Training of experts for
the African industry

In many African countries, infrastructure development can hardly keep pace with population growth and increasing industrialisation. Massive investments are needed in electricity supply, water treatment and disposal, digitalisation, and numerous other sectors. However, the expansion of infrastructure is not only a question of financing. It also needs trained professionals to plan, build and operate the new facilities. This also applies to renewable energies. Companies from West Africa repeatedly complain about the lack of sufficiently trained applicants for technical professions, but the Ivorian training system in its current form cannot provide enough skilled workers. This is slowing down economic growth, and urgently needed jobs are not created.

The Eranove group of companies, based in France, is active in several African countries in the areas of infrastructure, water, and electricity supply. In a consortium with three companies, Eranove S.A. has developed a programme to train industrial specialists and managers for the African continent. The aim is to qualify them for professions that are in high demand and to provide them with sound technical training that also teaches them about digital business processes and marketing. Three types of training are offered: Training for career starters with a duration of 1 to 3 years, as well as in-service training and e-learning offers aimed at international participants.

The training concept of the academy lets participants gain practical experience in the companies of the Eranove Group already during their training. The courses will be held at existing facilities in Abidjan, including in the Bingerville and Yopougon neighbourhoods. The Eranove Academy is meant to become a regional brand known by the public, companies and professionals for its excellent trainings and the high level of qualification of its graduates. The opening of the academy will be accompanied by a marketing campaign in Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring countries. Eranove is specifically addressing large companies and public institutions.

The graduates of the academy are expected to find employment with large companies in the water, electricity or food industry following their training. They can also offer their services as self-employed technicians. The circle of potential employers is not limited to Côte d'Ivoire, as the academy explicitly addresses participants from other countries in the region with its training offer. To make it possible for them to participate, some training courses rely on e-learning formats. Bilingual training content and part-time courses for professionals are also planned. The training programmes will start after the two-year investment phase.

Around 130 new jobs in teaching and administration will be created at the training centre. The consortium partners Compagnie Ivoirienne d'Electricité (CIE) and Société de Distribution d'Eau de la Côte d'Ivoire (SODECI) have agreed to take on 980 graduates within three years of the start of the training programme. In total, around 14,000 people are expected to go through the academy's various programmes in three years. This also includes the part-time courses, and the e-learning offers.

The consortium around Eranove S.A. plans to invest a total of 20.67 million euros. The Facility Investing for Employment grants a subsidy of 5.17 million euros (25%). The funds will be used to finance investments in technical equipment for the training centres, construction measures for student accommodation and restaurants, and the installation of a solar system.

The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) of KfW Development Bank is part of the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition" of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). With its support, the Facility wants to remove barriers that prevent the creation of new and better jobs in the private sector.