Benin's Minister Awaou Baco received a delegation from Plan International Benin led by Bernadette Monge on 6 October 2026. Discussions focused on a partnership around vocational training, employment and entrepreneurship for young people and women.
Bringing training into line with local opportunities
The organisation presented interventions in agriculture, agro-food processing and solar energy, combining training with support for starting an activity. The ministry wants to better align these initiatives with national priorities and the economic potential of local areas.
The report describes a preparatory process: the areas of collaboration and implementation arrangements still need to be specified. It is therefore not a new call for applications open to all young people.
Coherence of the pathway matters after qualification
For a future entrepreneur, acquiring a skill is a first step. Using it then requires suitable tools, access to supplies and customers. Linking these elements makes it possible to reason from a trade and its local market.
Local support can thus help choose a training course according to the activities actually present around the beneficiary. It also helps place the initial support within the time needed to generate the first revenues.
Jobseekers also have an existing entry point: the ministry says advisers at ANPE's departmental branches receive people seeking salaried or self-employed work, to listen to them and direct them. This service is separate from the partnership being prepared with Plan International.