Faced with the persistent challenge of unemployment despite robust economic growth, Côte d'Ivoire is receiving a new boost. On Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the KfW headquarters in Abidjan, the Investment Facility for Employment (IFE) officially launched its new call for projects under the banner of the international initiative "Invest for Jobs" .

A strategic German-African partnership

Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), this initiative does not simply inject funds; it aims to build an ecosystem where decent employment and local skills development are priorities.

“We are looking for quality candidates to create thousands of jobs together in the coming years,” said Jügen Fechter , Director of the KfW-Abidjan office.

What you need to know about the 2026 call for projects

Applications are open from April 15 to June 30, 2026. This opportunity is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders: private companies, NGOs, the public sector and local authorities.

1. Priority sectors

The program targets areas with a strong social and economic impact:

1. Agriculture and agribusiness.
3. Energy and access to water .
4. Any strategic sector that creates sustainable jobs.

2. Financing arrangements

The IFE offers substantial grants ranging from €800,000 to €10 million . The co-financing rate varies depending on the nature of the project:

Project Type	Share of IFE funding
Non-profit (no income)	Up to 90%
Non-profit (with revenue)	Up to 75%
Profitable (creation of third-party jobs)	Up to 35%
Profitable (direct job creation)	Up to 25%

How to participate?

The selection process is rigorous and is divided into two key stages to guarantee the viability of the investments:

1. Concept notes: Shortlisting based on a concise presentation of the idea.
2. Detailed proposals: In-depth evaluation for candidates selected in phase 1.

Note: True to its ethical principles, KfW excludes any project related to alcohol, drugs or weapons.

A lever for sustainable transformation

Beyond the financial aspect, Hubert Hourizene (Senior Consultant KFW/IFE) emphasizes the importance of innovation and inclusion. For Côte d'Ivoire, this initiative represents a concrete tool for transforming growth figures into real opportunities for young people and local workers.

Further information: Interested candidates are invited to consult the official Invest for Jobs platform to access the full eligibility criteria.