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GWANI

In Niger, where over 70% of the population is under the age of 30 and youth unemployment remains a critical challenge, the GWANI project stands as a strategic and forward-looking response. Rooted in the country’s socio-economic realities, GWANI aims to transform vocational training into a powerful lever for inclusion and resilience. By connecting training programmes to the real needs of the local labour market and actively involving both public and private actors, the project empowers young Nigerien women and men, to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national development.
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niamey
 
13.4886443
2.1057549
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dosso
 
13.0504833
3.2080991
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maradi
13.5009779
7.103639599999999
Niger
Project duration
2023 - 2027
Financed by
  • Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
PARTNER
  • Ministère en charge de la formation professionnelle
  • Observatoire national de l’emploi et de la formation
  • Conseil national de l’enseignement et de la formation professionnelle et technique
  • Fonds d’appui à la formation professionnelle et à l’apprentissage (FAFPA)
  • Agence nigérienne de promotion de l’emploi
  • Conseils régionaux
  • Commissions régionales à l’emploi
  • Mairies
  • Organisations professionnelles et faîtières

Background

Niger is one of the youngest countries in the world, with over 70% of its population under the age of 30. Despite this demographic potential, youth unemployment and underemployment remain critical challenges. The vocational training system, while expanding, is still largely disconnected from the realities of the labour market. Curricula are often outdated, and the private sector is rarely involved in shaping training programmes or managing training centres.

This disconnect results in a significant skills gap, leaving many young people, especially women, ill-equipped to transition into employment. Social norms, limited access to technical training, and a lack of post-training support further exacerbate inequalities. Vulnerable youth, including those in remote or conflict-affected regions, face even greater barriers to economic inclusion.

 

The Program

The GWANI project is a strategic response to Niger’s youth employment crisis. It aims to develop a vocational training system that is regulated, attractive, and aligned with the real needs of the labour market. By actively involving both public institutions and private sector actors, particularly in agriculture and semi-industrial domains, the project seeks to improve the employability and labour market integration of young women and men aged 15 to 35, including the most vulnerable.

The current vocational training offer in Niger does not adequately reflect the needs of the formal and informal labour markets. Young people are trained in trades that are not in demand, and employers struggle to find qualified workers. The lack of coordination between public and private actors, and the absence of mechanisms to monitor and adapt training to market trends, contribute to persistent unemployment and economic vulnerability.

GWANI addresses these challenges by promoting a more inclusive, responsive, and coordinated vocational training system. It builds on lessons learned from previous initiatives and aligns with national strategies for employment and youth empowerment.

Our Approach

GWANI adopts a multi-level strategy to reform vocational training and promote inclusive employment:

  • Market Alignment: Establishing mechanisms that allow training providers to respond to labour market trends and qualification needs. This includes a national digital platform and regional employment commissions.
  • Skills Development: Enhancing the employability of youth through training in high-potential sectors such as construction, agro-food processing, and digital technologies.
  • Inclusive Access: Designing tailored training pathways for vulnerable youth and providing post-training support to facilitate their integration into the labour market.
  • Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI): Promoting the participation of women in technical and traditionally male-dominated professions through the GWANA network, which showcases female role models and challenges gender stereotypes.

Expected Results (Phase 1)

  • A responsive mechanism for adjusting training supply to market needs is operational
  • 7,200 youth trained in construction, agro-food processing, and ICT in Dosso, Maradi, and Niamey
  • 12,700 vulnerable youth integrated into the labour market, including:
    • 6,000 in Tillabéri, Tahoua, and Diffa
    • 6,700 via FAFPA in Maradi and Dosso

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News

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