The second edition of Chad's National Employment Forum (FNE 2026) began on November 10 at the Radisson Blu hotel in N'Djamena and will run until November 12. The event, held under the patronage of the President of the Republic, brings together job seekers, entrepreneurs, companies, and institutions to discuss ways to provide concrete prospects for Chad's youth. The forum addresses the challenge of a large, dynamic youth population facing a labor market struggling to absorb demand.
According to recent data cited by the organizers, informal employment dominates in West Africa, accounting for up to 90% of young people's jobs. The National Agency for Employment Promotion (ONAPE) designed the FNE as a national reference platform to accelerate intermediation policies, enhance youth employability, and create concrete opportunities. The forum aligns with the "Tchad Connexion 2030" vision and ONAPE's 2025-2030 strategic plan.
The FNE builds on work initiated in 2022 with WAPES-GIZ through the SamPES Africa project and the YouMatch program. This second edition will assess the implementation of FNE 2024 recommendations, consolidate achievements, and transition from vision to action. During the three-day event, the Employment Exchange will directly connect companies and job seekers, enabling employers to share job postings, conduct interviews, and select candidates.
Job seekers can deposit their CVs with ONAPE employment counselors, receive personalized guidance, and attend training sessions on job search techniques. They can also participate in interviews with present companies. Special support is planned for young women and vulnerable individuals. For those interested in entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneurial Village focuses on self-employment, access to financing for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and coaching for start-ups.
The Entrepreneurial Village is organized into four areas: an exhibition of projects financed by ONAPE, start-ups, SMEs, and PROJIACE winners; training sessions on business management, business plans, digital marketing, and access to financing; business and networking meetings with incubators and institutions; and a pitch session where projects are presented to technical and financial partners.
Projects will be evaluated based on relevance, innovation, economic viability, job creation potential, social impact, and presentation quality. A specific section is dedicated to women and young people, both in urban and rural areas, with activities generating income, adapted microfinance, and practical training. The forum aims to provide a platform for youth to access employment opportunities and for entrepreneurs to find skilled candidates.
The FNE 2026 event provides a comprehensive approach to addressing youth unemployment in Chad by facilitating connections between job seekers, entrepreneurs, and institutions. By offering training, networking opportunities, and access to financing, the forum seeks to create a more dynamic and inclusive labor market. The success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation and follow-up actions to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Key points
- The forum aims to connect young job seekers with entrepreneurs, companies, and institutions to address youth unemployment in Chad.
- The event features an Employment Exchange and an Entrepreneurial Village to support job creation and entrepreneurship.
- The forum aligns with Chad's "Tchad Connexion 2030" vision and ONAPE's strategic plan to enhance youth employability and create job opportunities.
