TOGO LAUNCHES BOLD PUSH TO TACKLE YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT WITH €50M TECHNICAL TRAINING PROJECT

The approval of €50 million from EBID aims to build six state-of-the-art technical and vocational training centres in Togo.

The ecowas bank for investment and development Togo Development Construction Vocational training centers Employment.
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)
The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)


In a sweeping new initiative to combat youth unemployment and boost job-ready skills, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved €50 million for the construction of six ultra-modern technical and vocational education training (TVET) centres across Togo.

The investment, greenlit during EBID’s 92nd board meeting on June 30, 2025, is part of a broader regional push to harness human capital as a catalyst for economic growth. The centres will be executed by Dubai-based Planet One Group, known for delivering large-scale educational infrastructure across West Africa.

Each of the six centres will be equipped to train a combined 3,480 young Togolese annually in high-demand sectors including mechanics, electricity, digital technology, building construction, and agri-food processing. The initiative directly supports the goals of Togo’s “Roadmap 2025,” which prioritizes skills development and employment as critical pillars of national transformation.

Beyond the initial six centres, Planet One plans to construct or rehabilitate 28 TVET facilities across Togo, including 16 new institutions and the upgrade of 12 existing ones. The company is also preparing to roll out 21 STEM-focused schools across the country. These efforts will bring state-of-the-art training closer to underserved rural communities and urban youth alike.

The TVET centres will feature cutting-edge, globally certified equipment and curricula, developed in partnership with the University of Stirling (UAE) and the Scottish Qualifications Authority. This global alignment is aimed at ensuring that graduates can meet both regional labour demands and international standards.

The €50 million TVET project is part of a larger €174 million and $125 million funding package EBID approved for projects across West Africa in energy, education, and industrial development. The Bank the financial arm of ECOWAS plays a pivotal role in backing long-term, sustainable projects that empower the region’s youth and workforce.

Having already modernised 48 training centres in Ghana and launched similar programmes in Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, Planet One’s expanding footprint reflects a growing consensus across West Africa: equipping young people with practical, 21st-century skills is key to unlocking inclusive growth.

Construction in Togo is expected to commence soon, with full operational rollout anticipated within 24 months. Stakeholders hope the model will be replicated across the region as a blueprint for education-driven economic resilience.

By strategically aligning skills development with private sector needs, Togo is betting big on its youth and taking a bold step toward a more inclusive and competitive economy.

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