Applications are open in Benin for 2,500 young job-seekers to access reskilling programmes and apprenticeship placements in agriculture and renewable energy. The opportunity is supported by the African Development Bank and the Government of Benin under the Skills Development for Employment in Priority Sectors Project.
The project aims to improve youth employability by helping young people gain practical skills and qualifications that respond to labour market needs. It is designed to support young people seeking better opportunities for professional integration and long-term employment.
With a total cost of CFAF 57.7 billion, the project combines investment in training infrastructure with direct support for youth employment. Its infrastructure component includes the construction of agricultural and vocational technical secondary schools in three municipalities.
The training component will be implemented by the Agency for the Development of Technical Education and Vocational Training. It will benefit young people across Benin, with women expected to make up 30 percent of participants.
Out of the 2,500 beneficiaries, 1,500 unemployed graduates will take part in reskilling programmes. These programmes are intended to help graduates acquire new competencies that improve their chances of entering sectors with strong employment potential.
Another 1,000 young people with little or no formal education will be placed in company-based apprenticeship programmes. This approach is expected to provide hands-on experience and help participants gain practical skills directly linked to workplace needs.
To ensure broad awareness of the opportunity, the National Employment Agency and ADET conducted a national information campaign from 1 to 5 June 2026. The campaign covered all 77 municipalities in Benin and was organized with support from local authorities and African Development Bank teams.
During the awareness sessions, young people received information on available training options, eligibility criteria and application procedures. The campaign aimed to ensure that potential applicants across the country could access details about the programme.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts by the Government of Benin and the African Development Bank to strengthen youth skills and expand access to employment. By focusing on agriculture and renewable energy, the project supports sectors with strong potential for economic growth and job creation.
Overall, the training opportunity represents an important investment in Benin’s young workforce. By combining reskilling, apprenticeships and vocational infrastructure development, the programme aims to help young people prepare for the labour market and build stronger career prospects.
