A pivotal ceremony took place recently at the Kuweïte de Farcha space in N’Djamena’s first arrondissement, marking the official launch of a program aimed at integrating two hundred young people into green professions. This initiative, specifically focusing on market gardening, is a collaborative effort between the N’Djamena City Hall and the Office National pour la Promotion de l’Emploi (ONAPE), operating under the framework of the Project for the Integration of Youth into Green Trades (PROJEV).

Mahamat Alhafiz Idriss, who heads the agricultural credit desk at ONAPE, underscored the project’s core mission: to equip young individuals with training and ongoing support, enabling them to establish income-generating activities. The Mayor of the first arrondissement, Djamal Moussa Yaya, commended the concerted efforts of the participating institutions, emphasizing their commitment to actively addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment in Chad.

Nassouradine Abakar Kessou, the Director-General of ONAPE, highlighted the immense challenge Chad faces regarding youth employment. Despite the nation’s significant potential, he noted that rates of unemployment and underemployment remain exceptionally high among the younger demographic. In response to this pressing reality, Kessou stressed that vocational training and the placement of youth in green jobs are indispensable strategies for fostering sustainable employment opportunities across the country.

Speaking on behalf of Mayor Sanoussi Hassana Abdoulaye, Seid Adji Seid, the Deputy Chief of Staff for N’Djamena City Hall, elaborated on the comprehensive MIDI plan. This strategic framework, he explained, is built upon five key pillars: civic responsibility and republican values, high-quality practical training, entrepreneurial support, urban agricultural transition, and the promotion of cultural and artistic industries. Seid Adji Seid presented the MIDI plan as a tangible, ambitious, and localized solution from the Commune, designed to meet the legitimate aspirations of young people for a dignified quality of life.

Addressing the beneficiaries directly, Seid Adji Seid proclaimed a transformative message: “From this moment forward, you are no longer job seekers awaiting an opportunity. Instead, you are becoming the ambassadors of our capital city’s ecological transition. The green professions you are entering today are not merely temporary vocations; they are careers that harmoniously blend economic development, the preservation of our environment, and the improved quality of life for all our citizens.”

Following their comprehensive technical training, these 200 young individuals are slated to commence their market gardening operations on a dedicated ten-hectare plot, putting their newly acquired skills into practice.