concrete opportunities for training, mobility, and professional insertion.
• Since 2017, 588 young graduates have benefited from CEDEAO's immersion program.