Washington: Nialé Kaba Advocates for Stronger Public–Private Partnerships to Strengthen Human Capital
On the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a high-level global conclave on human capital was held on Thursday, October 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The event, initiated by the World Bank’s Human Development Department, brought together an impressive array of leaders, including the President of Singapore, several ministers, World Bank governors, and representatives from 96 member countries of the Global Human Capital Network.
Representing Côte d’Ivoire, Madam Nialé Kaba, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, shared her country’s experience in investing in skills and employment.
The discussions centered on two key themes: Strengthening professional skills through closer collaboration between the private sector and employers, and the role of public investment in driving growth and job creation.
Taking the floor, Minister Kaba highlighted the progress achieved by Côte d’Ivoire through the Youth Employment and Skills Development Project (PEJEDEC), funded by the World Bank. She detailed how the program has actively engaged the private sector in designing training curricula, promoting youth employment through internships, apprenticeships, and work-study programs, and encouraging entrepreneurship via incubators and career transition initiatives.
Participants unanimously agreed that human capital remains the foundation of economic development and social well-being. They emphasized the importance of strengthening education systems, improving teacher training, and enhancing the attractiveness of teaching careers.
Another major topic discussed was the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), recognized as a strategic lever complementing human skills. The conclave underscored the need for education and training policies to adapt to rapid technological change.
Discussions also addressed regulatory reforms, the promotion of gender equality, support for the creative sector, and the establishment of new public–private partnerships to generate more productive and better-paid jobs.
At the close of the meeting, the 96 member countries of the Global Human Capital Network, including Côte d’Ivoire, reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced cooperation and experience sharing to build a strong, resilient, and inclusive human capital base as a driver of sustainable growth.
