Senegal has inaugurated two new vocational training centres in Diourbel and Linguère as part of a national programme to establish 23 facilities aimed at expanding skills development and improving youth employment.

The centres, Diourbel 2 and Linguère 2, located in Ouarkhokh, were officially opened on November 5 by Employment and Vocational Training Minister Idrissa Samb.

The project is backed by 83 billion CFA francs in funding through a partnership with the Mitrelli Group. Once fully operational, the network is expected to train 30,000 young people each year.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Samb outlined the government's long-term targets, which include training 700,000 qualified technicians by 2029 and five million professionals by 2050.

The initiative forms part of Senegal's Vision 2050 development strategy, which places skills development and human capital at the centre of the country's economic transformation.

The new facilities will serve young people in the Diourbel and Louga regions and surrounding areas. They will offer training programmes ranging from the Certificate of Professional Aptitude (CAP) to the Higher Technician's Certificate (BTS), with courses tailored to local economic needs.

The government says the programmes will focus on practical skills and involve businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises and local craftspeople to strengthen links between vocational training and the labour market.

The expansion of vocational training is part of Senegal's efforts to develop a skilled workforce capable of supporting industrial growth, strengthening local economies and improving employment opportunities for young people.