The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in strategic partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Kaizen Excellence Center (KEC), and Japanese corporate giants Yokogawa Electric Corporation and NEC Corporation, has launched a comprehensive skills training initiative. Designed specifically for returned migrants and young Ethiopians, the program aims to bridge the gap between local talent and the burgeoning opportunities linked to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As the AfCFTA aims to create the world’s largest free trade area, the demand for a workforce equipped with specialized business, digital, and logistics skills is rising. This initiative, hosted at the Kaizen Excellence Center in Addis Ababa, serves as a direct response to this need. The initial three-day intensive program saw 31 entry-level professionals engaged in rigorous training modules.
Under the guidance of Yokogawa experts, participants delved into critical subjects such as business ethics, export control, logistics, entrepreneurship, and aerospace technologies. Furthermore, the curriculum covered trade procedures relevant to the Gulf Cooperation Council, providing a broader international perspective for the participants. By fostering these competencies, the program is not only preparing youth to enter AfCFTA-linked value chains but is also directly advancing the African Union’s Skills Mobility Partnership Framework.
The involvement of the private sector marks a transformative shift in migration and development strategy. Recognizing that youth empowerment requires more than just academic knowledge, the program incorporates practical career pathways. Yokogawa Electric Corporation has committed to evaluating the performance of these participants, with the potential for top-tier candidates to secure internships. This includes coveted international internship opportunities within the company’s supply chain division in the Middle East and Africa.
Takeshi Hasegawa of Yokogawa Electric Corporation emphasized the company’s commitment to strengthening African talent pipelines. “Through this training and our internship pathway in Bahrain, we aim to build a bridge between African talent and global industry needs,” he noted.
Complementing the business-focused training, NEC Corporation joined forces with IOM to conduct a specialized one-day basic programming course for 30 vulnerable migrant returnees, including individuals from Myanmar. This component of the project is specifically designed to combat the digital divide, providing participants with essential digital skills that are increasingly necessary for modern employment.
The initiative is part of a larger, Government of Japan-funded project titled “Creating Smarter Borders: Enhancing Regular and Safe Mobility Pathways, Connectivity and Integration in Africa through Digitization.” This project, implemented by the IOM and the African Union Commission, underscores a multidimensional approach to migration management.
The success of this program reflects a growing consensus that sustainable development in Ethiopia is intrinsically linked to how the nation manages its labor migration. Daniel Teressa, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Skills, praised the initiative during the launch ceremony on 15 July, stating, “today’s launch shows how strategic collaboration can give young people and returned migrants the skills, confidence, and networks they need to thrive in a changing regional economy. AfCFTA will only succeed if youth can seize its opportunities.”
